Transcript Highlights:

• Sewer districts... Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Sewer districts, friends.
• If you think about it, sewer districts are similar to, or sewer district fees...
• If you think about it, sewer districts are similar to, or sewer district fees are similar to property
• Sewer districts also have the ability to limit the number of sewer hookups.
• For sewer districts, not so much. So, and the fiscal note was... ...sewer districts, not so much.

Transcript Highlights:

• And replacement of some of our water and sewer lines.
• , and storm sewer systems within the Northwest.
• We just started our water and sewer project, Phase One.
• Our sewer was rated in the top 15% on the project priority list.
• Gravity service lines discharge from the residences and businesses.

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe that to be a certainty through Public Water Sewer District No. 12.
• We're trying to get this lined out on whether it's this room or not. Mr.
• We'll go ahead and continue, and we'll try to get this lined out when we come back.
• There was built at the time the water district had not put lines going north that far.
• I believe that happened in 19— The water district had not put lines going north that far.

Committee: House Utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Northeast Ohio regional sewers perspective sewer district's perspective, PFAS has not emerged
• There is a private side for lead service lines.
• the sewer side.
• Now I'd like to switch to lead service lines.
• cheap you're talking about $10,000 per lead service line.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, water infrastructure, lead service lines, federal reauthorization, sustainability, cybersecurity

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions surrounding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and its implications for local water systems. Various witnesses highlighted the transformative impact of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has provided an unprecedented amount of funding to help address long-standing issues in drinking water infrastructure, particularly concerning lead service line replacements and sustainability in water management. The discussions emphasized the urgent need for federal reauthorization to continue supporting these initiatives, as many rural and disadvantaged communities still face substantial barriers in upgrading their water systems. Additionally, cybersecurity risks were noted, raising concerns over the vulnerability of water systems across the nation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an elected sewer and water commissioner, a Walpole resident, a ratepayer, and a voter.
• So my grandmother couldn't vote for me if I was running for sewer and water back then.
• My grandmother couldn't vote for me if I was running for sewer and water back then.
• For full disclosure, I'm not on the Water and Sewer Commission.
• So... not on the Water and Sewer Commission.

