Video & Transcript Research : 'Texas Water Code'
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ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- But one thing I would say is just the management of water to get water, but also to get rid of water,
- Another indirect water use is the sanitary water use, including restrooms, Water use is the sanitary
- We're incorporating water sampling for water quality.
- the guidelines for how water boards use bonding is also laid out in Century Code.
- But we would be looking at Century Code 57-02-27.26, and that is where you find the inundated water section
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 2:30 P.M.
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:01:16.040>
sections being and just have the code sections being and just have the code - just the code language as of now. just the code language as of now.
- . code. code.
- Does it have anything to do with water resources?
- it have anything to do with water it have anything to do with water resources?
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 1596, which Senator Johnson explained as a companion to another crypto-kiosk bill. He said the measure was being used to open the code and remove new kiosk language temporarily while lawmakers work on a regulatory framework for crypto kiosks, which are being used in scams involving callers posing as law enforcement and directing victims to deposit cash into kiosks. Members discussed the lack of reporting and registration data, the estimated number of kiosks in the state, and whether regulation might require identification and registration of the devices. The committee adopted the motion for title sufficient, do pass as amended, and reported the bill out.
The committee then considered House Bill 859, which would eliminate the in-person absentee voting envelope while keeping the 45-day in-person absentee voting period and existing excuse requirements. Senator England said voters would still complete an affidavit and cast the ballot directly into an OMR machine, and he noted that circuit clerks preferred this version. The committee asked a few clarifying questions and then passed the bill, reporting it out.
Next was House Bill 925, the CLEAR Act, which Senator McMahan described as a revised PEER-related bill that had been worked on with the governor’s office after a prior veto. He outlined provisions creating a PEER review program for agency rules, Medicaid transportation evaluations, a State Board of Health Professions, changes to the corporation work initiative program, and PEER subpoena and enforcement language. An amendment was adopted to delete the subpoena-related sections that had raised constitutional concerns and to retain the reverse repealer. After questions about the advisory role of the new board, the committee passed the bill as amended.
The committee also heard House Bill 1171, a strike-all that Senator Sparks said would mirror a Senate bill on grant transparency. The measure would require clearer grant objectives, objective eligibility criteria, disclosure of conflicts and board relationships, reporting by grantees and subgrantees, and signed documentation under penalty of perjury with CPA review. Members asked about enforcement, and Senator Sparks said improper reporting could lead to loss of funds, audits, and possible criminal consequences. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported the bill out. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1393, which would create an energy development fund at the Mississippi Development Authority for long-term infrastructure planning tied to large industrial energy users. Members asked whether the fund would cover water resources as well as electricity; the sponsor said it was intended for energy infrastructure, not water, and was aimed at large industrial projects such as steel mills. The committee adopted the strike-all and moved to report the bill out.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES Jan 8th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
Transcript Highlights:
- Update on the delinquent water and sewer private water and sewer reports for the year ended December
- She said per the code, so it would be the code would be every month starting. Starting in February.
- That's my understanding of how the, once you worded it per the code, and that would be how the code would
- Arkansas Code... Izard County, 2024, under the treasurer.
- Those two water departments. You said file? I said file? Okay, I made a mistake.
Summary:
The committee first approved a motion by voice vote, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For the 2012 reports, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total to 17 with escrow funds released and 26 still escrowed. For the 2023 delinquent reports, two more had come in, leaving five outstanding; both reports were filed without objection.
The committee then focused on Act 709 repayment issues for the town of Daisy. Audit staff said Daisy had made unauthorized payments to a nonprofit and had used restricted street funds for fire-related expenses, and that the town had not yet adopted the required repayment ordinance. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the town had funds to pay. After discussion about the audit calculations and statutory repayment requirements, the committee adopted a motion requiring 10% repayment of the street fund under the statute and providing that failure to comply would result in withholding turnback funds. The Daisy report was then filed.
The committee reviewed numerous additional audit findings from cities, counties, and water departments. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including reconciliation work in Harrison and Carroll County, revenue-code corrections in Izard County, monthly bond-pending reviews in Alexander, fixed-asset documentation and receipt procedures in the town of 56, and bookkeeping/receipt improvements in Ozan and Lee County. Some matters were deferred, including several private water and sewer reports and Green Forest, while others were filed. Reports involving more serious issues were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, and others. The committee also filed 19 reports with resolved findings and 53 reports with no findings, and adjourned with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Advancements have been made at the local level in Boston and at the state level in our building code
- report The element of the Walsh Kennedy Commission report that other states have adopted, such as Texas
Summary:
The Senate first took up final passage of two bills: one directing the Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Jason Villian, and another authorizing DCAMM to convey certain parcels of land in Brockton. Both bills passed to be enacted and were sent to the Governor. The chamber also adopted a resolution celebrating the commissioning of the U.S.S. Massachusetts.
