Transcript Highlights:

• We support funding for new water projects and for water infrastructure projects We support incentives
• Our members build water, wastewater projects, pipelines, flood control. projects for municipalities,
• water project in place.
• Given the size of these projects and the costs that have increased and the complexity of those projects
• So we need large projects, both traditional and innovative projects to get new. water supplies and to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:03.520> money<00:25:03.760> to<00:25:03.919> do<00:25:05.039> and<
• <00:25:14.400> Now<00:25:14.799> the<00:25:15.120> point<00:25:15.360> I<
• <00:25:22.400> showing<00:25:22.720> that<00:25:22.960> the<00:25:23.360>
• And it seems<00:25:32.080> like<00:25:32.320> we're<00:25:32.640> getting<00:25:
• Fiscal year 25, like I said, we projected it in the middle of the public health emergency.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, $262.2 million is projected to go unspent in CAP, and $468.7 million is projected to go
• This increase was accomplished in two phases: 25 beds were added at the end of fiscal year 2024-25, and
• To address the high costs of this naloxone distribution project, HCAI was appropriated $25 million in
• That $25 million is comprised of two parts.
• The extended contract is projected... ...one year.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:00.720> U<00:25:01.039> so<00:25:01.200> this<00:25:01.440> had
• /c><00:25:05.760> and<00:25:06.000> 20.2<00:25:06.880> million<00:25:07.360>
• for current<00:25:18.159> facilities<00:25:18.960> and<00:25:19.120> that<00:25
• :25:20.640> over<00:25:20.880> 1.9<00:25:21.520> million<00:25:21.840> in
• > now<00:25:27.919> to<00:25:28.240> line<00:25:29.120> uh<00:25:29.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fire, aquatic plant management, and sediment removal projects.
• So a very exciting project. A very exciting project that the board just approved.
• This year, there's $25 million in state funding.
• But, again, it's balancing the authorized project purposes for this project.
• This is a tremendous project.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear presentations on Lake Okeechobee from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. FWC described the lake as a major recreation, water supply, and habitat resource, and outlined its habitat management plan, including control of invasive plants, prescribed fire, and restoration of native vegetation. The agency said low water levels have helped submerged aquatic vegetation recover, with gains in 2025 exceeding 24,000 acres and meeting its target, while torpedo grass and floating invasive plants remain active management priorities. Senators asked about bass fishing trends and blue-green algae; FWC said water levels are the main driver of fishery health and that it was not seeing current water-quality impacts on bass, though algal blooms can affect habitat and wildlife. The South Florida Water Management District focused on nutrient pollution, lake ecology, and restoration projects across the watershed. Director Drew Bartlett said the district’s work is aimed at reducing harmful discharges, improving water quality, and moving more water south to the Everglades through storage and treatment projects, including the EAA Reservoir, C-43 and C-44 reservoirs, aquifer storage and recovery, and wetland treatment areas. He said the state and federal governments have invested about $9 billion in restoration, roughly split 50-50, and that the EAA Reservoir is now targeted for completion in 2029. He also said Lake Okeechobee BMAP participation is around 92% and that recent data show phosphorus and nitrogen loading declines, though the lake remains impaired and eutrophic. An industry witness from Associated Industries of Florida said the BMAP and agricultural best management practices are producing measurable improvements and urged continued funding for water storage and treatment. The Army Corps of Engineers then explained LOSOM and Lake Recovery operations, saying the new operating approach balances flood control, water supply, navigation, ecology, and estuary protection. Colonel Brandon Bowman said Lake Recovery was implemented in late 2024 to bring the lake below 12 feet long enough to help submerged vegetation rebound, and reported that the lake met both recovery metrics, with water levels low enough to support a major increase in SAV from about 4,000 acres to 28,000 acres in 2025. He also noted benefits such as improved water clarity and more Okeechobee gourd plants, but acknowledged drawbacks including reduced navigation and some impacts to wading birds and snail kites. Senators pressed the Corps on the C-44 reservoir’s sloughing issue; Bowman said repairs are underway, the problem is geological rather than a safety failure, and the Corps expects to award a contract by 2027 and complete work by 2030. The committee did not take any substantive vote on the presentations and adjourned after Senator Smith moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• > for<00:25:45.360> helping<00:25:45.760> young<00:25:46.000> people<00:25
• 00:25:47.520> is<00:25:47.919> um<00:25:48.159> just<00:25:48.400> comes<
• > all<00:25:50.159> know<00:25:50.320> that<00:25:50.480> when<00:25:50.640>
• :51.120> then<00:25:51.279> the<00:25:51.440> rest<00:25:51.600> of<00:25
• <00:25:58.559> So<00:25:58.799> a<00:25:58.960> fiscal<00:25:59.279> note

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Where geographically in Texas are y'all hopeful that some of these projects might be viable?
• project is completed.
• It helps local governments keep projects on track.
• The bill simply raises that limit from $1 million or 25% to $5 million or 25%. for more flexible projects
• A contract with an original price of five million or more may not be increased by more than 25%.

