Transcript Highlights:

• The first one would be a Level 1 project, the Shoshone Irrigation District master plan with JUB for $470,000
• Any questions concerning this project? project? project?
• Um, irrigation projects where public benefit allows, windmills, which we don't see too many of, uh, rural
• Um irrigation<00:18:21.679> uh<00:18:22.160> projects<00:18:22.640> where<00:18:
• 22.960> public irrigation uh projects where public irrigation uh projects where public benefit

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Grand Farm is the lead on the project, but it's a collaborative project with several other partners,
• Moving on to irrigation: when placed in the right areas and properly managed, irrigation can help reduce
• The question of the number of projects that have had EA and sort of where those projects fall within
• , little projects?
• So with the project, without the project analyses, without the project would change the baseline.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent a very different district with a big irrigation system.
• I am the manager of the Elephant Butte Irrigation District in Las Cruces.
• These are restorative thinning projects for the northern mountains and mitigation projects for the Canadian
• ... ...Northern Mountains and mitigation projects for the Canadian.
• There aren't amounts associated with the projects, but the projects have applied for funding, and as

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These projected enrollment growth units are Supplemental appropriation request.
• projects don't require. the use of EPDs.
• That would specifically only refer to public and private projects.
• So if a project owner of a LEED certified building, if they were interested in wanting to procure lower
• Are we pulling money out of a fund and allocating it to this project, or was it, because I don't recall

Bills: HB253, HB153, HB255, HB287, HB371, SB151, HB8, SB177

Keywords: distance learning, virtual instruction, public education, student enrollment, school funding, education standards, pandemic education response, low-carbon construction, construction materials, rebate, environmental product declaration, EPD, embodied carbon, carbon intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonization, industrial incentives, clean manufacturing, cement, concrete

Transcript Highlights:

• This is House Bill 63, emergency clause, NMFA Water Project Fund projects.
• 113 projects sought by 75 public entities.
• One project did not move forward, but all other 113 are recommended.
• The total of the projects is about $522 million, which is more money than we have available.
• House Bill 64 is the Public Project Revolving Fund appropriations bill.

Bills: HB63, HB64, HB184, HB200, HB47, HB48, HB2, HB9

Keywords: water project fund, New Mexico Finance Authority, NMFA, Water Trust Board, water infrastructure, wastewater, drinking water, flood prevention, watershed restoration, water storage, conveyance, delivery, water treatment, recycling, reuse, municipal infrastructure, local government finance, capital outlay, grants, loans

Transcript Highlights:

• This is only those high volume water users, like you said, our data center irrigation, you know, sometimes
• It has people from the industrial water conservation, water irrigation, water, agricultural water, municipal
• There is some projected cost to the To the OwRB, but not a significant amount. And I apologize.
• Well, you know, I've got a complement very much the Irrigators, they you know, panhandle irrigators,
• , last year we set up that all counties with an irrigation district would have to participate.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Row three, this is the projected spending through maintenance level.
• Ro three, this is the projected spending through maintenance level.
• In the middle, you can see piping of open canals on the Wapato irrigation project to achieve more efficient
• any large infrastructure project like transportation.
• A common one is irrigation of ball fields or the like.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held a work session covering the state revenue outlook, caseload forecasts, wildfire costs, budget balance, tort liability, water supply, and pension policy. The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council reported modest near-term U.S. growth, no near-term Washington employment growth in 2026, continued personal income growth, and elevated inflation, with tariffs and federal policy cited as major risks. Revenue forecasts were slightly improved for the current biennium by about $105 million but down about $185 million for the next biennium. Members asked about income inequality and housing permits; staff said personal income is an aggregate measure and housing production remains below long-term needs. The Caseload Forecast Council then reported that most forecasts were unchanged or only slightly changed, but several programs increased, including Washington College Grant, Working Connections, aged/blind/disabled cash grants, nursing homes, home and community services, and developmental disabilities personal care. The largest policy-driven change was in Medicaid low-income adult caseloads, where federal H.R. 1 was projected to reduce coverage substantially through narrower eligibility, community engagement requirements, and shorter eligibility periods. The committee also heard a wildfire funding update and a 2025 fire season review. Staff explained that the state budgets $93 million annually for suppression and uses supplemental appropriations for costs above that level, with an estimated state supplemental need of about $139 million for the current year. Department of Natural Resources officials said 2025 fire activity remained below the 10-year average in acres burned, but fires were more complex and closer to communities, contributing to higher residence loss. They described expanded use of aircraft, firefighters from other states, corrections crews, and the Arcadia 20 hand crew, and said the state did not need National Guard ground support this year. A budget preview then showed that the near general fund outlook had worsened after vetoes, lapses, and forecast changes, and that maintenance-level costs alone would leave a projected negative balance by fiscal year 2027 and about $4.3 billion by fiscal year 2029, before any policy decisions. Jason Seams, the state risk manager, reported a sharp rise in tort claim costs, with indemnity expenses nearly doubling from fiscal year 2023 to 2025 and DCYF accounting for most of the increase. He said the state self-insurance liability account has run deficits for four straight biennia and is now facing nearly $600 million in deficits, driven largely by a surge in DCYF claims, especially juvenile rehabilitation and long-running sex abuse cases. Members asked about the role of old claims, comparisons with other states, excess insurance, and whether more Attorney General staff could reduce special assistant attorney general costs. The committee then shifted to water policy, hearing from tribal leaders, Ecology, and the Washington Water Trust. Tribal witnesses emphasized overappropriation, declining flows, climate impacts, and the need for legislative oversight and tribal participation in water policy. Ecology described major projects in the Odessa sub-area, Yakima Basin, and Dungeness, along with the need for storage, recharge, conservation, and policy changes to support water supply development. The Washington Water Trust argued that climate change is reducing summer flows and that the state needs more funding, enforcement, and long-term commitment to restore instream flows. The final item was a pension update on LEOFF 1 surplus assets; staff reviewed two 2025 bills that would have merged or restructured the plan and used surplus assets, but neither passed, and instead the budget directed the Select Committee on Pension Policy to study the issue and report back.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is a Game and Fish Department project. It's a multiyear project.
• <00:02:55.920> Uh project. It's a multipleyear project. Uh project.
• large project. large project.
• projects, but there are many others. projects, but there are many others.
• running with the large projects. running with the large projects.

