Video & Transcript : 'golf cart' :
Page 12 of 113
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities And Communications Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Morris Thomas with the Southern California Golf Association and representing the California Alliance
- for Golf.
- Public Golf Alliance, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, High and Low Desert Golf Course
- The opposition to this proposal is entirely from the golfing community.
- They're retired, and they golf a few times a week, and they are frustrated when we change the clocks
Summary:
The committee heard several energy, telecommunications, and regulatory bills. SB 929 would require the California Energy Commission chair to appear annually and report to the Legislature on the commission’s activities, plans, and outreach; the author said it would improve oversight without raising rates or fees. SB 1138 would let load-serving entities trade hourly resource adequacy obligations to reduce overprocurement and lower ratepayer costs; supporters said it could save hundreds of millions, while questions focused on CPUC concerns, grid reliability, and whether savings would reach customers. SB 913 would expand participation of customer-sited distributed energy resources, such as home batteries and smart thermostats, in the resource adequacy market; supporters said it would unlock existing clean capacity and reduce costs, and members asked about reliability, opt-in participation, compensation, and how to handle partially charged batteries. SB 1197 would move California to permanent standard time, with the author and a sleep medicine witness arguing it would improve health and safety, while opponents from the golf industry raised concerns about economic, recreational, and public safety impacts and whether voter approval would be required. SB 1191 would extend the California High Cost Fund A and B programs for rural telephone service through 2033, with supporters emphasizing affordability and emergency access in rural areas. SB 1265 would codify and expand the Go Green financing program under the Treasurer and CAFA, and SB 1337 would create a working group to coordinate fuel-transition policy and refinery-related issues across state and local agencies.
Members generally supported the bills, though several raised implementation and coordination questions. Concerns included whether SB 1197 would require another vote of the people, whether SB 1138 could create unintended market or reliability problems, whether SB 913 could affect local generation needs or depend on customer readiness, and whether SB 1337 would duplicate existing fuel-transition bodies. Authors and witnesses responded that amendments and existing safeguards would address many of those issues, and that the measures were intended to improve efficiency, affordability, and coordination.
The committee ultimately voted to advance all seven bills, with each receiving a do pass recommendation, some as amended and some to different policy committees or Appropriations. Final recorded votes were overwhelmingly in favor, with SB 1197 receiving one no vote and SB 1265 receiving one no vote; the other measures passed unanimously or near-unanimously. All bills were reported out of committee.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Feb 3, 2026, 12:00PM HST - Day 8
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They're not leaving their carts out.
- . carts. carts.
- Why they're not leaving their carts out.
- </c> cart when you go to shop. This is crazy. cart when you go to shop. This is crazy.
- Shopping carts are a blight in our community, quite frankly.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Community Affairs Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Then there's a golf course section, the private clubs.
- I know the bill does state that it could be a golf club or marina.
- I know the bill does state that it could be a golf club or marina.
- I know the bill does state that it could be a golf club or marina.
- I know the bill does state that it could be a golf club or marina.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, many focused on local government authority, land use, housing, and public notice requirements. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, SB 962 on affordable housing protections for farms, SB 218 on land use regulations in hurricane-affected counties, SB 1020 on regulation of chickee huts, and SB 1434 on infill redevelopment of environmentally challenged properties. SB 1180 on community development district recall elections was amended to narrow and clarify the recall process and to add provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts before being reported favorably. SB 380 on legal notices was also amended and reported favorably despite significant opposition from the Florida Press Association, Common Cause, and others who argued it would further fragment public notice access; supporters said it would modernize publication options and save money.
Testimony on the bills was mixed. Supporters of the housing and redevelopment measures argued they would increase attainable housing, streamline approvals, and make better use of underutilized or contaminated land, while local government groups and advocacy organizations warned about overdevelopment, reduced public input, infrastructure strain, and conflicts with comprehensive planning. On SB 1444, which combined preemptions related to religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting requirements, supporters framed it as protecting religious freedom and limiting local micromanagement, while the League of Cities and the Florida Association of Counties opposed it as overly broad and unclear; the bill nevertheless passed favorably after debate. SB 218 was presented as restoring normal land-use authority in counties unaffected by hurricanes while preserving protections in damaged areas, and SB 984 was described as clarifying firefighter cancer benefits and health coverage rules; both passed without controversy.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 948, a strike-all on local government land development regulations and orders that would create a statewide framework for starter homes and lot-split rules within urban growth areas. Supporters said it would expand housing supply and reduce regulatory delays, while opponents said it would override local zoning, weaken infrastructure and environmental protections, and apply too broadly. The bill drew support from housing advocates and some local officials, but opposition from the Florida League of Cities, Florida Association of Counties, and others. The transcript ends with SB 948 still under consideration, with testimony continuing and no final vote shown in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Economic Development, Pub. Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-10-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> [clears throat] parks, we have 13 golf [clears throat] parks, we have 13 golf courses,<00:05:27.039
- The building and system repairs of Jenny Wy golf course, grain conversions, and the golf course bunker
- [Clears throat] Golf course improvements: $8.5 million has been dedicated to golf course improvements
- The $8.5 million in golf course improvements includes golf course irrigation replacements, Bermuda greens
- golfers and golf leagues to return.