Bills: H5426 , H5434 , S3084 , S3087 , S3088 , S3092

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on several local bills and home rule petitions. The first major item was Senate Bill 3092, authorizing the city of Newton to issue pension obligation bonds or notes. Senator Cindy Cream and Mayor Mark Laredo’s chief of staff, Dana Hansen, testified in support, saying the measure would help Newton manage its unfunded pension liability, preserve its AAA bond rating, and create about $10 million in budget flexibility over five years. Senator John Keenan supported the bill but cautioned that pension obligation bonds depend heavily on market timing and assumptions about future funding and hiring. The committee then heard testimony on a Boylston bill, Senate Bill 3088, allowing the town to contract for a newly created police lieutenant position. Boylston officials said the town’s growth and public safety needs justify a second-in-command role with supervisory, internal affairs, and emergency command duties, and that a contract is needed because of the position’s management-level responsibilities. Representative Wells asked why a lieutenant position required a home rule petition, and the chief explained that town counsel advised the arrangement functioned more like an employment contract than a standard personnel-plan position. Next, the committee took up House Bill 5426 for North Attleboro, a charter amendment package. Town Manager Mike Borg said the bill makes limited local changes: correcting charter language, expanding the Board of Health from three to five members, and requiring write-in candidates to meet a minimum vote threshold comparable to ballot candidates. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3087 for Walpole, which would create a water and sewer advisory board and change the governance structure for the town’s water and sewer system. Town officials supported the bill as a way to improve planning and accountability, but several elected water and sewer commissioners and a town meeting member opposed it, arguing it would abolish an elected board, reduce voter representation, and concentrate power in appointed officials. After testimony concluded, the committee adjourned without taking a vote in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, sewer lines are not hermetically sealed.
• Case in point, a sewer line failure.
• So, for example, under Lake Hodges, there's a sewer line from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido.
• Do we need to see bluff protection, for example, where a sewer line happens to lie under it?
• So, for example, under Lake Hodges, there's a sewer line from Rancho Barnardo to Escondito.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on infrastructure, pollution, climate resilience, public health, access, and economic impacts of sea level rise in California, with an emphasis on San Diego and the Bay Area. Chair Tasha Boerner Horvath opened by describing the committee’s purpose, the state’s sea level rise action planning, and the need for better monitoring and early warning systems. She also referenced her prior bills AB 66 and AB 72, which supported Scripps research on coastal bluff collapse warning capabilities. Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza later joined and emphasized that sea level rise affects not only coastal communities but inland areas as well, and that the issue should inform future legislative and budget decisions. In the first panel, Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps Institution of Oceanography described observed sea level rise of roughly 0.8 to 0.9 feet since the early 1900s, with acceleration expected by mid-century and potentially much greater rise by 2100 depending on emissions. He highlighted flooding, groundwater rise, beach and cliff erosion, salinization, and risks to transportation, sewage, ports, and national security. Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board discussed how sea level rise affects wastewater systems, stormwater, contaminated sites, wetlands, and coastal groundwater basins, and said the board is requiring climate adaptation planning, updating stormwater permits, and seeking more flexible state permitting and mitigation tools. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better mapping, more monitoring, and more state funding, especially if federal support from NOAA and other agencies declines. The second panel addressed public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described how sea level rise, pollution, and access barriers threaten the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, especially for underserved communities and youth programs that rely on safe, welcoming access to the ocean. He stressed the cultural and spiritual importance of coastal access and the need for water safety and environmental education. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission explained that the Bay Area faces major economic exposure from sea level rise, citing a regional estimate of $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses from inaction, and said BCDC is working with local governments under SB 272 on shoreline adaptation planning, funding, and regulatory innovation. Members discussed the tension between environmental permitting and the need to move projects faster, including the possibility of planned retreat in some areas and the use of simultaneous permitting and longer-term state authority to streamline adaptation work. In the final panel, Philip Gibbons of the Port of San Diego described the port’s climate adaptation efforts and its vulnerability assessments under AB 691. He said the port manages state tidelands, supports maritime commerce and recreation, and is already seeing flooding at king tides and during El Niño events, including storm-drain backflow and damage to bikeways and parks. He explained that future sea level rise could inundate major port areas and disrupt operations, underscoring the need for continued planning, mitigation, and infrastructure investment. The hearing did not take formal votes, but it concluded with a clear call for more science, funding, coordination, and regulatory streamlining to prepare California’s coast and nearby communities for worsening sea level rise impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have collapsing sewer lines and sags. I'm going to go to our sewer rates.
• > collapsing sewer lines and collapsing sewer lines and sags.<00:42:37.280><c> Um</c><00:42:38.079><c
• system, and extension of the water and sanitary sewer lines.
• You're very welcome, Representative Scraba. sanitary sewer lines.
• Additionally, we sanitary sewer lines.

Bills: HF2418 , HF1666 , HF232 , HF344 , HF402 , HF431 , HF468 , HF547 , HF583 , HF1476 , HF1711 , HF2787 , HF2788 , HF3207

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're using that funding right now to do the design of the sewer lines leading up to the treatment
• To do the design of the sewer lines leading up to the treatment plant.
• So they have a lot of what they call I and I, infiltration, coming into the sewer lines.
• But they are investing in the design of that sewer collection line right now with Clean Water SRF funding
• And again, that's just addressing really the sewer line issues that Mr. Sanchez talked about.