The Senate then considered several committee reports and procedural orders. Ways and Means reported a new draft for Senate Bill 2801, fostering agricultural resilience in Massachusetts, and the Senate ordered the bill to a second reading with amendment deadlines and later-stage procedures set. The Rules Committee also recommended suspending the joint rule for a petition on animal telehealth, which the Senate approved, along with additional Joint Rule 12 suspensions to refer House petitions to the appropriate committees.
Later, the Senate took up Senate Bill 1646 on violations of regulations regarding hot work processes. After suspending the rules to proceed forthwith, the Senate rejected an amendment to establish a Board of Hoisting Machinery Regulations, adopted the Ways and Means amendment, and ordered the bill to a third reading. Following remarks from Senator Collins about the Walsh-Kennedy Commission and fire safety reforms, the bill passed to be engrossed. The Senate also adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Dan McColl, a South Boston artist and newspaper man, and then adjourned to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We're incorporating water sampling for water quality.
- And that Century Code guides how water resource districts manage those drains and protect that infrastructure
- the guidelines for how water boards use bonding is also laid out in Century Code.
- But we would be looking at Century Code 57-02-27.26, and that is where you find the inundated water section
- But we would be looking at Century Code 57-02-27.26, and that is where you find the inundated water section
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state.
The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases.
Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers.
The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:34:01.440>
it's The middle of a deep-water harbor. - The first step of this walk for peace took place four months ago in Fort Worth, Texas.
- The first step of this walk for peace took place four months ago in Fort Worth, Texas.
- <01:34:35.199>
And months ago in Fort Worth, Texas. And months ago in Fort Worth, Texas. - <01:40:02.560>
Department <01:40:02.880>of include DC Water, Maryland Department of
Summary:
The House convened with 124 members present, opened with prayer, and approved the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted a congratulatory House resolution honoring the Kent Island High School boys lacrosse team for winning the 2025 Maryland Class 2A state championship. The House also journalized Baltimore City 2026 bond/loan authorization resolutions and moved a series of introductory House bills and bond initiatives through first reading and committee referral without objection.
On the special order calendar, House Bill 28, concerning higher education/private career schools advertising, received a favorable report and was ordered printed for third reading. House Bill 226, creating a Department of Disabilities housing programs and affiliated foundations structure, was also reported favorably as amended. Two floor amendments were adopted to that bill: one clarifying that any affiliated foundation may only raise funds or provide support and may not run programs or set policy, and another restoring conflict-of-interest and ethics protections, including limits on family members and public ethics application requirements. A later amendment to HB 226 was rejected by a recorded vote of 95 in the negative, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading.
The most extended debate centered on House Bill 229, which increases the Maryland Transportation Authority’s revenue bond limit from $4 billion to $5 billion to help finance the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild. One amendment sought to prohibit toll increases without General Assembly approval; its sponsor argued the added borrowing would likely lead to future toll hikes and that elected representatives should vote on them. The floor leader opposed the amendment, saying it would weaken MDTA’s independent rate-setting authority, harm its bond rating, and increase financing costs, while noting the bill is intended to cover bridge reconstruction costs and federal reimbursement timing. After debate, the amendment failed on a recorded vote, and HB 229 was ordered printed for third reading.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAM/FIN Joint Info Briefing - Fri Feb 14, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- had a wife and three children in Texas had a wife and three children in Texas one<01:24:41.280><
- Eo Water Polo Club is present. Hello, please proceed.
- Hawaiʻi's youth through water polo.
- <04:39:05.639>
wom some of the best watermen and water wom some of the best watermen and water - Eo Water Polo Club is not present.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Natural Resources and Water
Transcript Highlights:
- of Palmdale Water District, San Bernardino County Supervisor Don Rowe, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
- , and 29 Palms Water District.
- to Palmdale Water District, San Bernardino County Supervisor Don Roe, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
- , and 29 Palms Water District, all in support. ...Supervisor Don Roe, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency,
- Hello, Jamie Goh, on behalf of Irvine Ranch Water District, San Diego Water Authority, East Valley Water
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jul 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And the other on water and energy resiliency.
- We see a lot of needles flowing down the river, and it's affecting our water source.
- Individuals would have to travel to Denver or Texas for health care, which is not feasible.
- Can we build a lot, but do we have the water and the proper infrastructure to support it?
- Thanks to the members for a great conversation, and somebody bring Vice President Ritchie some water
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs Apr 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's always an option because in any case, whenever a person is owed, for whatever reasons with the water
- House Bill 893 by Representative Knox provides relative to the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.
- What this bill simply does, again, it aligns it with other sewerage and water board entities across the
- And that's not currently the case for the Sewerage and Water Board, but that is the case for everyone
- So sorry, I just got in from Texas, but I do live in New Orleans.
Summary:
The House Municipal Committee met at 12:09 p.m. with a quorum present and heard several local government bills. HB 990 by Rep. Lyons, supported by Jefferson Parish, would extend lien/privilege authority for unpaid sewerage and water service charges to Jefferson Parish, including issues involving multifamily properties with master meters. After questions about tenant impacts and administrative burden, the committee reported the bill favorably with no objection.
