Transcript Highlights:

• But the Bakken isn't done at the core of any of those basins.
• The orange is gas basins, and the blue is your oil basins.
• I struggle with 40 because I believe 40 is a price at which even the Permian Basin starts to shut down
• I struggle with 40 because I believe 40 is a price at which even the Permian Basin starts to shut down
• And again, all basins are innovating toward longer laterals, and that's essentially the reason for that

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been nominated for an appointment to the Brazos River Authority.
• The Brazos River Authority, before it was in its current organization today, The Brazos River Reclamation
• For two years, he was a member of a survey crew surveying the river basin, a precursor to our management
• Even though you're the largest river authority geographically...
• As you well know... ...and such a beautiful book, "Goodbye to a River."

Committee: Senate Nominations

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Diving a little deeper into data, we started off with the Indian River Lagoon. Why did we do that?
• I'm proud to say in less than six months, we quadrupled the number of people enrolled in Indian River
• President All Britain has championed a project with Florida Gulf Coast University in the Peace River
• I know you talked about Indian River, but I believe it's—Mr. Gregory, you're right.
• And Indian River Lagoon is one area where we have a lot of data, a lot of historic data.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Summary: The committee meeting began with quorum, member introductions, and an overview of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government budget process. The chair emphasized using the committee resource book and performance metrics to review the base budget and invited members to identify areas of interest for later discussion. Members were also reminded about appearance forms and speaking procedures. Wes Gregory of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on agricultural best management practices and water policy. He said the office had updated all nine commodity BMP manuals and added a manual for small farms and livestock, expanded enrollment by 742 producers covering 677,000 acres, and used GIS and data analysis to target areas such as the Indian River Lagoon. He also described cost-share projects, a new field application for enrollment and inspections, cross-training staff, and a request for $20 million for regional water quality projects. Members asked about BMP enrollment, compliance, and enforcement; Gregory said noncompliance is uncommon and cases can be referred to DEP. Adam Blaylock of DEP reviewed environmental grant programs, saying the state has appropriated $2.9 billion since 2018 for water quality projects, with about 1,100 projects reducing nitrogen and phosphorus statewide. He described the Water Quality Improvement Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay, Springs, Alternative Water Supply, and Resilient Florida programs, including a planned public dashboard and a water-quality monitoring portal. Senators asked about the application window, award timing, and the high cost of septic-to-sewer conversions, with Blaylock estimating a blended average of about $35,000 per home. Chief Conservation Officer George Worthing of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then presented on invasive animal control. He discussed prevention, risk screening, law enforcement at ports, public outreach programs such as the Python Challenge, Lionfish Challenge, and Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and early detection tools like the Ive Got One reporting system. He also described control efforts for Burmese pythons, tegus, and lionfish, along with research and partner coordination. Members asked about the most harmful invasive species and whether iguanas may be taken; Worthing said iguanas are open for take, subject to other laws. The meeting ended after members briefly identified priorities such as water quality, recreation water quality, sustainability, sea level rise, and septic-to-sewer infrastructure, and the committee adjourned without any formal votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas is not paying for this water, and we are getting no credit on the river compacts.
• We have real water security issues here, but dumping toxic sludge onto our fields and into the rivers
• water every year, but none in the northern county since 98% of the produced water is in the Permian Basin
• And as the gentleman just pointed out, the produced water is in the Permian Basin.
• In the last year, an estimated 3.25 million barrels of water daily were recycled in the Permian Basin

Bills: HM45 , HB276 , HB300

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy

Summary: The committee first heard House Memorial 45, which asked the Water Quality Control Commission to promptly hear a petition seeking consideration of the beneficial reuse of treated produced water. The sponsor and supporters argued that produced water could help conserve freshwater, support agriculture and rural communities, and potentially aid compact obligations with Texas and industrial users. The committee also heard extensive opposition from acequia leaders, environmental groups, and residents who said the science is not yet sufficient, the water contains unknown or proprietary contaminants, and the memorial could pressure regulators or shift pollution burdens to other communities. After questions focused on the meaning of a memorial, the status of the petition, and the role of the Produced Water Research Consortium, a motion to table HM 45 passed, with members explaining they wanted the petition in hand before acting. The committee then took up House Bill 276, which appropriates $3.3 million to NMSU for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to support celebration of the 400-year anniversary of winemaking in New Mexico. Supporters described the bill as a statewide agritourism and economic development effort tied to New Mexico’s long wine history, with marketing, signage, and tourism promotion intended to benefit wineries across the state. Members asked about the funding source, the anniversary date, and whether the effort would include wineries outside the south; the sponsor said the campaign would highlight wineries statewide. The committee voted do pass on HB 276. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 300, which would appropriate funds for the care and management of free-roaming horses and related domestic horse management, with an emphasis on tribal and local herd-control efforts using fertility control and trained community members. Supporters said the program would help address overpopulation, grazing impacts, and roadway safety, while opponents questioned relocation plans and whether the money should be spread across more counties. The sponsor and expert witness said trained personnel were already in place and the funds would support implementation. After discussion, the committee voted do pass on HB 300. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again Saturday to hear House Bill 207.