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• That's down slightly from what we now estimate was total available revenues for 24-25 biennium.
• 24 25. Yeah let me pull up it's not in your handout but I I do have that information with me.
• Franchise tax grew by 25 percent.
• I appreciate that, and for the beginning balance of fiscal 24-25, do you have that number?
• Maybe the landlord raises the rent in 2026 because 25 taxes were higher.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is 25 to zero. Vote being 25 to >> yes. It is 25 to zero.
• They're forced<02:25:41.120> to<02:25:41.359> cover<02:25:41.760> approved<02:25
• <02:25:52.960> available<02:25:53.840> with<02:25:54.080> a<02:25:54.240>
• And<02:25:58.960> the<02:25:59.200> testimony<02:25:59.680> was<02:25:59.920>
• >> Should be 25. >> 25. >> 25. >> 25.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met on October 30 to act on a series of bills that had been considered during the budget process, with many being recommended for inexpedient to legislate because their funding or policy language had already been handled in House Bill 2. Early actions were largely unanimous. House Bill 54, allowing alternate treatment centers to operate for profit, was recommended ought to pass and was approved 25-0, then placed on the consent calendar because it carried no appropriation. House Bill 97, a wastewater and infrastructure appropriation, was recommended inexpedient to legislate because its funding had been replaced in HB 2; Representative Rum opposed the motion and argued the grant funding helps local taxpayers and housing development, but the committee adopted ITL 14-11, with a minority report to follow. House Bill 111, dealing with the right-to-know ombudsman, was also unanimously recommended ITL because the budget had already made related reforms. The committee then took up House Bill 164, and adopted Amendment 225-2979H, which appropriates $150,000 in FY 2027 to the Secretary of State’s Division of Archives and Records Management for a local government records manager position. The amended bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended and approved 25-0. House Bill 197, the Property Tax Relief Act, drew the most extended debate. Supporters said it would restore a state contribution to retirement costs for local employers and provide property tax relief, while opponents argued the earlier change was largely offset by employee contribution increases and other retirement-system adjustments. The committee ultimately adopted ITL 14-11, and a minority report was requested. The committee also acted on House Bill 215, a landfill-related bill. Members explained that most of its language had been included in HB 2 but was removed in conference, so the bill was retained and amended to apply more narrowly to new landfills. Amendment 2025-2970H was adopted unanimously, and the bill was then recommended ought to pass as amended by a 25-0 vote. House Bill 216, which would change retirement eligibility rules for certain workers injured on the job, was recommended inexpedient to legislate after its sponsor said the fiscal impact was too uncertain to support. Finally, House Bill 219 received Amendment 2025-2988H to change its effective date to July 1, 2027, and discussion began on the bill’s broader purpose of returning about $5.7 million annually from RPS funds to ratepayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• on that project is Environmental Engineering Analytics.
• Do you ever work with Project ECHO at UNM?
• Project ECHO is like the go-to for virtual training.
• So we've also started that partnership project.
• of projects in order to ensure well-driller availability for future well-installation projects.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the end of the 25-26 fiscal year, DSH projects a total patient census of 8,527 patients, an increase
• So we funded over 130 projects, and these projects can have multiple.
• Whole facility types on their projects.
• Can they get the project done on time?
• Our budget projections include...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, due to projected growth in certain student populations, WADA is projected to continue to increase
• The SEP is projected to decrease 6.8 cents. from Fiscary 25 to Fiscary 27 due to that.
• This is comparing to that 24-25 adjusted base.
• Inflation is up by 25.
• Again, 25% inflation. That's. should be $1.25 now.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the 24 25 appropriations, but it does include local funds.
• But it is you're starting pouring for your 25. 25 26 discussions of the budget because the bay, so it's
• One of the projects also receives ID, A part B funds. Here.
• You will hear from representatives from both projects.
• , projects and other agencies.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We just completed round one of this year and had awards of 75 projects compared to 34 projects from last
• After projects are placed in service, projects have to be re-reviewed by staff.
• After projects are placed in service, projects have to be re-reviewed by staff, and once the projects
• After projects are placed in service, projects have to be re-reviewed by staff.
• After projects are placed in service, projects have to be re-reviewed by staff, and once the projects