Summary:
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy received an update from Kentucky State Parks and the Finance Cabinet on the status of major capital projects funded through recent legislative appropriations. Commissioner Mark Keelin, Deputy Commissioner Chris Perry, and Finance Cabinet/DECA representatives described progress on campground upgrades, utility and broadband improvements, building systems repairs, life-safety work, accommodations and hospitality renovations, pool and beach projects, playgrounds, golf course improvements, marina work, and wastewater upgrades across the state park system. They emphasized that Kentucky has 44 state parks and that the funding has supported completed work and projects still under construction or in design.
The presentation highlighted funding tied to House Joint Resolution 76, House Joint Resolution 56, and House Bill 6. Parks reported roughly $72 million invested to date, with 66 projects completed and 17 under construction, including campground renovations at sites such as My Old Kentucky Home, Kin Lake, Carter Caves, Cumberland Falls, and others; broadband projects at several campgrounds; electrical grid resilience work at parks including Kentucky Dam Village and Kin Lake; and completed life-safety upgrades such as lock systems. Officials also noted pool and beach work, ADA improvements, lodge and guest room renovations, marina replacements, and wastewater plant upgrades. DECA said it currently manages 1,335 active capital projects statewide, including 149 for Parks, and credited additional project management capacity and regular coordination meetings for accelerating delivery.
Committee members asked for a copy of the presentation and pressed the department for more detailed accounting of House Joint Resolution 56, including how much money remains, which projects are complete, and whether current appropriations are sufficient to finish the listed work. The department also requested a larger maintenance pool appropriation of $40 million for the next budget, arguing that routine and emergency maintenance needs across 44 parks exceed current resources and that preventative maintenance would reduce long-term costs. No votes were taken during the meeting.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Eight - Thursday, February 26
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Bank, when I served on their board of directors, we attended a Cardinal ball game together and played golf
- We had a great story about this of problem gas stations, getting carted, targeted, and taken down for
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 132-0 vote. Members then used personal privilege remarks to recognize Black History Month, honor several Black colleagues and public servants, observe a moment of silence for the late Dr. Steven Leon, and deliver a lengthy tribute to the late Freeman Bosley Sr. The chamber also welcomed numerous guests and school groups, including congressional and local officials, mental health advocates, FFA students, championship volleyball players, elementary and junior high students, and other district visitors.
The House then took up several bills on third reading. The most contentious debate was over House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1663, 1607, and 1973, which removed a sunset from Missouri’s restrictions on transgender athletes in school sports. Supporters framed it as protecting fairness and women’s sports; opponents argued it targeted a very small number of students, was discriminatory, and distracted from more pressing issues. After extended debate, the measure passed 98-37. The House also passed House Bill 2682, a school-related First Amendment bill, after debate over whether it would protect hateful student speech; it passed 99-47.
Lawmakers next passed House Bill 2274, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, to make it easier for teachers to transfer credentials across states, especially for military families, by a vote of 133-13. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1883, dealing with sales tax on durable medical goods and certain auction items, passed 98-36 after criticism that it was too broad and would benefit high-end auction sales. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2085, a tobacco preemption bill that also allows localities to enforce a tobacco age of 21, passed 93-43 amid debate over local control and youth tobacco access. House Bill 2145, allowing businesses on two-lane highways to place signs across the road, passed overwhelmingly 142-2.
Finally, the House passed House Committee Substitute for House Joint Resolution 169, which would limit state and local spending growth to prior-year levels plus inflation and population growth, with emergency exceptions. Supporters called it a way to restrain government spending and align with the Hancock Amendment; opponents raised concerns about how it could interact with future tax policy, including the proposed income tax elimination plan. The resolution was discussed at length but ultimately advanced by vote.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part II) Mar 26th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And she pointed into the cart, and it was the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen.
- He has told me that he's played golf in a Cat 1 hurricane.
Bills:
SB397 , SB481 , SB596 , SB760 , SB855 , SB1195 , SB1196 , SB1233 , SB1257 , SB1318 , SB1368 , SB1388 , SB1398 , SB1524 , SB1558 , SB1589 , SB1677 , SB1792 , SB2034
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- oversees and maintains more than 30 parks within the city, as well as recreational facilities such as golf
- Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course
- Golf Course, and RV Parks. and no receipts were issued for revenues received. golf course and RV parks
- , and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks golf course.
