Transcript Highlights:

• Would the current state of the dams in this country, if a dam were to catastrophically fail and the water
• There are some where they are a dam.
• If it was a river that was dammed and that dam raised the water level.
• </c><00:48:00.079><c> was</c> purchased the land before the dam was purchased the land before the dam
• </c><00:48:22.400><c> in</c> empoundments and then built dams in empoundments and then built dams in

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits. Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute. Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Persons disrupting legislative proceedings are subject to removal, arrest, or other appropriate legal
• This is a simple bill which allows for removal of the tie-back to the definition of unreasonable rate
• Assembly Bill 639 by Assembly Member Soria, an act relating to dams.
• to focus its attention on actual dams.
• Is there any member who wishes to remove an item from the consent calendar?

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, observed a moment of silence for Pope Francis, and later held a separate remembrance ceremony for the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Members and guests heard extensive remarks in support of HR 25, which was adopted by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added. Speakers from both parties and several caucuses emphasized historical truth, remembrance, and solidarity with Armenian Californians, and the chamber also observed a moment of silence for the genocide victims. On the floor, members also passed AB 789 on health insurance rate oversight, ACR 56 recognizing Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, AB 652 on San Diego County Air Pollution Control District alternates despite opposition from one member over regional balance concerns, AB 1414 protecting renters from mandatory internet provider subscriptions, AB 931 regulating litigation finance agreements, AB 890 easing residency rules for foster youth moving counties, AB 40 clarifying emergency reproductive health care coverage with urgency, AB 322 encouraging school-based health and mental health reimbursement programs, and AB 639 narrowing the definition of dams for certain weir operators. Most measures passed by wide margins, including several unanimous votes. The consent calendar, including AB 1149, AB 484, AB 859, AB 1105, and AB 1384, was adopted without objection. The Assembly also handled procedural motions, committee notices, and bill re-referrals earlier in the day. The house then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until Thursday, April 24 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this kind of removes that process and makes it almost like the insurance company does it automatically
• I think most of you know we have a formulary law in the state, and that says we cannot remove a drug
• Second, we remove outdated statutory language so there is no conflict and this new reimbursement formula
• We have absolutely no idea how it would work and would urge you to remove that portion from the bill.
• Members of the committee, so the amendment, my understanding would be to remove the language about the

Bills: HB591, HB765, HB826, HB870, HB938, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1236, HB1241

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• The gag rule offered plaintiffs some procedural protection by removing the question of seat belt use
• So why have one law on the books criminalizing the non-use of seat belts and another that removes the
• The gag rule offered plaintiffs some procedural protection by removing the question of seat belt use
• The gag rule offered plaintiffs some procedural protection by removing the question of seat belt use
• So why have one law on the books criminalizing the non-use of seat belts and another that removes the

Bills: HF1027, HF2226, HF1916, HF1915, HF1567, HF1986

Keywords: mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds

Transcript Highlights:

• So in the past, North Dakota has had a number of low-head dams.
• These low-head dams are a hazard on the landscape. They create a roller effect.
• We have a little over 100 low-head dams across the state.
• Park River, at one time, they were surface water off a Hami Dam.
• and Heart Butte Dam.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Others, such as dam removals, were often involved in supporting the removal of dams to allow our native
• Others, such as dam removals, were often involved in supporting the removal of dams to allow our native
• Others, such as dam removals, were often involved in supporting the removal of dams to allow our native
• Others, such as dam removals, were often involved in supporting the removal of dams to allow our native
• Others, such as dam removals, were often involved in supporting the removal of dams to allow our native

