Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Water Assistance Program'

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TX

Texas 89th 1st C.S.

Natural Resources Aug 11th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • is modeled after other TWDB financial assistance programs, including the clean water and drinking water
  • Yeah, John Dupnik, Texas Water Development Board.
  • Texas Water Development Board.
  • John Dupnik, Texas Water Development Board.
  • assistance programs.
Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Aug 11th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Department.
  • After other TWDB financial assistance programs, including the Clean Water and Drinking Water Fund, the
  • Program as part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program.
  • John Dubnik, Texas Water Development Board. Board.
  • assistance programs.
Keywords: 997, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 27th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:
  • The legislation created the Water Utilities Technical Assistance Program, or WTAP, which assists. small
  • the economically distressed areas program or EDAP, the Rural Water Assistance Fund, RWAF, and the Water
  • is the Texas Water Fund.
  • Loss Assistance Fund, and utilize the Texas Water Fund dollars.
  • Thank you, for the record, I'm Tom Ensminger. policy director with the Texas Coast and Water Program
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Lastly, the legislation created the Water Utilities Technical Assistance Program, or WTAP, which assists
  • The Economically Distressed Areas Program, or EDAP, the Rural Water Assistance Fund, and the Water Infrastructure
  • The Texas Water Development Board.
  • For the record I'm Tom Ensminger, Policy Director for the Texas Coast and Water Program, National Wildlife
  • by the Texas Water Fund.
Bills: SB1, SB 1
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Agriculture & Livestock Mar 11th, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts represents 216 soil and water conservation
  • I'm the program manager for the flood control program at the Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board.
  • We support wildlife services through water conservation programs.
  • You'll see Texas A&M and uh colleges like that come on board with hemp programs, hemp breeding programs
  • He went up and, um, you know, loaded water and went and started assisting.
Bills: HB294
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 11th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not simply another government program.
  • This program is also an economic driver in my area.
  • This program is also an economic driver in my area.
  • It's not simply another government program.
  • Award, and some other financial programs.
Bills: HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, HR252, HR253, HR254, HR255, HR256, HCR103, HCR104, SB83, SB143, SB155, SB228, SB283, SB295, SB338, SB388, SB408, SB431, HR84, HR188, HR205, HB302, HB597, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SCR24, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB357, SB406, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HR9, HCR27, HCR28, HCR50, HCR62, HCR67, HCR71, HCR78, HCR81, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, HCR6, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB61, HB98, HB102, HB139, HB142, HB170, HB185, HB194, HB199, HB231, HB247, HB294, HB336, HB474, HB661, HB842, HB852, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB79, HB251, HB625, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB1011, HB1057, HB1155, HB1186, HB1224, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1254, HB1255, HB1256, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, HB646, HB824, HB341, HB682, HB766, HB926, HB998, HB1051, HB1080, HB1201, HB1223, HB603, HB940, HB1191, SB47, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, SB149, SB382
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 11th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Speaker Pro Tem, this resolution merely asks Congress to help fund DOTD's program.
  • It's not simply another government program.
  • This program is also an economic driver in my area.
  • and the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students Tech Award.
  • , the TOPS Tech Award, and some other financial programs.
Bills: HR257, HR258, HR259, HR260, HR261, HR262, HR263, HCR105, HCR106, HR252, HR253, HR254, HR255, HR256, HCR103, HCR104, SB83, SB143, SB155, SB228, SB283, SB295, SB338, SB388, SB408, SB431, HR84, HR188, HR205, HB302, HB597, HB819, HB1257, HB1258, SCR24, SB45, SB58, SB71, SB81, SB92, SB100, SB109, SB141, SB156, SB181, SB203, SB204, SB205, SB207, SB213, SB214, SB216, SB229, SB257, SB274, SB290, SB304, SB374, SB379, SB396, SB410, SB425, SB427, SB429, SB479, SB522, SB357, SB406, HR171, HCR49, HCR65, HCR72, HR37, HCR64, HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR217, HCR11, HCR53, HCR60, HCR66, HCR68, HR9, HCR27, HCR28, HCR50, HCR62, HCR67, HCR71, HCR78, HCR81, SCR19, SCR3, SCR6, SCR18, SCR11, SCR22, SCR2, SCR20, HCR6, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB130, HB258, HB633, HB801, HB61, HB98, HB102, HB139, HB142, HB170, HB185, HB194, HB199, HB231, HB247, HB294, HB336, HB474, HB661, HB842, HB852, HB301, HB359, HB657, HB675, HB680, HB727, HB79, HB251, HB625, HB769, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB1011, HB1057, HB1155, HB1186, HB1224, HB1245, HB1247, HB1253, HB1254, HB1255, HB1256, SB41, SB44, SB64, SB84, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB107, SB118, SB142, SB192, SB195, SB199, SB219, SB222, SB234, SB241, SB255, SB275, SB277, SB292, SB294, SB306, SB314, SB482, SB8, SB10, SB11, SB12, SB13, SB14, SB16, SB17, SB18, SB20, SB21, SB22, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB69, SB75, SB77, SB78, SB85, SB102, SB115, SB133, SB140, SB148, SB151, SB165, SB169, SB170, SB185, SB197, SB200, SB217, SB235, SB278, SB280, SB291, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB330, SB411, SB416, SB420, SB436, SB438, SB449, SB455, SB456, SB477, SB489, SB521, HB646, HB824, HB341, HB682, HB766, HB926, HB998, HB1051, HB1080, HB1201, HB1223, HB603, HB940, HB1191, SB47, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, SB149, SB382
Summary: The House convened with 93 members present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the morning recognizing guests and former members, including student groups, arts educators, rodeo queens, and Congressman Troy Carter, who urged members not to let partisan divisions harm Louisiana. Representative Newell also delivered a lengthy floor statement tying current voting-rights debates to civil rights concerns and warning against weakening protections for Black communities. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports, and several resolutions and bills were advanced or referred in routine order. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to House resolutions, many of them memorials or study requests. The House adopted resolutions supporting a physical therapy degree designation for federal loan purposes, honoring veterans who served in Honduras, extending a behavioral health courts study, seeking bridge-removal funding for U.S. 90 in St. Tammany Parish, urging DOTD studies on local traffic projects, requesting a study of rural economic development, supporting Camp Beauregard and the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, creating a permit-study committee, and asking for studies on autism services, school nurse orientation, opioid treatment in correctional settings, floodplain map updates, and care gaps for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One resolution on rent stabilization failed, and another on pregnancy-related emergency medication was returned to the calendar after questions about its implications. The chamber also concurred in or rejected several Senate amendments to House bills. Concurrences included bills on arrest warrant recall procedures, disturbing the peace near places of worship, rape and sex offense provisions, bridge naming, holiday rules, victim confidentiality, and the classic black license plate. The House rejected Senate amendments to HB 258 on dual office holding and dual employment. The most contentious item was HB 102, which would create second-degree cruelty to the elderly and persons with infirmities but was amended in the Senate to add broader first-degree murder provisions tied to firearms and public shootings; members raised concerns about self-defense, overcharging, capital punishment exposure, and fiscal impact on the public defender system. Despite those objections, supporters argued the changes would deter violent crime and protect the public, and the bill was ultimately supported in floor debate as amended.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Jun 23rd, 2026