Bills: SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh first is a line item you today.
• lines, sewer service laterals, force mains, manholes, grinder pump stations, and a wastewater pump station
• lines, sewer service laterals, force mains, manholes, grinder pump stations, and a wastewater pump station
• So they have to put cameras in the line, or they have to smoke test the line to see what needs to be
• </c> line or they have to smoke test the line line or they have to smoke test the line to<00:21:56.400

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and a quorum call, then the committee approved the prior meeting minutes. Staff reported several informational items, including University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System bond allocations. The committee then approved a line-item appropriation increase of $350,000 in federal funds for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Cumberland Forest Conservation Program, along with two Department of Military Affairs projects: the Ashland Readiness Center window replacement and the MATES HVAC replacement at Fort Knox. It also approved four larger maintenance-pool projects without further action: HVAC and smoke evacuation work at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, HVAC and hot water tank replacements at Oakwood, a Green Bank energy-savings performance project across state facilities, and roof replacement at Lake Barkley Lodge. Members asked about the prison project, the roof procurement process, and whether minority-owned firms receive special bidding preference; staff said capital projects are awarded through open low-bid procurement with qualification and warranty requirements, and that minority participation is preferred but not a bidding criterion. Two lease modifications were approved for Franklin County agencies: an expansion and renovation for the Auditor of Public Accounts and a downsizing and renovation for the Kentucky Workers Compensation Funding Commission. The committee also approved Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including a Monticello sewer loan, several Cleaner Water Program grants and reallocations, and a House Bill 1 water grant that required no action. Members questioned engineering costs and were told the KIA board reviews technical details and anomalies before approval. Finally, the committee approved six economic development grants: one EDF grant for V Simple in Jefferson County and five KPDI EDF grants for projects in Breckinridge, Erlanger, Todd, and Washington counties. The last action item was approval of Western Kentucky University’s up-to-$10 million general receipts revenue bond issue for athletic facilities. An informational Kentucky Housing Corporation multifamily bond item prompted concern from members about rising per-unit costs for affordable housing, and they requested further explanation from the housing corporation at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm on town water and town sewer.
• I'm on town water and town sewer.
• </c> provided they follow um water sewer provided they follow um water sewer standards<01:05:19.039><
• </c> Community sewer Community sewer infrastructure<03:23:59.479><c> um</c><03:23:59.920><c> a</c><03
• Obviously, it all has to be in line with what the local sewer system will support, and I agree with that

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, sewer lines are not hermetically sealed.
• Case in point, a sewer line failure.
• So, for example, under Lake Hodges, there's a sewer line from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido.
• Do we need to see bluff protection, for example, where a sewer line happens to lie under it?
• So, for example, under Lake Hodges, there's a sewer line from Rancho Barnardo to Escondito.

Summary: The hearing of the Select Committee on Sea Level Rise and the California Economy focused on the impacts of rising seas on coastal infrastructure, pollution, public health, access, and local economies, with an emphasis on San Diego and broader statewide examples. Chair Tasha Boerner opened by describing sea level rise, flooding, bluff collapse, and the state’s sea level rise action planning, and noted her prior bills that helped launch a Scripps bluff-collapse early warning pilot. Panel one featured Dr. Mark Merrifield of Scripps and Dave Gibson of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, who described accelerating sea level rise, groundwater rise, flooding, erosion, and risks to sewage, transportation, ports, and contaminated sites. Gibson stressed that agencies are already adapting through permits, climate resolutions, stormwater updates, and infrastructure planning, but said the work will require major funding, better mapping, and streamlined permitting. Members then discussed early warning systems, groundwater inundation, federal funding uncertainty, and how state authority might fill gaps left by changing federal clean water rules. Boerner and Assembly Members David Alvarez and Jessica Caloza highlighted that sea level rise affects inland communities too, and asked about local mapping, long-term planning, and the cost of protecting or relocating vulnerable infrastructure. Former Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said the city had the maps and plans but needed money, and urged faster permitting and more investment in protective projects. The panel also discussed the tension between environmental mitigation and urgent adaptation, with Gibson suggesting expanded mitigation banks and state revolving fund support, while Boerner and others noted the need to prioritize projects that protect communities and public health over bureaucratic delay. Panel two shifted to public health, equitable access, and local economies. Ramon Chiras of Un Mar de Colores described outdoor equity work that introduces children and families, especially from historically excluded communities, to the ocean and teaches water safety and stewardship. He said sea level rise, pollution, and access restrictions threaten cultural continuity and free community programs, especially in places like Imperial Beach and the Tijuana River Valley. Jessica Fane of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission described how sea level rise threatens Bay Area tourism, airports, roads, ports, and neighborhoods built on fill, estimating roughly $96 billion in adaptation costs versus $230 billion in potential losses if no action is taken. She said BCDC is working under SB 272 on regional shoreline adaptation plans, local government coordination, and regulatory innovation, while emphasizing the need for sustained funding and science. In the final panel, the Port of San Diego’s Philip Gibbons began describing the port’s climate adaptation work, including vulnerabilities to king tides, storm drain backflow, and long-term inundation that could affect roads, buildings, terminals, and parks. He said the port is using climate planning to assess risks and prepare for sea level rise while maintaining maritime commerce, recreation, and environmental stewardship. The hearing ended with a shared call for more funding, better data, streamlined permitting, and coordinated state, local, and federal action to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it a situation where there is no sewer available in that area to hook up to sewer versus installing
• The county line that's not possible to just run a sewer line for 30 miles for 40-50 homes.
• Ocean Reef is already sewered, Florida. It sounds great - septic to sewer, septic to sewer.
• We're starting at line 177.
• That's line Representative Duggan: 186-187.

