Video & Transcript Research : 'Water Code'

Page 126 of 500
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAL Public Hearing - Tue Jan 28, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Water & Land

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 306, relating to water code. First up, we have DLNR in support.
  • So giving the commission tools to be able to enforce the state water code, which is overseeing a public
  • uh to be able to enforce the state water uh to be able to enforce the state water code<00:45:46.480
  • You drink water, I drink water. I'm a farmer.
  • You drink water, I drink water. I'm a farmer.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 114, concerning employment in the State Historic Preservation Program, drew support from DLNR, which said the measure would help retain qualified archaeologists, architects, and other professionals by preserving current pay levels for a limited number of positions. Members raised concerns about expanding exempt positions and the effect on union coverage, and DLNR said it was also working with DEHRD on longer-term reclassification issues. No vote was taken on the bill in the portion provided. HB 12, relating to tort liability, drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, which argued the bill would create overly broad immunity for landowners, conflict with Hawaii’s comparative fault framework, and undermine existing recreational liability law. Supporters said it would reduce liability concerns and encourage landowners to allow hiking, hunting, search-and-rescue training, and firearms-related uses on private land. The committee then moved on without any recorded vote in the excerpt. The committee also discussed HB 29 on counties, but no county representative was present, and members questioned whether the proposal should instead proceed through condemnation if it involved a forced sale. HB 175 on property maintenance received DLNR comments that the bill should be narrowed to noxious weeds and that fire-related provisions were more properly handled by county fire departments and the State Fire Marshal. HB 331 on permits drew support from several state agencies, but the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed it unless “repetitive construction” was defined more clearly; members and agencies discussed narrowing the bill to avoid unintended impacts on water and utility infrastructure. The committee also heard strong support for HB 3 on North Shore beach management, HB 309 on fish ponds, and HB 306 on water code penalties, though the Board of Water Supply raised concerns about increased fines and suggested an alternative governor’s bill and clearer administrative rules.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Agriculture & Livestock Mar 11th, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 294 would amend Chapter 217 of the Local Government Code and Chapter 202 of the Property Code
  • The Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts represents 216 soil and water conservation
  • Obviously we got issues with water.
  • So if you want some water supply storage, then you have to impound more water, that means the dam needs
  • water supply for a local city or local community.
Bills: HB294
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Tue Mar 25, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 39

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They stood on the weather deck to look out for people in the water with zero visibility conditions.
  • <00:28:54.720> with<00:28:55.039> zero<00:28:55.440> visibility in the water
  • They were there working diligently to safely restore our harbors and protect our water.
  • <00:35:40.560> They<00:35:40.880> literally and protect our water.
  • They literally and protect our water.
Keywords: 910, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Jul 14th, 2025

Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:
  • Water efficiency.
  • That was one of our goals: to reduce costs and energy and water use over time.
  • Without this system, they wouldn't have found those water leaks quickly.
  • In what we're spending, what our usage was for electric, gas, and water.
  • You know, why is this not just part of the new building code for schools?
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 18th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and engagement around California water policy.
  • You know we love good water policy.
  • We lived through the Black Codes. We lived through the Jim Crow era.
  • We lived through the Black Codes. We lived through the Jim Crow era.
  • We lived through the Black Codes. We lived through the Jim Crow era.
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS Info Briefing - Thu Sept 11, 2025 @ 1:30 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, so I think building codes are there, so I think we're up, you know, updated building codes, but
  • to those building codes.
  • , or the codes are better.
  • to the codes that they were built to. to the codes that they were built to.
  • codes or the codes are better. codes or the codes are better.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations Mar 31st, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that is contingent on legislation to address local rail grade crossings, $400 million to the Water
  • That's very much needed, as is the contingency rider for $2.5 billion for water.
  • We're also supportive of the matching funds for the Water Development Board, the produced water reporting
  • Towards addressing the state's long-term water infrastructure challenges.
  • And Clean Water State Revolving Funds, major repair and restoration of TDCJ facilities.
Bills: SB1, HB500, SB 1
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • flood and planes and and our water flood and planes and and our water projects,<00:37:52.560>
  • , how many water rescues he was making.
  • , how many water rescues he was making.
  • , how many water rescues he was making.
  • , how many water rescues he was making.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, September 15, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They need this sort of assistance. eliminate funding for clean water eliminate funding for clean water
  • These cuts, they ignore the water These cuts, they ignore the water infrastructure<03:35:43.279>
  • Alabama that struggle with clean water Alabama that struggle with clean water issues,<03:36:19.600
  • affordably meet their basic clean water affordably meet their basic clean water and<03:36:28.720
  • :29.760> something and drinking water needs is something and drinking water needs is something
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Apr 22nd, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the state water plan.
  • the state water plan.
  • the state water plan.
  • the state water plan.
  • into the Business and Commerce Code.
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harris of Tilden Baptist Church, followed by remarks from Senator Zaffirini recognizing his service and retirement as an agricultural teacher. The chamber also received a message from the governor on appointments to the Coastal Water Authority Board of Directors. Senators then adopted SR 434 honoring Goodwill Industries of San Antonio’s 80th anniversary, with Senators Gutierrez, Menendez, and Zaffirini praising its workforce training and second-chance employment mission; SR 435 recognizing Dr. Christine Ramos Camacho as Doctor of the Day; and a group of additional resolutions adopted by voice vote. Senator Zaffirini also introduced the McMullen County Day delegation, and Senator Gutierrez introduced the Doctor of the Day. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1951 addressed penalties for late property rendition filings and removed a financial incentive for appraisal districts; SB 1261 related to financing water supply projects in the state water plan; SB 1620 created a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program; SB 530 updated higher-education accreditation rules; SB 2183 standardized fireworks sales periods statewide; SB 2368 strengthened the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act and added foreign-affiliation safeguards for electricity market participants; SB 1398 limited children without placement (CWOP) practices and added community-based care transparency; and SB 1960 established digital replication rights for voice and visual likenesses. Each of these bills advanced through suspension of the regular order, passage to engrossment, suspension of the three-day rule, and final passage, with recorded votes generally showing strong support and some opposition on a few measures. The chamber also debated SB 825, which would require an annual study of the economic, environmental, and financial impacts of illegal immigration. Senators Middleton, Hinojosa, Gutierrez, and Eckhardt debated whether the study should include positive as well as negative impacts; an amendment to require that broader analysis failed, and the bill was left pending after passage to engrossment. Other measures passed included SB 2010, prohibiting political subdivisions from operating guaranteed income programs; SB 546, requiring reporting and continued implementation of school bus seat belts; SB 586, establishing the Historical Texas Cemetery designation program; SB 1150, requiring inactive oil and gas wells to be plugged or returned to production under a compliance plan; SB 1184, lowering the minimum age of wine eligible for sale by wine collection sellers; SB 2185, clarifying bilingual education allotment funding; SB 1923, making child support follow the child in certain temporary placements; SB 2252, expanding early literacy and numeracy supports and screening tools; SB 1870, barring local decriminalization of drugs; and SB 2405, the major TDCJ sunset bill, which included facility planning, parole and rehabilitation reforms, and an amendment protecting parole board discretion. Most of these bills were adopted after floor amendments and passed with recorded votes, often along party-line or near-party-line divisions.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, March 27, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:21:58.000> And School's girls water polar team. And School's girls water polar team.
  • [Music] It's waters. What's new?
  • <02:37:46.080> This knowledge of the tax code. This knowledge of the tax code.
  • water um in uh western dams or any dams. water um in uh western dams or any dams.
  • there'll be enough water for everybody. there'll be enough water for everybody.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