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's important to remember that the Texas Water Fund is not a financial assistance program.
  • It's important to remember that the Texas Water Fund is not a financial assistance program.
  • previously to the water fund. ...assistance programs that were not eligible previously to the water
  • supply program, as well as what I like to call the NEWT, and that is the New Water Supply for Texas
  • So on the first slide is the SWIFT program, the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Education REVISED Apr 7th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not the intent to expand the program.
  • By using the federal poverty level rate, this makes the program more auditable.
  • So it seems like the numbers don't match that we are in fact expanding the program.
  • I want to tell you on this program I've had parents, I've had...
  • But this is a very good program. There'll be additional debate. No additional debate.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

TRS-EIG, TRS Public Hearings 02-05-2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It youth transit program special fund.
  • It of the new program and special fund.
  • to the fair free youth transit program to the fair free youth transit program special<00:07:16.000
  • active intelligence speed assistance active intelligence speed assistance system. system. system
  • <01:15:47.920> systems assistance systems assistance systems 2696 uh<01:15:53.360> do uh
Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation-related measures. SB 2356, relating to parking, drew support from the Office of Planning, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Appleseed Center, Realtors, and the Hawaii Bicycling League. Members discussed the bill in the context of the planned stadium-area mixed-use development, with questions about whether parking would be built in structures rather than as large surface lots. Senators expressed support and noted the measure’s broader housing and parking-reduction goals, but no vote was taken during the hearing. The bulk of the hearing focused on SB 2699, which would create a fare-free youth transit program, a special fund, annual evaluations, and appropriations tied to the environmental, energy, and food security tax. The Attorney General’s office raised technical concerns about whether the special fund met statutory requirements. The Department of Education and Department of Health supported the bill, as did the City and County of Honolulu DOT, Appleseed Center, Hawaii Youth Transportation Council, Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Hawaii Bicycling League, Our Children’s Trust, and numerous youth testifiers. Supporters emphasized reduced family transportation costs, better school attendance, improved health and mobility, and environmental benefits. One senator raised emergency-planning concerns about how children using free transit would be handled during events like tsunamis; DOT and DOE responded that emergency procedures are being developed. The chair said the committee would work on language changes, including a delayed effective date to July 2027, and defer decision-making until the 12th. The final measure discussed was SB 2470, which would require leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements at state-controlled intersections, and create a process for community requests for accessible pedestrian signals. Appleseed Center, the Hawaii Association of the Blind, and the Disability Rights Center supported the bill, citing pedestrian safety, reduced collisions, and the need for audible cues for blind and low-vision pedestrians. Testifiers urged a phased-in approach that prioritizes high-traffic intersections. The hearing ended with the bill still under consideration and no final vote announced.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Mar 3rd, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • We hardly have water to support North Florida's drinking water today.
  • Reclaimed water, cleaned water comes out.
  • be a part of that program.
  • But if they are not paying into the program, they should not get the benefits of the program.
  • They did that in 1988 with this program. They did it with the vaccine program.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 25th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • This program was established to give immunity, and it speaks to the origins of the program and up to
  • The rule applies to water users in the North Florida Regional Water Supply Area and consists of four
  • Will the reclaimed water be tested?
  • Will this water be clean enough?
  • water that would be used.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 25th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, this program was established to give immunity, and it speaks to the origins of the program.
  • All of the good things, the increased water conservation, the more equitable funding of water projects
  • So the stated goal is 40 million gallons of reclaimed water, which... ...gallons of reclaimed water,
  • This is highly treated reclaimed water that would be meeting all water quality standards, be put into
  • Water First North Florida will provide over 40 million gallons of water per day and work...