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The floor is yours. will remove the California Migratory Bird Protection Act's sunset date, making it
• AB 454 removes the sunset date from the California Migratory Bird Protection Act. with Audubon California
• revenue that would likely be offset by an associated reduction in workload for the Division of Safety of Dams
• it's less than half a P.Y. that we're talking about here, and the focus of the Division of Safety of Dams
• really should be on the 1,200 dams that are of significance and potential harm.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• especially concerns about what the Senate has done recently, the other body, excuse me, recently removing
• on private land, and flooding behind the dam on private land.
• Because that and flooding behind the dam. We're on private land.
• In these three instances of soil excavation, construction of a dam, and the flooding behind the dam,
• Carter will discuss the construction of the dam.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't continue rebuilding the same bridges, dams, barns, and farm irrigation systems again and again
• can't continue rebuilding the same We can't continue rebuilding the same bridges,<00:03:05.480><c> dams
• That's a lot of money just to remove the trees.
• Local agencies have spent millions in removing, treating, and transporting tree waste.
• </c> being removed. being removed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Rep. Athena Hollins and Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart introduced Minnesota’s proposed climate superfund bill, describing it as a way to make major historical greenhouse gas polluters help pay for climate adaptation and infrastructure repair. They said the bill would target large fossil fuel corporations with significant emissions and use the revenue for projects such as stormwater upgrades, bridge and roof protection, erosion control, drinking water protection, cooling cities, and other resilience work. Both lawmakers framed the proposal as a matter of accountability and fairness, arguing that Minnesotans should not keep paying for damage caused by companies that profited from fossil fuel pollution. Several supporters testified in favor of the bill, including St. Paul City Council Vice President Nyang Kheimey, former legislator and medical student Hunter Cantrell, Unidos Minnesota volunteer Bonnie Becol, and 100% Minnesota’s Aurora Vautrin. They emphasized local climate impacts such as flooding, wildfire smoke, extreme heat, emerald ash borer damage, asthma, and infrastructure failures, and said the costs are increasingly falling on taxpayers, local governments, and vulnerable communities. Kheimey highlighted municipal needs and St. Paul’s own climate investments, while Cantrell focused on environmental racism and health harms, and Becol and Vautrin stressed species loss, community recovery costs, and the burden on residents. In the question-and-answer portion, Hollins and Johnson Stewart explained that the bill would apply to fossil fuel corporations with at least 1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions and a nexus to Minnesota, not local utilities. They said the State Auditor’s office would determine the assessments owed by companies, while the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency would hold the fund and administer grants. They also said they were looking to models in Vermont and New York and hoped the proposal could attract bipartisan support because it is tied to affordability and shifting costs away from taxpayers and onto polluters. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript, and the event ended with the sponsors opening the bill to questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water, dam power that's produced. So why are only two turbines operating out of the five?
• You said that you acquired the dam 11 years ago. Who had it prior to that?
• This kind of fascinates me, getting power like that from the dam and the river.
• And some removal, and as my testifier just wrote down, glare from solar panels along roads.
• What kind of snow removal are you doing up there? You need to come and see the snow.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conversion of the dam safety program, that's different between the dam safety program, and you'll hear
• Conversion of the dam safety program, that's different between the dam safety program, and you'll hear
• Conversion of the dam safety program, that's different between the dam safety program, and you'll hear
• Conversion of the dam safety program, that's different between the dam safety program, and you'll hear
• </c><00:48:40.400><c> the</c> members, but it's really removing the members, but it's really removing

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We got dead fish, thousands of them, and other wildlife after the removal of the dams that have happened
• They're dumping water out of Shasta Dam and Oroville Dam in Northern California.
• </c><00:16:34.079><c> western</c> remove dams especially in the western remove dams especially in the
• </c><00:17:03.399><c> of</c><00:17:03.519><c> the</c><00:17:03.639><c> dams</c> Wildlife after the removal
• of the dams Wildlife after the removal of the dams that<00:17:04.120><c> have</c> that have that have

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Debris removal, when we see land management and our reforestation activities, thank you for the support
• about some other storms that have impacted the state, but the majority of that is our storm debris removal
• On some of our locks and dams, they haven't been maintained, but they haven't been fully rehabilitated
• And then we've been uncorking U.S. 41, which was acting like a dam, to try to get it to Florida Bay.
• And then we've been uncorking U.S. 41, which was acting like a dam, to try to get it to Florida Bay.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dam safety funding is essential to maintain the structural integrity of dams, prevent public safety hazards
• And the current highest priority on that list is the dam removal at the Rapidan Dam.
• essential</c><01:07:16.000><c> to</c> Dam safety funding is essential to Dam safety funding is essential
• And per the dam safety priority list.
• </c> list is the dam removal at the Rapidan list is the dam removal at the Rapidan Dam.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . any elected town officer may be removed any elected town officer may be removed from<01:45:04.960><
• In either case, the vote be removed.
• The officer shall be removed only if at The officer shall be removed only if at least<01:46:28.400><c
• The Senate relating to dam safety.
• Previously, it said for state or federal dams in Vermont that are high hazard potential dams, and again