Bills: SF0052, SF0024

Keywords: wildlife management, environmental restoration, funding, invasive species, aquatic ecosystems, native fish, habitat conservation, lottery, debit card payments, gambling regulations, state revenue, financial transactions, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The entire recovery strategy is based on the Water First project, which is a proposed project to pump
• And we are not opposed to the project.
• You can catch water in your yard and use it for irrigation so easily.
• The recovery strategy itself isn't just this project.
• that are in the regional water supply plan, we do have this one big project that – it's one big project

Bills: S0598, S0934, S1260, S1300, S1452, S1510, S1566, S1580, S1668, S7034

Keywords: funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care, direct disposal, mortuary science, funeral service arts, licensure by endorsement, cemetery license, contiguous acres, consumer services

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed project is part of a larger package of projects. MnDOT and St.
• The county is seeking $8 million for the project. Funding for a $22.6 million project.
• that project.
• You can see our project prices.
• This is a project...

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• This project asset preservation project.
• The proposed project is part of a larger package of projects. MnDOT and St.
• that project.
• > which to that project. our project which which to that project. our project which which is<00:40
• This does not apply to things like major projects around wastewater projects and around sewage projects

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• But this project is that new pipeline all the way into Phoenix and then the reversal of that West Line
• And so Kinder Morgan is a partner in a project.
• And these projects would come online within three years at the earliest. That might be optimistic.
• So the pipeline project is not changing their specifications. Okay. Then my second question, Mr.
• I've worked with the irrigation district since 1987. I've been the manager since 1987.

