Transcript Highlights:

• </c> like but you know to protect our Waters like but you know to protect our Waters we<00:48:48.760>
• </c> for helping to protect our Water for helping to protect our Water Resources Resources Resources
• crisis and water insecurity.
• crisis and water insecurity.
• </c> there was water there was water contamination<01:36:34.760><c> and</c><01:36:35.400><c> um</c><01

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• So anyway, what it does, it just provides certainty for everybody's water rights across the basin, and
• And then it also creates a water bank, which has been used in the Lemhi Basin as well.
• So they will be able to rent water. There's set fees for rent and water anyway.
• And then it also creates a water bank, which has been used in the Lemhi Basin as well.
• So they will be able to rent water. There's set fees for rent and water anyway.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met to consider several RS introductions, all of which were approved without opposition. Representative Mendive introduced RS 33-545, which he said would codify a long-running water rights agreement, provide certainty across the basin, and create a water bank for renting water; he declared Rule 80 because he is a plaintiff in related litigation. Representative Healy presented RS 33-367, a technical correction to a measure exempting certain certified designers so they can sign and seal limited non-structural, non-seismic interior construction drawings, with updated rulemaking language. Representative Sauter introduced RS 33-539, which would restore DMV license suspensions for unpaid traffic infractions, citing increased unpaid traffic debt and the need for stronger consequences and safety enforcement. Representative Monks introduced RS 33-370 C2, a drafting cleanup for small seller/yard sale tax language intended to return to Revenue and Taxation for a full hearing. Representative Palmer presented RS 33-563, which would redirect a portion of beer excise tax-related fees from the permanent building fund to the Idaho State Police to help with pay; members asked questions about the funding amount, current operation, and committee referral, and the motion to introduce it passed. The committee adjourned after all motions carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Idaho Water Users Association. It's a pleasure to be before your committee today.
• Our members are generally speaking irrigation districts, canal companies, groundwater districts, water
• We do have several members who provide potable water for in-home use as well.
• We do have several members who provide potable water for in-home use as well.
• I'm the water master for Water District 65, and that's in the Payette Basin.

Summary: The Senate Commerce committee approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then heard three gubernatorial appointments. Erica Malman of Boise was introduced for the Idaho Personnel Commission; she described her background as a natural resources attorney and law firm managing partner, and senators asked about the challenges and rewards of commission service and her legal practice. Brett Thomas of Twin Falls was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and Dr. Karen Cabell of Post Falls was appointed to the same board; both briefly outlined their professional backgrounds and service, and the committee indicated it would likely vote on the appointments the following Tuesday. The committee then considered two DOPL rules dockets. Docket 24-3201-2101 for the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors moved licensing fees into rule, formalized a 60% fee reduction, and removed intern-related fees; it received no public comments and was approved. Docket 24-3950-2101 for the Public Works Contractors Board finalized temporary fee reductions of 16% to 20% and added “not to exceed” language to allow future reductions; it also drew no public comments and was approved effective sine die. Senate Bill 1221 was presented by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association and supported by a water master from Water District 65. The bill would change Percy retirement language from “irrigation district” to “irrigation or drainage entity” so seasonal retirees can work up to eight months for certain water entities without triggering penalties, matching how the provision is already applied. The committee heard no opposition and voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. The final presentation was an informational briefing from NCCI on Idaho workers’ compensation. Todd Johnson explained NCCI’s role as the state’s rating bureau, described declining claim frequency and generally favorable combined ratios, and noted recent rate decreases, including a 2.5% overall decrease effective January 1, 2026, plus reductions in assigned-risk surcharges. Senators asked about high-risk employers, NCCI’s rating process, and whether it handles claims decisions; Johnson said NCCI sets class-code rate recommendations and does not decide compensability or claims adjustment. The committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under SB 1259, the State Water Board will...
• Brian White, on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
• As the nation's largest municipality that provides water and power for...
• That's what we do with Department of Water Resources. It's simply a phone call.
• by returning heated water to coastal environments.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> especially if it's a small water body. especially if it's a small water body.
• </c><00:17:31.919><c> bodies</c> warnings being issued for water bodies warnings being issued for water
• Thank you very much. monthly um sampling of water uh from our monthly um sampling of water uh from our
• </c> runoff into the waters and the lakes. runoff into the waters and the lakes.
• ,</c><00:34:24.720><c> as</c> from cyano bacteria to our waters, as from cyano bacteria to our waters