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we, this committee has learned that our dams are in serious peril, including the high-hazard dams
• </c> opinion the most from having the the dam opinion the most from having the the dam uh<00:42:13.440
• Then authorizes stateowned dams.
• </c><00:45:38.800><c> the</c> and Cultural Resources to remove the and Cultural Resources to remove the
• </c><00:54:21.280><c> unnecessary</c> donation process, removing unnecessary donation process, removing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So either option removes, you know, polluting trucks and stuff like that.
• Vice Chairman, for your amendment removing... Although we do want to thank you, Mr.
• Vice Chairman, for your amendment removing the first part of the bill.
• But the particular area that this is focused on is between Highway 85 and the Gillespie Dam.
• This other one is from the 85, about 12 miles, that's going west toward Gillespie Dam. Mr.

Summary: The committee met to hear and vote on a series of appropriations and transportation-related bills, beginning with SB 1550, which would fund a Queen Creek police pilot program focused on runaway youth prevention, at-risk youth protection, and anti-trafficking work. Supporters said the town and local facilities already contribute personnel and administrative support, while some members urged Queen Creek to add local matching funds. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote. The committee then considered SB 1156 and SB 1157, both $20 million border-related reimbursement bills sponsored by Senator Rogers. SB 1156 would reimburse cities, towns, and counties for short-term detention hold costs for unauthorized non-citizens, and SB 1157 would reimburse local governments for supplemental fencing or bollard walls in high-crossing border areas. Both bills drew strong opposition from public commenters who described them as funding detention and border enforcement at the expense of other needs, while supporters framed them as backfilling local costs already incurred. SB 1156 passed 5-3, and SB 1157 passed 5-3. The committee also approved SB 1245, which would fund pavement replacement on Rodeo Road in Williams, and SB 1707, which would provide $5 million for AI-related border security at DPS. SB 1245 passed 6-3, with some members objecting that the state highway user revenue fund is underfunded and local contributions should be required. SB 1707 passed 6-4 after testimony split between supporters who favored using AI and surveillance tools for border security and opponents who said the bill was too vague, too expensive, or inappropriate given other state priorities. Later, the committee advanced SB 1273, funding pavement rehabilitation on Ogle Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon, and SB 1811, which would clarify that school districts and charter schools may allow wireless device use in the case of an emergency rather than during an emergency. SB 1273 passed 6-4 amid debate over state versus local funding responsibility, and SB 1811 passed 8-1 after testimony that the change would give schools more flexibility and avoid practical problems during emergencies. The committee also heard SB 1088, a cybersecurity appropriation for DHS, and SB 1332, which would require ADOT to study light rail expansion in Maricopa County versus autonomous or semi-autonomous transit options. SB 1088 passed 6-4 despite concerns that the appropriation was vendor-driven and not requested by the department. SB 1332 drew extensive testimony from small business owners along Indian School Road who said light rail construction had harmed access and sales, while Phoenix/Valley Metro opposed the bill and questioned ADOT’s role; the discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chad Dam here full holds 4 and a half million acre-feet, so we've been discussing a raise of Chad Dam
• Chad Dam here full holds 4 and a half million acre-feet, so we've been discussing a raise of Chad Dam
• You've probably heard of the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Tellico Dam.
• </c><00:57:01.440><c> some</c> Palisades that was going to remove some Palisades that was going to remove
• This bipartisan bill will remove unfair tax...