Transcript Highlights:

• miles of rivers and streams across the Commonwealth.
• I'm the executive director of the Charles River Conservancy.
• The Charles River Conservancy is a 25-year-old nonprofit focused on the lower basin of the Charles.
• The Charles River Conservancy is a 25-year-old nonprofit focused on the lower basin of the Charles.
• This is about the playgrounds that you see along the Charles River.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition No. 25-15, H.5505, “An Act to Protect Water and Nature.” Committee co-chairs outlined the Article 48 initiative process and explained that the hearing was divided into expert, proponent, opponent, and public-comment sections. The first witness, Undersecretary Stephanie Cooper of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, described current state and federal funding sources for land conservation and outdoor recreation, said existing programs are oversubscribed, and noted that the proposal aligns with the Commonwealth’s 30% land conservation goal by 2030 and 40% by 2050. She also flagged possible governance clarifications in the petition, including board structure and administrative authority, while saying the administration has the expertise to manage such a fund. Proponents from Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, Mount Grace Land Trust, the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, the Authentic Caribbean Foundation, and Bemis Associates argued that Massachusetts needs a dedicated, sustained revenue stream for conservation, clean water, climate resilience, and public access to nature. They said current funding is inconsistent and insufficient, cited estimates that the state may need roughly $300 million or more annually to meet conservation targets, and emphasized benefits to public health, mental health, biodiversity, flood protection, and the outdoor recreation economy. Several speakers said the measure would dedicate a portion of existing sales tax revenue tied to sporting goods, recreational vehicles, and golf courses, and that it would support both urban and rural communities, including underserved communities. Committee members pressed witnesses on the bill’s fiscal and constitutional implications, including how much sales tax revenue would be redirected, whether the measure is constitutional, how funds would be allocated among communities, and why the proposal includes certain revenue sources but not others such as ticket sales. Proponents said the measure would likely direct up to about $100 million annually when fully phased in, that it was designed as a “subject to appropriation” mechanism, and that legal review had found it constitutional. They also acknowledged that the proposal would reduce general fund flexibility but argued it would create a long-term investment in natural resources. The hearing concluded after public testimony, and the committee announced it would accept written testimony until March 27 at 5 p.m.; no vote was taken on the petition at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• significant bill that has to do with capital cost recovery, essentially rates for the TDUs and Permian Basin
• process works with existing provisions of the Utilities Code and that electric utilities, including a river
• significant bill that has to do with capital cost recovery, essentially rates for the TDUs and Permian Basin
• process works with existing provisions of the Utilities Code and that electric utilities, including a river
• significant bill that has to do with capital cost recovery essentially rates for the TDUs and Permian Basin

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Snake River is actually a two-river system.
• Valley and the ongoing development of recharge sites on the Henry's Fork River, the Teton River, and
• This also commends the Upper Snake River Basin study.
• Joe River, which is quite a distance.
• Joe River, which is quite a distance.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• attend that for their interest and consideration of the very important issues we have on the Colorado River
• I think there's a really good reason to highlight that not just for our state, but for our fellow basin
• of California desalination and binational conveyance, irrigation modernization in lower and upper basin
• Colorado River supplies are uncertain and will likely decrease.
• You know, we always talk about the Colorado River, but I'd like to really focus on rural Arizona.