January 15, 2026 - 08:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • water?
  • to water will undermine protection and restoration of Florida's water resources.
  • EDR projected that the cost of water supply in the State of Florida, meeting water supply needs to prevent
  • of what the Water Management Districts do right now that is advancing the water solutions because Florida
  • The districts are tasked with water supply, water quality, flood protection and flood management, and
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Apr 24th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Rob played a key role in drafting and implementing the 1993 Texas Penal Code.
  • would help us make the right decisions when we presented comments and really understood the Penal Code
  • So this body of water that you’re looking to rename, what countries border the body of water?”
  • What other countries border the body of water?
  • You’re always welcome to introduce a bill to change the name in our state code.”
Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation, messages from the House, and several recognitions, including county day delegations from Fayette, LaSalle, Jim Hogg, Austin, and others, as well as a recognition of Rob Keppel for his career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. The chamber also adopted several resolutions, including SR 429 designating October 2025 as RET Syndrome Awareness Month and SR 432 honoring Rob Keppel. A doctor-of-the-day introduction and a public announcement about free skin checks were also made. The Senate then took up and passed several bills. SB 1152, creating the offense of continuous manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, passed after suspension of the rules. SB 1868, regulating kratom and related substances, was amended to prohibit smokeable kratom products and kratom pills and to clarify THC variants such as Delta-8 and Delta-10, then passed. SB 1349, creating offenses for transnational repression and unauthorized enforcement of foreign law, drew debate over a failed amendment that would have added election misinformation and foreign meddling; the bill ultimately passed unanimously. SB 2037, expediting review of LNG environmental permits, passed after amendments clarifying fees and deadlines, with opposition focused on its energy-policy implications. SB 1164, addressing emergency detention and court-ordered inpatient mental health treatment, passed after a drafting-error correction and discussion of the bill’s basis in recommendations from the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health. The Senate also advanced SB 2743 on prosecution of certain election offenses, which would allow a court process to disqualify a local prosecutor who repeatedly refuses to prosecute election cases and appoint the Attorney General; it passed to engrossment amid questions about evidence and local discretion. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit members, supporters, volunteers, and donors from disclosure by public agencies, passed unanimously. SB 2349, exempting certain short-term leases and temporary tenancies from floodplain notice requirements, passed unanimously. SB 2788, adding PSAT and pre-ACT scores for Texas Success Initiative exemptions and clarifying dual-credit eligibility, passed unanimously after amendment. SB 843, creating a TEA database of school district bonds, taxes, and bond-related projects and adding charter schools, passed after amendments on funding and scope. Finally, SB 1832, allowing parents to transfer a student who was victimized by a public school employee to another campus, passed to engrossment after extended debate over whether the bill should also cover private schools and how it would interact with school choice and ESA policy. SB 39, revising the admission rule in commercial motor vehicle collision cases, was laid out and debated over its effect on negligent entrustment and related evidence, with the author emphasizing that the bill preserves the bifurcated trial structure and does not alter other admissibility rules.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2324 allows municipalities that have adopted their own nationally recognized fire code to
  • petition the Office of the State Fire Marshal to exempt county-owned buildings from the state fire code
  • House Bill 2324 allows municipalities that have adopted their own nationally recognized fire code to
  • House Bill 2324 allows municipalities that have adopted their own nationally recognized fire code to
  • for groundwater replenishment unless the water is delivered to certain permitted groundwater savings
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 05/12/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • usage, noise and light and usage, water usage, noise and light and water<02:45:36.560> pollution<
  • going to pollute our land and our water going to pollute our land and our water and<02:46:49.359
  • legislature adopts that new code.
  • c><04:04:25.920> code.
  • that new code. that new code.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Mar 13th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee also updated the status on the December 31st, 2022, delinquent private water and sewer
  • The committee also updated the status on the December 31st, 2022, delinquent private water and sewer
  • The committee also updated the status of the December 31st, 2023, delinquent private water and sewer
  • with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen.
  • was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen
Keywords: 1204, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Mar 13th, 2026

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee also updated the status on the December 31, 2022, delinquent private water and sewer audits
  • The committee also updated the status on the December 31, 2022, delinquent private water and sewer audits
  • The committee also updated the status of the December 31, 2023, delinquent private water and sewer audits
  • with these codes and other proper accounting procedures, as noted on the screen.
  • was in non-compliance with these codes and other proper accounting procedures as noted on the screen
Summary: The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to approve prior minutes and receive reports from several subcommittees and audits. The executive committee reported that audit and special reports were scheduled for presentation, one requested report remained outstanding, and staff had reviewed circuit-court caseload assignments in Benton County’s 19th West Judicial District. The committee also heard that Arkansas legislative audit financial statements and audits for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 received clean opinions with no internal-control findings, and that the report was accepted. The counties and municipalities report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, with many entities reinstated after filing required reports, and reviewed current and deferred reports; several reports were referred to prosecutors, the attorney general, or the Government Bonding Board. The education audit report covered 57 school district audits, with three districts—Camden Fairview, Forest City, and Eudora—deferred until the June meeting because of findings and referrals. A substitute motion amended the report to file the Nettleton School District report, and the amended report passed. The state agencies report noted findings at the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation and Shared Services, including duplicate payments, collateral issues, record-keeping problems, and missing vehicle logs; the committee filed five reports. The committee then reviewed the City of Pine Bluff’s 2024 financial audit. The city received clean opinions overall, but the management letter identified serious issues in the mayor’s office, Parks and Recreation, and Finance, including unaccounted-for receipts, altered invoices, unallowable and questionable purchases, missing equipment, and weak cash-receipting and reconciliation procedures. City officials, including the mayor and department heads, testified that the problems largely involved prior activity, said they had terminated involved employees, referred matters to law enforcement, and described corrective steps such as a forensic audit, new procurement and accounting procedures, electronic receipting and payments, and software upgrades. After questions from members, the committee voted to file the Pine Bluff report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for June 4-5, 2026.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 26th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • First, we choke them off of the water, choke the water off from our farms, and a lot of our lands go
  • AB 2739 establishes the Water Affordability and System Stabilization Fund to support investments in water
  • when administering the Clean Water Revolving Fund, at no additional cost to water agencies, with the
  • The golden mussels form dense colonies on critical water infrastructure, clogging and degrading our water
  • This directly threatens our water systems that provide water to millions of Californians and millions
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Natural Resources & Energy Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026

Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • That includes stormwater retention, water filtration, habitat, and community— all those things.
  • That includes stormwater retention, water filtration, habitat, and community functions.
  • Yeah, water, I guess. The soil, the vegetation, and what's... I'm going to—yes.
  • Also, Delaware wetlands provide about $474 million in annual water quality benefits.
  • Non-tidal wetlands store water and recharge groundwater supplies...
Bills: SB9
Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.