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this will accelerate things like dam removals that return rivers to natural flows, salt marsh restoration
• So this will accelerate things like dam removals that return rivers to natural flows, salt marsh restoration
• And so we're doing some work looking at different options around carbon dioxide removal.
• dams.
• Carbon removal through our terrestrial ecosystems is a critical path for net zero.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and related provisions in Governor Healey’s $3 billion Mass Ready Act. EEA officials described the bill’s investments in flooding, land protection, tree planting, wetlands restoration, biodiversity, dams, seawalls, and coastal resilience, along with permitting reforms intended to speed ecological restoration projects. They also outlined current programs on resilient lands, healthy soils, forest climate solutions, forest reserves, and urban tree planting, and said the administration expects natural and working lands to offset up to 7 million metric tons of residual emissions by 2050, while acknowledging that additional strategies will be needed to close the gap to the state’s 10-million-ton offset target. Committee members pressed EEA on the cost of reaching the 30% conservation-by-2030 goal, the loss of a federal USDA grant of about $22 million, the adequacy of current sequestration estimates, and whether the state should consider regional approaches or statutory changes. EEA said current state conservation spending has been about $35 million to $40 million annually, that the Mass Ready Act is intended to help double the pace of conservation, and that federal funding remains uncertain. Senators also raised concerns about PILOT payments for state-owned land, the management of state forests, and the proposed Chapter 91 general license for restoration projects. EEA said the bill’s forest reserve language is meant to create a more durable designation process while still allowing limited active management. Advocates from The Nature Conservancy and Mass Audubon supported stronger investment in land conservation and restoration, saying natural and working lands are a cost-effective climate strategy that also provides biodiversity, water quality, and public health benefits. They urged passage of legislation to increase funding, improve PILOT equity, and strengthen land-use planning and mitigation requirements. They also backed removing Chapter 91 licensing requirements for ecological restoration, arguing that the current process adds cost and delay. In a later panel, a forest scientist and an urban forestry advocate emphasized the carbon and cooling benefits of mature trees, called for greater protection of older forests, and supported bills to expand municipal reforestation and modernize public shade tree law. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:23:53.720><c> the</c> Adopting DOE's amendment to remove the Adopting DOE's amendment to remove
• </c><00:24:10.120><c> the</c> Adopting DLNR's amendment to remove the Adopting DLNR's amendment to remove
• c> removing</c><00:24:21.800><c> the</c> nursing special fund, removing the nursing special fund, removing
• appurtenance improvement and and dam appurtenance improvement and removal<00:24:36.000><c> grant</c>
• </c> removal grant program. removal grant program. Any<00:24:38.680><c> discussion?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met in decision-making sessions and considered a long list of Senate bills, with no oral testimony taken. Several measures were advanced unamended, including SB 2178 on industrial hemp, SB 2277 on hospital price transparency, SB 2387 on digital financial asset transaction kiosks, SB 2688 on compassionate release, SB 3132 on syndromic surveillance data reporting, SB 3219 on housing infrastructure growth bonds, and others. Many bills were also advanced with technical or substantive amendments, including SB 2114 on collective bargaining grievance rights, SB 2601 on procurement penalties, SB 2698 on cruise ships/transportation, SB 2757 on digital asset charters, SB 2948 on insurance fraud, SB 2002 on water governance, SB 2022 on state water code penalties, SB 2190 on inclusionary zoning, SB 3294 on wrongful imprisonment compensation, and SB 17, SB 2407, SB 2811, SB 2907, SB 2930, SB 3084, SB 3103, and SB 2808 in the later agenda segment. The committee also discussed SB 2080, relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact, where one senator objected to interstate compacts as opening local jobs to out-of-state professionals; despite that objection, the measure was adopted. SB 3133 on preventive medicine drew amendment discussion to remove unnecessary language about committee members not being state employees and to delete an immunity subsection, while preserving ethics-code coverage and provider immunity. SB 3000 on insurance was amended to remove a savings clause, and SB 2921 on fund transfers received extensive amendments removing or revising numerous special funds and revolving accounts across agencies. Most votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, often with members present voting aye or with reservations. A few measures drew recorded no votes or reservations, including SB 2080, SB 3133, SB 2921, and SB 2401, where one member voted with reservations and the committee report was to reflect the Attorney General’s comments. In each case, the committee adopted the recommendation and moved the bills forward.