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee convened for introductions of members, staff, interns, and pages, with members briefly noting their districts and roles. The committee’s only agenda item was a presentation from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) by Director Chelsea McGuire, who outlined WIFA’s mission and recent work financing water infrastructure across Arizona. McGuire described three major funding programs: the rural water supply development revolving fund, the water conservation grant fund, and the long-term water augmentation fund. She said WIFA has financed nearly $3 billion in water infrastructure over 30 years, awarded about $87.3 million through the rural fund, and allocated $211 million in conservation grants expected to save 6.6 million acre-feet of water. She also said WIFA is out of conservation money and requested continued state support, while noting the revolving funds remain stable even if federal funding declines. A large portion of the discussion focused on the long-term augmentation fund and its competitive solicitation process. McGuire said WIFA identified a projected 100,000 to 500,000 acre-foot supply gap in 10 to 15 years and selected seven projects for further due diligence after receiving 17 responses, including desalination, reuse, groundwater storage, and exchange-based projects involving private partners. Senators asked about public transparency, project timelines, costs, and the need for state funding; McGuire said public engagement will continue, the projects are intended to match the identified time frame, and state funding is needed both to pay for due diligence and to reduce project risk and cost. No votes or formal actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Milner Dam signifies what is known as a two-river system.
• The Snake River is actually a two-river system.
• Valley and the ongoing development of recharge sites on the Henry's Fork River, the Teton River, and
• This also commends the Upper Snake River Basin study.
• Joe River, which is quite a distance.

Summary: The Resource and Conservation Committee approved the minutes from its February 23 and February 25, 2026 meetings. It then heard and advanced three Senate concurrent resolutions focused on water issues: SCR 116, which highlighted Northern Idaho water needs and projects; SCR 118, which recognized water resource, flood control, and aquifer recharge projects in District 3; and SCR 117, which supported managed aquifer recharge, storage, and infrastructure modernization in the Upper Snake River/Water District 4 area. Each resolution received a due pass recommendation and was sent to the floor. The committee also considered three code-cleanup bills introduced by Rep. Dustin Manwaring. House Bill 566 repeals outdated references to the State Trust Fund of Outdoor Recreation Enhancement (STORE) and related park recreation code provisions. House Bill 568 repeals obsolete Department of Lands provisions concerning floating timber and townsite claims, described as historical artifacts no longer used in modern practice. House Bill 774 repeals a duplicative section setting minimum fines for illegal hunting of mountain lion, buffalo, and caribou because those penalties already appear elsewhere in code. Members asked few questions, and each bill was moved by committee members and approved without opposition. All three bills received due pass recommendations and were sent to the floor. The meeting concluded after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have water that is stable that is not drawing from the rivers.
• close to the river that are drawing the well, the water out of the rivers.
• , a lot of basins around Mesa Valley, up and down the Rio Grande Hornado, but there's basins everywhere
• NMSU conservatively estimates the Santa Teresa, the one in the Mesa Basin.
• A $3 billion pipeline for river water out of the San Juan, uh.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because these quarries are right along the side of the river.
• Vegetation on the banks of the river, and on my way to fully address that question...
• I would assume so, being within 1,500 feet of the river. I don't know.
• This is within the river than 1,500 feet. And so if you look at some.
• The only thing that flooded was what was directly on the river.

Bills: HB 1089 , HB 1163 , HB 1177 , HB 1238 , HB1318 , HB1400 , HB1407 , HB1532 , HJR7 , HJR7

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: coastal protection, environmental management, Gulf Coast, storm risk management, funding, Texas General Land Office, healthcare, insurance reform, patient access, insurance regulation, affordable care, health insurance, consumer rights, coverage transparency, claims process, insurance regulations, aggregate production, environmental impact, financial responsibility, reclamation

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Chair and members of the committee, Mike Miller with Permian Basin Petroleum Association
• state to venture for oil and gas, and I make the analogy that oil and that oil and gas in the Permian Basin
• oil and gas is what the San Juan River is to trout fishermen and fisherwomen.
• There's a reason why people come from around the world to come fish in the San Juan River.
• There's a reason why people come from around the world to want to dip their straw in the Permian Basin

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• They're moving into other basins. And the bottom is your four-mile lateral.
• I think at the Williston Basin Conference they reported over 97% of authorizations to survey, so while
• Of course, this is the slide that was really the focus of our Williston Basin conference.
• deadline, and we hope to attract more players as a result of all of the discussion at the Williston Basin
• Correctional Center design is in process, and so, for the upcoming session is that the Missouri River

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip: Members, House Bill 2279 exempts a commercial river outfitter from liability for an injury
• to or the death of a participant resulting from an inherent risk of a river trip in Grand National Park
• This is very similar to what we did a couple years ago with the Harquahala water basin.
• Each water transportation basin...
• But there are four transportation basins that were set up back in the '90s, and this is one of those.

