Transcript Highlights:

• I have some retention projects right now for water and flooding.
• Does this change anything about the water sector program? No. Nothing at all.
• You know, in our water sector program, they're built on points and matches.
• And that also is carried over to Water Sector Committee, too. So Water Sector does that.
• So you don't always qualify for Water Sector.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 1088, which would authorize state and local sales and use tax rebates for certain items used in aerospace facilities and activities. Chairman Bacala, LED Secretary Susan Bouchois, and governor’s office representative Julie Emerson argued the bill would help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace and defense investment, build on Michoud’s history, and attract high-paying jobs. Members asked about job growth, the scope of aerospace versus defense, and whether downstream activities like jet fuel production could qualify. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then approved HB 1179, which extends the ad valorem tax exemption for certain manufacturing establishments to aerospace manufacturing establishments, also reporting it favorably without objection. HB 1122, a placeholder bill tied to a future path toward reducing the state income tax rate, was voluntarily deferred by its sponsor after brief explanation. The committee then heard HB 515, which would let political subdivisions sell certain adjudicated properties directly to buyers at appraised value if the property is under $50,000. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was intended to help parishes clear long-vacant blighted properties and return them to commerce and the tax rolls. Members raised concerns about transparency, competition, title issues, and possible conflicts with recent tax-sale reforms. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment requiring the property to have been offered at public auction within the preceding 12 months before an over-the-counter sale could occur, and HB 515 was reported favorably as amended. The committee next considered HB 440, a constitutional amendment allowing parishes to increase the homestead exemption above the current level. The sponsor said the exemption has not been updated since 1980 and argued that raising it would provide relief from rising property taxes, insurance costs, and cost of living pressures. Amendments were adopted requiring parish approval and a local election before implementation, and delaying effectiveness until 2030. Several members and LABI warned the change could shift tax burdens onto businesses and other taxpayers, create parish-by-parish disparities, and affect bond ratings. The committee voted 5-9 against reporting HB 440, and the sponsor voluntarily deferred the companion bill, HB 543. Finally, the committee took up HB 614, presented with help from eighth-grader Elijah Brown as part of a civics competition. The bill would rebate state sales taxes on lodging and meals for utility company workers performing disaster or emergency-related work. After discussion, the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill to water, gas, and electric utilities regulated by the PSC, limited the rebate period to 10 days after a declared disaster, tied eligible lodging and meal costs to federal per diem rates, and capped annual rebates at $55,000. Members asked about administration, eligible workers, and fiscal impact; the Department of Revenue said it could administer the rebate with existing resources. The discussion was ongoing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have tremendous impact on water consumption, on utility.
• This impact on water consumption, on utility rates, and so this is actually not an easy vote.
• Water consumption is amazing. You know, they take up time. You do have protections in this bill.
• For example, the Fontainebleau can build a huge water park in the next five years? Senator McLean.
• It's a promise to protect our drinking water, reduce flood risk, preserve farmland, and safeguard the

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions, then moved to House messages and special order business. The chamber concurred in amendments and passed Senate Bill 628 on transportation facility designations, CS/CS/HB 1389 on the Live Local affordable housing package, and CS/CS/HB 1451 on utility services. The utility bill’s House amendment shortened the phase-out of certain surcharges tied to bond covenants and advanced reporting deadlines for municipal utilities. The Senate also passed CS/CS/HB 1279, the education bill, after substituting it for SB 7038 and adopting an amendment that combined agreed-upon provisions on student health and safety, early learning, math, virtual instruction, career and technical education, school choice, university accountability, tuition protections, and financial aid. Several other bills were temporarily postponed, including SB 7036, SB 208, SB 1260, and SB 7034. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/CS/HB 484, the data centers bill. Senators discussed the House amendment’s changes to ratepayer protections, the removal of the Senate’s nondisclosure-agreement prohibition, the 12-month confidentiality period, and a required OPAGA study. Supporters emphasized stronger language preventing data center costs from being shifted to residential and commercial ratepayers, while opponents raised concerns about transparency, local notice, and the possibility that communities could be kept unaware of projects for up to a year. After debate, the Senate concurred in the House amendment and passed the bill. The chamber then took up CS/CS/HB 399 on land use and development regulations, where debate centered on a proposed Fontainebleau Hotel water park project in Miami Beach and a series of amendments. One amendment to remove the project-specific language failed, while other amendments were adopted, including a sunset provision and a change related to compost facility permitting. A broader amendment dealing with Miami-Dade’s urban development boundary was also adopted, preserving the existing supermajority threshold for changes. The most contentious proposal was an amendment by Senator Martin creating a process for property owners to challenge rural boundary designations and seek compensation or removal from the designation without going to court; senators debated property rights, local planning, and the impact on Orange and Seminole counties, and the discussion included sharp exchanges before the transcript ended during debate on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 191,000 acres of land and water that we manage. The uniqueness is that we're a small team.
• We deal with utilities infrastructure, and we produce our own. water.
• We're dealing with sewage, water lines, electric lines, roadways, and base course.
• That is across all navigable waters in the state of New Mexico.
• We do not, for Blue Water Lake State Park in Pruitt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm interested in—we have water projects that are looking for clean backup generation.
• We have for a federal award for clean backup generation for water facility resiliency and are trying
• It is a clean energy program, but it would be for a state water facility.
• I'm the Deputy Director for Statewide Energy at the Department of Water Resources.
• I'm the Deputy Director for Statewide Energy at the Department of Water Resources.