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These facilities also require millions These facilities also require millions of gallons of water to
• They can also consume significant amounts of water for cooling, and they can damage the environment in
• It protects ratepayers, it protects our communities, and it protects our land, air, and water.
• It addresses water usage.
• Waters of Evansburg Charlotte. Waters of Evansburg Charlotte. Waters of Evansburg Charlotte.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 929 by Assemblymember Connolly, an act relating to water.
• Assembly Bill 93 by Assemblymember Pappin, an act relating to water.
• water use in data centers.
• ignore the water footprint that they have.
• Let's log water. Thank you, Assemblymember Papan.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And after the war, he... water. And when the US entered World War water.
• 53:20.640><c> Act</c> Carper Water Resources Development Act Carper Water Resources Development Act of
• </c><05:16:07.520><c> Other</c> largest source of fresh water. Other largest source of fresh water.
• , storing clean water, and supporting our water-based economies.
• , storing clean water, and supporting our water-based economies.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Senator<00:05:18.800><c> Waters.</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Waters. &gt;&gt; Senator Waters.
• &gt;&gt; Senator<00:16:32.720><c> Waters.</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Waters. &gt;&gt; Senator Waters.
• Senator Waters, thank you. &gt;&gt; Understood. Senator Waters, thank you.
• Senator Waters.
• &gt;&gt; Senator<02:33:16.720><c> Waters.</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Waters. &gt;&gt; Senator Waters.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a water infrastructure roundtable.
• And one of them received a grant to help upgrade its water treatment plant, and its water infrastructure
• I think we all want to be sure that a water infrastructure system will provide clean drinking water when
• AND ONE OF THEM RECEIVED A GRANT TO HELP UPGRADE ITS WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND ITS WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
• I THINK WE ALL WANT TO BE SURE THAT A WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE CLEAN DRINKING WATER WHEN

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first measure before us is SB 984, relating to water pollution.
• Ernie La, Board of Water Supply.
• </c> deputy director um Commission on Water deputy director um Commission on Water Resource<00:20:03.000
• </c> significant to us at the Water significant to us at the Water Commission<00:20:20.520><c> um</c>
• </c><00:22:30.440><c> Supply</c> uh Aloha erow Board of Water Supply uh Aloha erow Board of Water Supply

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there enough water supply? He says, well, you know, we have plenty of water.
• It's dumping water out because it still has a million acre-feet of space left, but it's dumping water
• right now it's dumping dumping water right now it's dumping water<00:23:49.039><c> out</c><00:23:49.360
• </c><00:23:58.440><c> water</c> are they doing with that water water are they doing with that water water
• </c> Wells or coming from some other water Wells or coming from some other water source<00:24:36.799>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 13, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As chair of the Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, you can understand that I deal a lot with water
• I'm here to tell you that not one water item, including drinking water, inland waterways, stormwater,
• The water department is governed under Prop. 218.
• Well, what if we tell the water department that we need money from the water bills, the rates that you're
• The water department has an impact on roads.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and scrub habitat is a perfect recharge area for those aquifers that provide for eons, their fresh water
• The C 9 and common area is a key component of the Broward County Water Preserve areas project.
• We really can't water wide in the water to allow individuals, too, to use the waterways the way there
• Please vote down this bill so that all voters can enjoy our public waters, provide economic benefits,
• Lot of salt water, very, very coastal voting has been a large part of my life.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We place a huge amount of emphasis on water, quality control.
• We do it with water quality.
• Air and water samples have been taken in various parts of our state and also across the country.
• We are ensuring that Florida's air water and climate remain free from unauthorized manipulation.
• They seemed isolated as fish moved into cleaner waters.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything from Director Sali: Water to crime, so broad direction.
• Water Trust Board is one, where water projects can go there and roads can go to the Local Government
• average award from the Water Trust Board.
• The other policy for the water and wastewater and the roads.
• And so that becomes another issue, but the wastewater and water projects should all just go to the Water