Transcript Highlights:

• susceptible to sewer system sewers susceptible to sewer system overflows,<00:44:16.960><c> and</c><00
• 8-inch water line.
• </c><00:48:23.200><c> This</c> water line to an 8 in water line.
• This water line to an 8 in water line.
• </c> for um the highway 23 sewer extension. for um the highway 23 sewer extension.

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a roll call, approval of the prior meeting minutes, and a set of informational reports. Those reports covered University of Louisville research equipment purchases, a Kent County school district debt issue for elementary school renovations, the University of Kentucky’s planned use of construction management risk for a new engineering building, APA certification reports for underwriter and bond counsel selection committees, and a KCNA status report on infrastructure upgrades and purchases. The main presentation was an informational update from the Louisville Arena Authority. Board representatives said the arena was created to drive economic development and reported about $1.4 billion in economic impact from 2010 to 2013. They explained the authority’s financial structure, including arena operating revenues, TIF revenues, debt service, and a long-term capital plan for major repairs and replacements. Members questioned the low net revenue figures, the long timeline before TIF revenues are projected to exceed debt service, the size of capital expenditure spikes, and the University of Louisville revenue-sharing arrangement. The authority said the $2.42 million annual UL payment is fixed under a 2017 refinancing agreement, while other amounts vary with ticket sales and related revenues. They also said the COVID-era state and Metro funds, combined with authority cash, were used to prepay debt and reduce interest, lowering the debt service schedule. The committee then considered and approved a new capital project for a new HVAC system for the student wellness center pool area. The project, presented by university staff, was approved by the board and required committee action. The committee took a roll call vote, and the project passed unanimously. Finally, Janice Thomas of the state budget office presented two tourism, arts, and heritage cabinet grid resilience projects at Kincaid Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Down Village State Resort Park. Each project costs $7,834,600 and is funded mostly by a federal grid resilience grant, with the remainder from state utility infrastructure replacement funds and energy policy funds. Staff explained that the projects will move park electrical service ownership and maintenance to regional utilities, allowing the state to exit the infrastructure-management role while continuing to pay utility bills through normal metering. The committee approved the action item by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• But here's the bottom line. My constituents want to vote.
• It is one of the lower, medium, whore-line cigars that I enjoy selling and I enjoy myself.
• It is one of the lower, medium, whore-line cigars that I enjoy selling and I enjoy myself.
• These are outside of four county water or sewer districts, so there's no...
• So the customers that are dependent and they have to use this company for sewer disposal.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We have expanded our treatment sewer and individual sewer systems to over 130 users in the sewer district's
• This equates to a lot of moving parts. sewer and individual sewer systems to sewer and individual sewer
• </c> voters within the district the Sewer voters within the district the Sewer District<00:38:27.640>
• And then the last two lines of the amendment, lines 1.9 and 1.10, are fiscal matters that Mr.
• line 1.8 of the on line 2.15 of the bill line 1.8 of the amendment<00:45:43.280><c> we're</c><00:45:

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:22.119><c> 8</c> that's great um beyond that uh line 8 that's great um beyond that uh line
• 9 and Roman numeral 3 on line 13, where we have municipal infrastructure such as water and sewer, where
• So if I have a property, a water line runs by me, the sewer line runs by me, but I'm not hooked up, I
• <c> the</c><01:18:38.320><c> sewer</c> property water line runs by me the sewer property water line runs
• by me the sewer line<01:18:38.800><c> runs</c><01:18:39.080><c> by</c><01:18:39.280><c> me</c><01:18

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• lines.
• lines.
• systems</c> sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems within<00:46
• </c> ensure clean water, reliable sewer ensure clean water, reliable sewer systems,<00:53:50.400><c>
• </c> main breaks along our main water line. main breaks along our main water line.

Bills: HF568 , HF433 , HF1689 , HF3135 , HF3137 , HF3145 , HF2887 , HF2819 , HF2802 , HF2664 , HF2267 , HF799 , HF800 , HF3049 , HF296 , HF580 , HF1438 , HF1237

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're using that funding right now to do the design of the sewer lines leading up to the treatment
• plant. ...to do the design of the sewer lines leading up to the treatment plant.
• So they have a lot of what they call I and I, infiltration, coming into the sewer lines.
• They have to treat about 150,000 gallons per day. ...sewer lines.
• But they are investing in the design of that sewer collection line right now with Clean Water SRF funding

Bills: SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 22, which would allow certain motor vehicle manufacturers, including electric vehicle companies, to be licensed as dealers in New Mexico and sell/service directly to consumers. Supporters, including the sponsor’s office, Taxation and Revenue, Rivian, and clean-energy advocates, argued the bill would expand consumer choice, lower prices, improve EV access and service in-state, and bring new investment and jobs without eliminating existing franchise dealers. Opponents, including auto dealer associations, chambers of commerce, and franchise owners, argued the measure would weaken the franchise system, harm local businesses and jobs, reduce community reinvestment, and could disadvantage rural and tribal communities. After questions about trade-ins, tribal land sales, tax effects, and economic impacts, the committee voted to table SB 22 by a vote of 7-2. The committee then took up Senate Bill 310, which appropriates $1.1 million to the New Mexico Environment Department for planning, design, and construction improvements to the Mora mutual domestic water system. Supporters described aging water and wastewater infrastructure, an AOC related to discharge into the Mora River, flood and fire impacts, and heavy-metal contamination concerns in private wells. They said the project is part of a larger effort to address inflow and infiltration, improve treatment capacity, and protect public health, with additional funding already sought through the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund and the Water Trust Board. Some senators questioned whether the request should instead go through existing water funding programs and raised concerns about piecemeal financing and the Environment Department’s role, but others supported the need for the project. The committee approved SB 310 on a 5-3 due-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our our sewer system in our facility.
• </c><00:19:01.600><c> rates,</c> affordability gap for sewer rates, affordability gap for sewer rates
• That's just the bottom line.
• Uh we had a and sewer infrastructure.
• ,</c> investment of $6.5 million in sewer, investment of $6.5 million in sewer, water,<01:03:13.520><

Bills: HF4680 , HF4047 , HF4590 , HF3757 , HF3569 , HF4507 , HF4426 , HF4927 , HF4788 , HF4757 , HF4747 , HF3561 , HF4014 , HF4013 , HF4689 , HF4766 , HF4589

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're looking at is wastewater treatment ponds, spray irrigation, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer
• We also have collapsing sewer lines. I'll skip over some of this.
• I'm going to go to our sewer rates.
• When you've got fewer connections, your sewer rates are higher.
• system, and extension of the water and sanitary sewer lines.

Bills: HF2418 , HF1666 , HF232 , HF344 , HF402 , HF431 , HF468 , HF547 , HF583 , HF1476 , HF1711 , HF2787 , HF2788 , HF3207

Committee: House Capital Investment