Committee:
All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
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.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- oversees and maintains more than 30 parks within the city, as well as recreational facilities such as golf
- Golf Course, and RV parks, and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks Golf Course
- Golf Course, and RV Parks. and no receipts were issued for revenues received. golf course and RV parks
- , and no receipts were issued for revenues received from Harbor Oaks golf course.
Committee:
All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Feb 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it, because yards, golf courses have some of the highest contamination levels there are from both
- Do have golf courses. Golf courses do have.
- Is it, because yards, golf courses have some of the highest contamination levels there are from both
- Do have golf courses. Golf courses do have.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In the future, one of my areas of interest, frankly, is golf. teach.
- In the future, one of my areas of interest, frankly, is golf.
- One of my areas of interest, frankly, is golf.
- Related to that is our golf management school, which actually is the only one in the state of Florida
- And I know golf is very important in that area. We would love to see them.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it.
The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes.
The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications.
At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 26th, 2026 at 11:01 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- championships, and five NCAA championships, and four Golf Hall of Fame championships.
- He owns and operates eight golf courses in Arizona and does real estate development.
- And I know Senator Woods started taking up golf, and he made a hole in one this year.
- I mean, he did invite me to go play golf with him, and I'm like, I am not going playing golf with the
- ASU golf coach.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- But I appreciate the golf you were playing and inviting me to play.
- But I look forward to playing a lot more golf with you, and I hope you have a lot more time to play golf
- And so that means we're going to be playing golf.
- And so that means we're going to be play golf.
- It says, legislature, staffer, golf champions, Florida legislature.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Feb 4th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it, because yards, golf courses have some of the highest contamination levels there are from both
- Do golf courses? Golf courses do have.
- Is it, because yards, golf courses have some of the highest contamination levels there are from both
- Do have golf courses. Golf courses do have.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
Summary:
The Special Committee on Rural Issues met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where House Bill 2686 was voted do pass on a 10-0 roll call. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 3076, sponsored by Representative Doyle Justice, which would remove the words “water contaminant” from a Clean Water Law provision. Justice and supporters said the change is intended to clarify that routine agricultural practices and non-point sources, such as runoff, sediment, manure, fertilizer, grazing, and field drainage, are not subject to DNR permitting, while point sources like wastewater plants and CAFOs would still remain regulated.
Committee members focused heavily on the distinction between point sources and non-point sources and on whether the bill would exempt harmful pollution. Justice and witnesses explained that the bill would not remove DNR authority over point sources or egregious conduct, but would prevent permits for diffuse, routine runoff that cannot realistically be permitted event-by-event. Several members used examples like deer, dogs, cattle, and rain runoff to probe the issue, and witnesses repeatedly said the bill is meant to eliminate uncertainty and avoid absurd permitting requirements.
Support came from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Dairy, and Missouri Wine and Grape Board/Missouri Grape Growers Association. They argued the bill aligns state law with existing federal and state practice, preserves voluntary soil and water conservation programs, and provides regulatory certainty. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on HB 3076 concluded with no further business before the committee.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/25/2026 - Senate Government
Senate Government Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- These carts cost about anywhere between $200 to $500, depending on the cart, per cart.
- So the fee is $50 per cart for carts that are returned to retailers that do not have their own shopping
- That changed because, at our peak, where we had over 9,000 carts, more than 90% of the carts that we
- So you mentioned that it's $50 per cart.
- 100 carts, right?
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from the prior February meetings and then took up several measures. HCR 2013, designating June 2026 as “Celebrate Life Month” in Arizona, drew emotional testimony from Crystal Cooper and Bella Stockton about their lives with spina bifida and support for the resolution. Senator Kennedy and others questioned the purpose of the resolution, arguing the state should focus on concrete supports for families, but the motion passed 4-1 with two not voting.
Members then advanced HB 2327, which clarifies protections for eligible persons’ identifying information in county recorder records, with an amendment excluding voter registration records; it passed 5-0 with two not voting. HB 2258, adding La Paz County to the Tourism Advisory Council’s geographic area, also passed unanimously among those voting. HB 2397, expanding HOA/COA disclosure requirements for prospective buyers, was amended twice and passed 5-1; supporters said it would improve transparency about assessments and defects, while opponents warned about cost and administrative burdens, especially for smaller associations. HB 2015, imposing penalties for late federal/state financial reporting by state organizations, passed 4-2 despite concerns that the automatic penalties were too harsh and could be out of agencies’ control.