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another good win is exempting water resources from cuts.
• Another good win is exempting water resources from cuts.
• But data centers, she carved them out in her water moratorium.
• . it raised the prices of Her water moratorium shut it down.
• But data centers, she carved them out in her water moratorium.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Even more expensive would be to use chemistry through sort of extracting hydrogen out of water and you
• Both of those will have enormous impact on Southern California water supply.
• Supplying water is probably the most important function of the state of California.
• Supplying water is probably the most important function of the state of California.
• water delivery capacity report to inform how communities...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, if I can have some water in the room.
• Yes, this just changes the title to the Water Patrol Division.
• House Bill 2885 deals with the water patrol.
• All that and more needs to be used to help fund the water patrol.
• That will need to get their certification for operating a boat on the water.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 821 targets the moment when a family with a private well finds that the water they rely on
• However, with over 9,200 residents in southeastern Minnesota alone whose well water is at risk, when
• people to run a water truck out to<00:41:17.359><c> a</c><00:41:17.640><c> sprayer.
• we drink, the water our children drink, our friends, and our family.
• we drink, the water our children drink, our friends, and our family.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• What are your costs for water?
• What are your costs for water?
• With regard to water, we have a water reuse facility that takes rainwater off the operation and maintenance
• we have a water reuse and uh reuse water we have a water reuse and uh reuse facility<00:14:49.880><c
• We're talking about water here. We're talking about bridges.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• TM DLS STAIN BAY AND AT TRADITIONAL CATEGORIES AND THE SENATE FUNDS THESE PROGRAMS AS PART OF THE WATER
• LINE 151 IT REFERS TO THE DRINKING WATER WASTEWATER REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAMS, HOUSE AND SENATE BY THE
• LINE 177 THE HOUSE FUNDS THE WATER QUALITY GRANT PROGRAM AND LOCAL WATER PROJECTS AT 193.2 AND SENATE

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll see an poison our water and air.
• You don't need to add water. And it saves the lives of children.
• You don't need to add water. And it saves the lives of children.
• You don't need to add water. And world. You don't need to add water.
• The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the country.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I could never do this job without you helping to take out the garbage, watering the plants, going to
• I could never do this job without you helping to take out the garbage, watering the plants, going to
• And last, y'all know it, drink water. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.
• :31.680><c> know</c><00:15:31.920><c> it,</c> y'all know it, y'all know it, drink<00:15:33.800><c> water
• </c> drink water. drink water.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We do<00:05:18.560><c> determine</c><00:05:19.199><c> water,</c><00:05:19.919><c> you</c><00:05:20.080
• ><c> know,</c> do determine water, you know, do determine water, you know, underground<00:05:21.039><
• c> water</c><00:05:21.520><c> resources.
• </c><00:05:22.960><c> Um</c><00:05:23.759><c> and</c><00:05:24.160><c> you</c> underground water resources
• Um and you underground water resources.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs heard HCR 58 HD1, which asks the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a geothermal energy working group to review the regulatory and policy landscape for geothermal development in Hawaii. Testimony was generally supportive: the PUC, Consumer Advocates Office, and State Energy Office all said they stood on written testimony in support. In response to questions, a State Energy Office representative explained that geothermal exploration and permitting involve multiple agencies and depend on the land involved, and estimated that drilling an initial slim-hole test well could cost around $2.5 million or more, with additional work needed afterward to characterize the resource. The representative also noted that drilling can provide useful information about groundwater, geology, and temperature profiles. The committee discussed the importance of including community members and relevant energy stakeholders in the working group. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend HCR 58 HD1 be passed unamended. The chair, vice chair, and Senator Richards voted yes, Senator Fevella was excused, and the recommendation was adopted. Later in the same meeting, the committee heard HCR 68, which urges the City and County of Honolulu to create a dedicated animal education and training complex in the Kalai Loa Parklands, and HCR 72, which urges county ethics commissions to adopt standards similar to those applied to state elected officials and officers. Pacific Pet Alliance testified in support of HCR 68, citing the lack of animal-friendly facilities on the Leeward side and the high cost of renting space for shows and related events. No one testified on HCR 72. The committee then voted to pass both resolutions unamended, with Senator Fevella excused, and both recommendations were adopted before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 16 by Harris relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under
• the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board referred to the Committee on Natural.
• to an exemption to fishing licenses required for certain residents engaging in fishing in public waters
• in the manner that damages the property by another overflow of water diverted or impounded.
• amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from the state sales and use taxes of the Texas Water