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Summary: The committee began with an informational presentation from Gordon Shemp of Nemecu Analytics on Arizona transportation fuel supply and pricing. He explained that Arizona sits at the end of the pipeline system, relies on limited terminal inventories, and can experience only about a seven-day fuel supply if pipelines are disrupted. He attributed recent price spikes to constrained pipeline capacity, Kinder Morgan pressure reductions after PHMSA anomaly reviews, and recovering demand, and he also discussed California refinery closures, increased imports from overseas, and proposed new pipeline capacity into Phoenix from the east. Committee members asked about fuel formulations and pipeline logistics, and Shemp said the proposed project would not change fuel specifications, only transport capacity. The committee then took up House Bill 2758, which would allow eligible entities in La Paz County’s McMullen Valley groundwater basin to transport groundwater to AMAs under specified limits and conditions, with related provisions on fees, districts, and water improvement programs. Supporters, including Stan Barnes, Jim Downing, and Barry Arons, argued the bill follows the Harquahala model, provides needed augmentation for urban Arizona, and includes local benefits and guardrails. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, Devonna Sater, and Ed Curry, said the bill would worsen groundwater decline, subsidence, and well failures in Salome and Wenden and favored outside investors over rural residents. After debate, the committee approved HB 2758 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard and advanced several other water-related bills. HB 2031, extending the deadline to apply for grandfathered groundwater rights in the Wilcox AMA from 15 to 27 months, passed 5-2 after some members said the extension was unnecessary and would delay protections. HB 2102, allowing county improvement districts in subsequent AMAs or groundwater transportation basins to use eminent domain for a well and standpipe site and water hauling, passed 4-3 after Sierra Club testimony called it a limited “band-aid” rather than a real solution. HB 2103, which would let water improvement programs accept gifts and dedicate groundwater transportation fee revenue to local residential water hauling and delivery, also passed 4-3. HB 2117, a technical cleanup bill shifting Environmental Special Plate Fund administration to the Natural Resource Conservation Board and raising education-center distributions from $5,000 to $10,000, passed 5-2 despite concerns about the fund’s administration. The committee then considered HB 2261, which changes agricultural property tax terminology and valuation rules. County assessors and the Arizona Association of Counties opposed it, warning it would effectively exempt many agricultural improvements from taxation and shift costs to residential taxpayers; the Arizona Farm Bureau supported it as a clarification that would provide certainty for agriculture. The bill passed 4-3. Finally, HB 2262, transferring the Resource Analysis Division from the State Land Department to the Arizona Geological Survey and revising geospatial advisory responsibilities, was introduced, with State Land Department staff saying they were neutral but noting the bill would need clearer statutory duties if RAD is removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes lots of different types of projects.
• Not only vetting the projects, but also making the Final prioritization of the projects that get funded
• It started Out as major water projects.
• It's A what is that project called on the east side?
• Wait For my shot to irrigate right.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and our water supply projects.
• So we're excited about that project.
• And then if you'd mentioned one of your other projects, but is there any particular project—either just
• Improvement Project is an alternative water supply development and water resource development project
• Those projects are chosen.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work. Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions. Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll see lakeshore stabilization projects, cover crop seed mix expertise, working with livestock
• nutrient management guidance, monitoring our lake water quality, working with urban residents on projects
• cover crop seed mix projects cover crop seed mix expertise<00:04:41.320> working<00:04:41.720
• like rain Gardens residents on projects like rain Gardens to<00:04:53.960> help<00:04:54.560>
• management so that they're on irrigation management so that they're not<00:05:03.639> um<00:05

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1066, a Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill. An author’s amendment, 66A1, was offered and adopted by voice vote, putting the bill in the form preferred by the author. The amendment and bill discussion centered on changing the state aid level for SWCDs, with the bill as amended described as eliminating a scheduled reduction in funding and instead increasing the annual appropriation to $22 million. Representative Ryer explained that SWCDs are long-standing, locally elected conservation entities that help preserve soil and water quality, support farmers and homeowners, and do not have levy authority. He said the funding level was based on a bottom-up assessment of district needs and was intended to help districts maintain staffing and address local problems early. Sheila Vany of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts testified in support, saying the aid has been a major improvement in SWCD funding and describing district work such as lakeshore stabilization, cover crops, nutrient management, lake monitoring, rain gardens, and irrigation guidance. The chair noted the voluntary nature of SWCD work with willing landowners and expressed support for the bill. No opposition testimony was presented, and no department testimony was offered. The committee then laid House File 1066, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another major component is the water that's allocated for the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project, or NIP
• Staff to look at the feasibility, to look at these projects, and one of the big priorities is what projects
• judged on the merits of that project.
• The project is led by NMSU researchers, including Dr.
• If somebody comes to me for a project to get some advice on a project they're considering in New Mexico

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural Resource Damage Settlement funded those projects. 57 natural resource projects, restoration projects
• It's a soil health project.
• And then we have projects with two separate irrigation districts that are helping make repairs to the
• irrigation ditches.
• On page 9, photographs of the irrigation improvement projects again focused on agriculture.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the first project is a continuation of the upper Greyel fish passage project.
• ladders, uh, irrigation infrastructure. ladders, uh, irrigation infrastructure.
• . project. project.
• This one is a large project. The third project is the Absaroka Front Cheatgrass.
• Chairman, the final project is the Western Wyoming cheatgrass project.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian, when irrigation water under your department, do you guys normally pay for the irrigation water
• Brian, when irrigation water under your department, do you guys normally pay for the irrigation water
• So the the ceiling is 1.5 irrigation.
• > water Brian, when um irrigation water Brian, when um irrigation water um<01:07:55.200> under
• <01:08:04.720> water<01:08:05.760> that's for the irrigation water that's for the irrigation

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.

Transcript Highlights:

• Snowpack augmentation adds to the eligible water supply development projects.
• This does appropriate $100,000 for expanding locations for good recharge projects.
• use from non-exempt wells and irrigation non-expansion areas, and allows a person to substitute irrigated
• acres or replace non-exempt wells for irrigation use in subsequent INAs.
• As you know, we have active management areas, and we have irrigation non-expansion areas.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.