Summary: The meeting covered a very large number of bills across multiple committees, with most items presented on consent calendars and several sponsors explaining their measures. Education bills focused on moving statewide testing later in the school year, allowing paper testing by local choice, increasing transparency around district administrator pay, expanding religious excusal policies, creating a school fitness recognition program, and sending a resolution to voters to require sex-based designation of school sports teams and private spaces. Federalism and Government items included bans on foreign contributions to ballot-measure committees, a proposed ballot measure to eliminate voting centers and return to precinct-based voting, memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and the IMF, penalties for late agency financial reporting, restrictions on state contracts with China, and a bill limiting use of ADS-B aviation data for fee collection. Commerce bills addressed digital goods disclosure, child influencer trust accounts, liability for river outfitters, marketplace contractor termination rights, utility submetering charges, unemployment eligibility checks, and association-based health plans. Health and human services measures included lactation consultant certification and Medicaid breastfeeding support, a ban on gender transition procedures for minors, a requirement that chief medical officers hold active licenses, technical ambulance definitions, a SNAP waiver request to restrict non-eligible food purchases, hospital collection of patient immigration status, and enrollment verification for AHCCCS-related hospital presumptive eligibility. Judiciary bills included consent-verification requirements for online sexual material, a civil cause of action for DEI policy violations, hate-crime-style enhancements that also cover political affiliation, name-change disclosure rules for sex offenders, penalties for possession of falsified commercial driver’s licenses by unlawfully present persons, penalties for mailing abortion-inducing drugs, speed-inhibiting devices as an alternative to license suspension, longer transition services for inmates, stronger penalties for sexual extortion of minors, and legislative oversight of state shooting range closures. Natural resources and water bills dealt with brackish groundwater recovery and desalination studies, water augmentation authority financing, HOA drought-year watering restrictions, water-rate parity for customers outside city limits, and groundwater transportation from the McMullen Valley basin. Other topics included a ban on PFAS firefighting foam, restrictions on vaccine and mask mandates by governments and businesses, protections against employment or service discrimination based on medical interventions, elimination of long-vacant state positions, consumer protections against device disabling after owner modifications, and restrictions on Chinese-made critical infrastructure. The committee also heard a Space Commission update bill and a continuation of the Arizona Beef Council. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for amendments or legal concerns, including the testing-window bill, student directory information bill, river outfitter liability bill, ambulance bill, and others. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but many bills were advanced on third-read or consent calendars, while a few were set aside for amendments or further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prolonged interruption of a region's imported water supply can threaten the stability of the basin and
• Imported water replenishment is not optional; it is a foundational component of basin management.
• Linda Noriega with California Domestic Water Company and San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority in
• It plays an essential role in protecting our water resources, helping to recharge our groundwater basins
• It plays an essential role in protecting our water resources, helping to recharge our groundwater basins

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The river, Rio Grande, uh, from Mon Montano all the way to Central is part of my district.
• I'd like to look at ozone too, especially in the Peruvian Basin and the pollution, the pollution in,
• And would that also go for um Tularosa Basin residents that they would need to be um aware?
• So you look at slide 9. this is the San Mateo Creek Basin.
• Um, they're all kind of in the San Mateo Basin for, uh, for reference.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• First, the bill requires our members to file a wildfire mitigation plan while MOUs and river authorities
• And there's lots of transmission and distribution lines that are owned by MOUs and river authorities.
• don't... we're not sure, but we would appreciate being switched to do the more permissive with the river
• The focus on the Permian Basin allows us to build that out. We've got to get it done quicker.
• For this bill to only apply to within the Permian Basin, the ERCOT region, the provider. Thank you.

Bills: HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Transcript Highlights:

• But you know, especially in the Colorado River Basin, I think we need every tool at our disposal.
• But you know, especially in the Colorado<00:50:32.559><c> River</c><00:50:32.800><c> Basin,</c><00:50
• Basin, I think we need Colorado River Basin, I think we need every<00:50:33.920><c> tool</c><00:50:34.400
• </c> we uh contribute to uh as other basin we uh contribute to uh as other basin states<00:50:42.160>
• </c> we're treated within the Colorado basin we're treated within the Colorado basin states<00:51:34.559

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Haas, you know, it's clear that the bulk of our water is traceable to the Missouri River.
• In particular, are we moving water out of the Missouri River Basin across the continental divide?
• In North Dakota, we have two basins.
• We have the Missouri River as well as the Red, which flows north.
• A basin, I plan a family trip around 11.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• it also goes through a validation process and what we've been seeing has happened in some of the basins
• the average sustainable yield is established in a validated groundwater sustainability plan. in the basin
• I attend Feather River Charter School, and I Oppose of AB 84.
• Thank you My name is my name is Levi Allen and I attend the Feather River Charter School and I oppose
• Hello my name is River McQueen and I'm from Sacramento and I oppose AB 84. Thank you. Good morning.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all