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd<00:25:09.600> like<00:25:09.840> you<00:25:10.000> to<00:25:10.080> come<
• /c><00:25:10.240> up<00:25:10.559> testify<00:25:11.039> on<00:25:11.279> this
• <00:25:16.559> You<00:25:16.799> guys,<00:25:17.279> you<00:25:17.600> guys
• > and<00:25:22.000> so<00:25:22.159> I<00:25:22.320> want<00:25:22.480>
• c><01:25:16.880> be<01:25:17.159> held<01:25:18.159> and<01:25:18.320> that's

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The data request from CPR, they jumped from 3 in 2020 to a projected 170 in 2025.
• As well as hundreds of millions for the build-out of capital outlay projects. Okay.
• to complete the remaining projects.
• The JCC had recommended a 30% increase for the projects, but the projects did not make it into the Governor's
• The projects themselves are private contractors with the state.

Summary: The committee heard budget and workload presentations from the Office of the State Public Defender, legal aid organizations, and the Judicial Branch. OSPD requested permanent funding for positions that had been temporarily funded to implement the Racial Justice Act, explaining that the work has become ongoing and now includes additional Supreme Court briefing, habeas proceedings, investigations, expert analysis, and data requests. The State Public Defender also presented the AB 625 public defense workload report, which found statewide staffing shortages, caseloads above recommended standards, and major gaps in investigators and support staff. Senators asked about racial bias claims, the volume of data requests, and the impact of Prop. 36, and OSPD said it would provide additional written information. The legal aid panel asked for a $50 million increase to the Equal Access Fund, $20 million to restart homelessness prevention services, and $10 million for health care access work, while also supporting Access to Justice Commission requests for loan repayment assistance, immigrant family preparedness services, and innovation grants. Witnesses described legal aid as homelessness prevention and cited examples involving eviction defense, domestic violence survivors, and immigration detention cases. Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Sergio Tapia discussed eviction data, low tenant representation, and court pilots in Compton and at Stanley Mosk that combine mediation, rental assistance, and legal help. Senators asked for service maps, outreach materials, and more detail on funding needs and federal funding losses. For the Judicial Branch overview, the Judicial Council and trial court representatives supported the Governor’s proposed budget, including $70 million for trial court operations, $21.7 million for employee health and retirement costs, and funding for appellate counsel, case processing, and courthouse construction. They said rising costs, staffing retention, and interpreter shortages continue to strain the courts, and described efforts to reallocate interpreter funds and recruit hard-to-find languages such as Mixteco. Senators pressed the branch and the Department of Finance on courthouse facilities, noting that the long-term need is far larger than the current budget proposal; Finance said the branch’s facility needs were estimated at about $22.5 billion over 10 years to start 68 projects and $29.4 billion to complete the remaining projects. The committee requested follow-up information on facilities, judgeships, and interpreter needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Completed projects flow out and then based upon funding levels new projects will flow in while existing
• Annual project awards have increased 27 percent just for inflation and project development dollars per
• These projects are in the state.
• construction projects but some evaluation evaluations, studies, and you will see some smaller projects
• That's for specific projects.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those projections have underperformed.
• And those projections have underperformed.
• less than what the original projections are.
• And they're going to perform at 25% less than what the original projections are.
• He said they're only performing at 25% of what they were originally projected.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• .<02:25:55.200> Russell<02:25:55.840> National<02:25:56.240> School<02:25:56.560
• :25:20.000> their<03:25:20.160> communities,<03:25:20.560> but<03:25:20.800>
• , but what they did<03:25:21.439> for<03:25:22.000> the<03:25:22.239> state<03:25
• <03:25:36.399> nation,<03:25:37.040> what<03:25:37.279> our<03:25:37.520>
• > make<03:25:41.920> the<03:25:42.160> United<03:25:42.560> States<03:25:

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

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:06.960> So,<00:25:07.200> with<00:25:07.520> Oh,<00:25:07.760> I'm
• Um you<00:25:14.160> know,<00:25:14.360> I<00:25:14.440> think<00:25:15.120>
• > last<00:25:16.840> one,<00:25:16.960> I<00:25:17.040> wish<00:25:17.320
• > So,<00:25:39.160> I<00:25:39.240> think<00:25:39.440> this<00:25:39.640
• > uh<00:25:42.200> I'm<00:25:42.600> I<00:25:42.679> will<00:25:42.840>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all