The committee also approved HB 4049, allowing DCS to hire its own counsel and directing the Attorney General to represent the state’s interest in certain cases involving alleged DCS misconduct, though some members argued current law already addresses conflicts and that DCS had not been consulted. HB 4087, authorizing placement of a Barbara Love memorial in the governmental wall, passed without opposition. HB 2100, allowing counties to authorize certain small land subdivisions, passed 4-2 amid debate over water adequacy and the risk of “wildcat” development. HB 2460, preempting local fees and penalties tied to abandoned or stolen movable business property such as shopping carts, passed 4-2 after extensive testimony from cities, retailers, and advocates over local control, costs, and theft prevention. Finally, HCR 2056, a proposed constitutional amendment recognizing a right to refuse medical mandates, began hearing testimony; supporters framed it as bodily autonomy, while opponents, including pediatric and public health advocates, warned it would weaken vaccine requirements and outbreak protections for schools and children.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/18/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- Next I have Todd Hurley. former Hillcrest Golf Course into a 112 former Hillcrest Golf Course into a
- Course into a vibrant and polluted Golf Course into a vibrant and new<00:24:27.440><c> community</c>
- Paul and the Port Authority, I am happy to report that the grading and remediation of the entire golf
- Paul and the Port Authority, I am happy to report that the grading and remediation of the entire golf
- </c><00:29:48.760><c> Course</c> Remediation of the entire Golf Course Remediation of the entire Golf
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- He then clarified that the golf club, the golf course clubhouse, are subject to City Council and then
- He then clarified that he was not referring to the Ice Arena when he mentioned the golf club, the golf
- Senator Hemmingsen-Jaeger asked whether the Braemar Golf Course is public or private.
- Um is the Braemar Golf Quick question.
- municipal owned uh golf course, public municipal owned uh golf course, both<01:07:57.520><c> of</c><01
Committee:
Senate Taxes
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 12th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- In the future, one of my areas of interest, frankly, is golf.
- One of my areas of interest, frankly, is golf.
- It might surprise some of you to learn that our men's golf team is ranked 52nd in the country and heading
- Related to that is our golf management school, which actually is the only one in the state of Florida
- And I know golf is very important in that area. We would love to see them.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise.
The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida.
Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Senate Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One of the parcels of land that is a neighboring piece to this intersection is the Ray Richards Golf
- Golf course. So just one corner of the course.
- The donor intent is being met because these funds are going toward support of the golf course and the
- golf teams.
- Going toward support of the golf course and the golf teams, which was the main concern of the donor.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Feb 18th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We have one small golf course.
- We have one small golf course.
- We'd have to traverse the Intracoastal and then send it down to our golf course.
- We do have a golf course that was rebuilt with 200 homes a few years ago, and we took advantage of that
- the houses in the golf course.
Committee:
Senate Environment and Natural Resources
Summary:
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear a panel discussion on implementation of Senate Bill 64 (2021), which requires elimination of non-beneficial wastewater discharges to surface waters by 2032. Department of Environmental Protection staff reported that utility plans have been approved, about 570 million gallons per day are expected to be eliminated under the plans, and roughly 176 million gallons per day have already been eliminated. The department emphasized ongoing annual reporting, continued coordination with utilities, and the need for projects such as reuse, indirect potable reuse, wet-weather backup discharges, groundwater recharge, and other beneficial uses to meet the law’s 90% reuse requirement in applicable cases.
Representatives from Flagler Beach, Atlantic Beach, JEA, and Hillsborough County described how the law affects different utilities. Smaller and coastal systems said they face major cost, space, salinity, and infrastructure constraints, with limited reuse opportunities and expensive alternatives such as deep well injection or regional transfer. Larger systems described substantial capital programs already underway, including public access reuse, indirect potable reuse, regional recharge projects, and saltwater intrusion barrier wells, with costs ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars. Members and witnesses discussed the need for flexibility, regional solutions, and case-by-case permitting, and the Florida Rural Water Association asked the committee to consider hardship provisions and funding or exemption adjustments for smaller systems.
The committee then took up SPB 7002, a proposed bill by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee relating to water management districts. Senator Broder explained that the bill would increase transparency, improve planning and budgeting oversight, create a gift ban, support local referendum authority for certain ad valorem funding, and provide record-level funding for Everglades restoration. After a question from Senator Smith about whether the ad valorem language was expansive or restrictive, Senator Broder said it would add a new funding tool for districts. The committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7002 as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> where the landscape of championship golf where the landscape of championship golf has<01:29:10.239
- , noting that they are not just coming to play golf on Saturday and Sunday.
- </c> attempted to golf. I'm not good. attempted to golf. I'm not good.
- it's</c><01:39:25.760><c> uh</c><01:39:26.159><c> quite</c> not, for golf, it's uh quite not, for golf
- , but uh but I do enjoy it playing golf, but uh but I do enjoy it as<01:39:53.920><c> well.
Committee:
Senate Taxes