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have one little issue: they need some water so they can water the trees.
• The water is there.
• of waters in that district. district. district.
• so they can that they need some water so they can water<00:48:34.319><c> the</c><00:48:34.559><c> trees
• It's important to The water is there.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so obviously we don't want those heavy metals in those waters to begin with.
• For instance, we have water seeps, which is what you see in D.
• Are you able to look for water sources underground as well? Absolutely.
• and that water moves.
• and to overcome the water shortage that we're having anyway.

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology heard Senate Bill 1046, which would prohibit critical telecommunications infrastructure in Arizona from using equipment manufactured or owned by a foreign adversary, require annual certification to the Corporation Commission, impose civil penalties for noncompliance, and bar violators from receiving certain public funds for telecom infrastructure. Marina Macklin testified in support, arguing the bill would reduce cybersecurity and national security risks tied to Chinese-linked telecom equipment and that states have an important role in procurement and infrastructure protection. Members asked about examples such as Huawei, the cost of compliance, whether the threat is current, and whether the bill duplicates federal efforts; Macklin said the measure targets public procurement, addresses existing risks, and complements rather than conflicts with federal action. The committee then voted 5-1 to return SB 1046 with a do pass recommendation, with one member citing concerns about timing and implementation. The committee also received a presentation from Craig Luxbacher of the University of Arizona on mining technology and the state’s role in critical minerals. He described Arizona as a hub for mining innovation and discussed university work on autonomous equipment, microgrids, pilot processing, tailings recovery, workforce training, and heat-stress monitoring. Members asked about microgrids, legal and policy changes needed to de-risk domestic mining, tariffs, workforce decline, and whether AI and automation would reduce jobs; Luxbacher said automation is driven by economics, not just regulation, and would likely create more skilled maintenance and technical jobs rather than eliminate the workforce. Jeremiah Pate of Lunisand then presented on subsurface imaging technology using geo-radio-tomography, which he said can image deep underground from airborne platforms and help locate critical minerals, aquifers, tunnels, and buried military infrastructure. Members asked about applications for archaeology, identifying mineral types, water detection, uniqueness of the technology, and possible defense uses. Pate said the company is working toward better mineral identification, can detect aquifers readily, and is currently the only company fielding this type of airborne subsurface imaging. The chair closed the meeting after thanking members and speakers, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires a report to Ecology of annual water and energy consumption, regulated refrigerants used to
• We also want to make sure that we've kind of seen stories about the water use and concerns.
• So we're asking for some sustainability reporting, particularly on water use and on some other chemical
• Data centers use less water than golf courses and than manufacturing in other sectors, yet they would
• water, and we need to be able to respond in real time if use is skyrocketing.

Bills: SB6171, SB5965, SB5982, SB6004, SB6010, SB5941, SB6050

Keywords: energy facilities, large energy consumers, regulation, environment, sustainability, retail bags, pollution, customer impact, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC

Transcript Highlights:

• Spokane, projects to expand and increase safety at juvenile rehabilitation facilities, and an ongoing water
• This adds some money to the lead remediation water pipes.
• It provides $8.6 million for things like water sewer treatment, our tunnel maintenance, roofs—you know
• The forest sits on the Carbon River, where all water runoff from the leaves eventually feeds into the
• The forest sits on the carbon river, where all water run off their leads, which eventually feeds into

Bills: SB6003

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, 904, all