Summary: The committee first took up appointments, recommending confirmation of James Patrick Grambling and Brian J. Aungst on a single favorable vote. It then heard and approved several committee bills, including CS/CS/SB 1260 on building code inspections, which directs the Department of Management Services to contract with private providers for plan review and inspections; CS/SB 1668 on NICA, which updates benefits, oversight, funding, and immunity language; SB 1300 on a workforce/CDL training program for selected nonviolent inmates; CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services; CS/SB 1580 on illegal gaming enforcement; CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys affordable housing tax exemptions; and CS/CS/SB 1452, an agency bill updating DFS programs and licensing rules. Each of those bills was reported favorably after committee debate and, in several cases, amendments were adopted. The committee spent substantial time on CS/CS/SB 1510, the DEP package, which reorganizes environmental rulemaking and land acquisition authority, expands septic-to-sewer and nutrient-reduction requirements in sensitive areas, updates stormwater and resilience provisions, and revises related permitting and grant programs. Two amendments were adopted, including one adding solar-energy and stormwater-related provisions and another removing septic disclosure reporting language. Testimony included support from DEP and concerns from environmental advocates about septic timelines and implementation. The bill was ultimately reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/CS/SB 1566 on local government budget transparency, requiring counties and municipalities to post budgets and related materials online for extended periods in a standardized format. The League of Cities opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate, while the sponsor argued it would improve taxpayer access and accountability; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 7034, a rule ratification for minimum flows and levels for the lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers and priority springs, with testimony focused on the proposed Water First restoration strategy, conservation measures, and concerns about water quality, funding, and local opposition. The transcript ends during closing remarks on that ratification bill, before a final vote is shown.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Activities to the Texas Water Development Board.
  • customers of our other financial assistance programs.
  • Is the Texas Water Development Board more about just the local municipalities engaging in the programs
  • Public education programs for water quality, so stream water quality monitoring.
  • We also oversee the Water Quality Monitoring Programs and the Texas Clean Rivers Program within the basin
Keywords: 1185, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 23rd, 2025

Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:
  • The state, the Texas Water Development Board, adopts.
  • In this program, the FMA is part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.
  • Is the Texas Water Development Board more about just the local municipalities engaging in the programs
  • Public education programs, water quality, so stream water quality monitoring as in.
  • We also oversee the water quality monitoring programs in the Texas Clean Rivers Program within the basin
Keywords: 997, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations Feb 19th, 2025

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board.
  • created the Texas Water Fund.
  • Almost all of our programs are eligible for Texas. water fund allocations.
  • We used two programs. One, the Water Loan Assistance Program.
  • Fund and the Rural Water Assistance Fund to target those communities Those are financial assistance programs
Keywords: 1184, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Agriculture & Livestock Mar 11th, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • And Programs Director, John Foster. On behalf of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
  • Soil and Water Conservation Board programs.
  • I'm John Foster, Programs Officer for the State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
  • Soil and Water Conservation District the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation District.
  • The Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts represents 216 soil and water conservation
Bills: HB294, HB405, HB519, HB294
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Agriculture & Livestock Mar 4th, 2025

Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's up and running in Texas and 10 other states. We've got our GoTexan program.
  • The citrus budwood certification program is managed by Texas A&M-Kingsville Citrus Center.
  • Texas agriculture faces a critical water supply challenge.
  • Their heavy industry is a major water user. In West Texas, you have oil operations.
  • So, every year, dedicating a portion of existing revenue in the state of Texas to water.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Water and Natural Resources Sep 12th, 2025

Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Through our technical assistance program, we can only do so much.
  • I run the small local public bodies assistance program.
  • My assistance program provides direct financial assistance to pay for tier certifications and AUPs conducted
  • We do a lot with the small local public bodies assistance program.
  • And so, any shortfall that Texas. gets, that we see in the data, Texas gets that amount of water out