Transcript Highlights:

• Harris relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction
• of the Texas water development board referred the committee on natural resources.
• to an exemption to fishing licenses required for certain residents engaging in fishing in public waters
• Cunningham relating to the creation of a criminal offense of diverting or impounding the flow of surface water
• in the enter that damages the property by another overflow of water, diverted or impounded.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> municipality can operate um storm water municipality can operate um storm water utilities utilities
• </c> it with fees on the water bill. it with fees on the water bill.
• </c> adjudication of interstate water rights. adjudication of interstate water rights.
• </c> control funding moving from water control funding moving from water account<01:47:50.960><c> one
• </c> replacement. uh for monitoring water replacement. uh for monitoring water flow. flow. flow.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What impact do I have to be thinking about for habitat, recreation, water, etc.?
• What impact do I have to be thinking about for habitat, recreation, water, etc.?
• What impact do I have to be thinking about for habitat, recreation, water, etc.?
• What impact do I have to be thinking about for habitat, recreation, water, etc.?
• What impact do I have to be thinking about for habitat, recreation, water, etc.?

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• well water board.
• We heard from both DES and the well water board chair that, um, they don't currently regulate water treatment
• well water board.
• We heard from both DES and the well water board chair that, um, they don't currently regulate water treatment
• </c><00:06:25.840><c> well</c> it's u this would take the water well it's u this would take the water

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> land and water land and water and<00:09:30.240><c> keeping</c><00:09:30.560><c> an</c><00:09:30.880
• Currently, the PolyMet water pollution permit, wetlands destruction permit, and permit to mine are all
• </c> conduct currently the polyat water conduct currently the polyat water pollution<00:25:21.520><c>
• land that we're keeping Minnesota water land that we're keeping Minnesota clean<00:51:18.160><c> and
• </c><01:03:16.400><c> and</c> protect Minnesota's air water and protect Minnesota's air water and land

Bills: HF8 , HF1416

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: wetlands, environmental review, permitting efficiency, Pollution Control Agency, construction permits, environmental impact statements, local government, business regulation, environmental assessments, HF1416, relocation grants, economic development, business relocation, site selection, business incentives, grant extension, appropriation extension, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, request for proposals

Transcript Highlights:

• building of housing developments outside of designated provider service areas that have an assured water
• And not further depleting our groundwater without having a care to how our water is going to be managed
• this because we cannot afford to keep approving development, you know, that does risk our long-term water
• We have to look at water sustainability, our water supply, in a very different way.
• We have to look at water sustainability, our water supply, in a very different way, and this just isn't

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recorded roll call showing 28 present, 0 absent, and 2 excused. The chamber approved the journal and then took up several motions to reconsider or return bills, including requests to return HB 2035 and HB 2249 to the House and to reconsider HB 2192. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole for calendar items. In Committee of the Whole, members considered HB 2248, a public health mandates bill; HB 2313, concerning school employee/teacher strike and remote instruction issues; HB 2379, relating to school district governing board training; HB 2380, relating to school district board meetings and expenditures; and HB 2720, relating to prostitution assessments and the anti-human trafficking fund. HB 2248 drew the most debate over whether it would prohibit schools, employers, and medical facilities from requiring medical interventions such as vaccines; an amendment narrowing the definition of medical intervention was adopted, and the bill advanced. HB 2379 and HB 2380 both received committee and floor amendments focused on school board training and livestreaming/meeting transparency requirements, and HB 2313 and HB 2720 also advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported all four bills as do pass, with HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 as amended. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report after defeating an amendment that would have changed the HB 2248 recommendation to fail. The chamber next considered HCM 2001 and HCM 2002, memorials urging federal terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR, and HCR 2047, recognizing Judea and Samaria; all three passed despite strong opposition speeches criticizing them as targeting Muslim communities or advancing religious/political messaging. The Senate also passed HB 2118 on mobile food vendors, HCM 2009 on mineral access and federal land withdrawals, HCR 2015 on school physical activity and dietary guidelines, HCR 2020 on housing outside designated provider service areas with assured water supply, and HCR 2057 supporting next-generation geothermal energy. Finally, the Senate passed HB 2248, HB 2379, and HB 2380 on third reading, approved the House’s request to adjourn, and adjourned until April 21, 2026.