HB 1087 by Rep. Adams, authorizing the City of Zachary to use certain inmates to cut grass in a private cemetery, drew significant concern from members about using unpaid prison labor on private property, the lack of clear ownership/contact with the cemetery board, and whether the property should instead be acquired or otherwise addressed. After discussion, the author withdrew the motion and the committee voluntarily deferred the bill to a later meeting. HB 893 by Rep. Knox, concerning the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, and HB 1007, creating the Foeberg Nouveau-Marine Improvement District in New Orleans Parish, were both reported favorably without objection.
HB 1153 by Rep. Coates would allow parishes and municipalities to declare and enforce burn bans. The committee adopted amendments clarifying publication, lifting bans when risk subsides, and adjusting penalties, and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 1215 by Rep. Baham, dealing with the disposition of removed historical statues and monuments through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office of State Parks, was amended to require coordination rather than imposing costs solely on local governments, but members raised concerns about fiscal impact, local zoning authority, and the need for the lieutenant governor’s staff; the bill was voluntarily deferred for two weeks. HB 362 by Rep. Newell creating the Regency Park Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District was reported favorably, while HB 484 on the New Orleans Regional Business Park was deferred after confusion over a proposed amendment and board appointment changes. Several other bills and resolutions were also deferred, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next agenda would include the deferred items.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Aug 20th, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- They say everything is bigger in Texas, but not tourism.
- California's tourism is 70% bigger than Texas. I'm picturing a slide.
- It should be animated and come up and cover all of Texas.
- Distinctions between—you showed the numbers about our level of activity compared to Florida, Texas, and
- It impacts the military; we have Navy SEALs that are training in the waters off of Coronado.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- people will need to increase agriculture production by 70% by the year 2050, with less land, less water
- Matter of fact, we have a senator working with the lieutenant governor of the state of Texas right now
- And she mentions Texas as an example.
- And she mentions Texas as an example.
- The problem is, Texas hasn't banned it yet, at this moment in time that I'm aware of.
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders.
The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection.
Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- The most common iteration of the fact sheet that you'll have access to has a QR code on it.
- So you'll get the nuts and bolts about the credit, and then the QR code will give you links directly
- And then the QR code will give you links directly to more information about the credit, as well as a
- , whether it's the regs, the landing page for DETC or the business relations landing page, that QR code
- In the competency licensure space, I think—California, Texas, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey, I think
Summary:
The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring certified employees with disabilities. He described a streamlined self-attestation certification process, the online application and outreach tools, and noted that the first full tax season resulted in one company successfully claiming the credit. Members asked about how employers learn to file, available data, carry-forward rules, and whether more information from the Department of Revenue could be shared.
The second presentation was from the Office of the Veteran Advocate. The speaker described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home tragedy to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He reviewed VA disability ratings, the fact that service-connected disability does not necessarily prevent work, and the barriers faced by veterans with less-than-honorable discharges. He also highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill and housing supports, and the office’s work on professional licensure barriers, especially for nurses and other skilled trades. Members discussed whether Massachusetts is behind other states on licensure reciprocity and the need for more openness from licensing boards; the office said it is starting with a narrow nursing-focused review and will report back on findings.
In the final portion of the meeting, members discussed a lengthy policy brief from Seed and agreed it should be taken up at the August 31 meeting rather than rushed through by email. The group focused on two emerging areas of work: the benefit cliff and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members suggested creating a clearer tool or spreadsheet to map existing resources and possibly a white paper for appointing authorities, while noting the commission’s limits on direct advocacy. The meeting ended with an invitation for members interested in the benefit cliff work or youth employment pipeline to join follow-up discussions, and the subcommittee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- And there is already an act of Florida code in Medicaid for this combined test.
- In all 12 hospital systems including Michael Beauchamp: Stanford and Texas Children's have reported no
- Chair: You are recognized on the amendment bar code 53930.
- Chair: We have a late filed amendment bar code 771398 by Senator Davis.
- A nurse's health should not depend upon zip code or employer.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Aug 13th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- same sort of information regarding some of our older, but slightly smaller funds, like tobacco and water
- And what about Texas? Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair.
- The last I looked, Texas had about fifty-four billion. It might be a little bit higher now.
- Texas, as an example, has two.
- Texas created a strategic Bitcoin reserve in October, signed just in June of 2025.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Local Government (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , I don't support that. ...with updating the Land Development code.
- The properties do not flow water to those sewers.
- How would you determine if some water doesn't flow to a certain storm sewer?
- Sanitation districts currently run studies in order to determine where the waters flow.
- would be provided anywhere near that property. that the water flows to their storm that the water flows
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:15
Roll Call 00:25
HB 403 Discussion 02:11
HB 403 Vote 03:08
HB 555 Discussion 04:55
HB 555 Vote 08:42
HB 321 Discussion 10:55
HB 321 Vote 13:22
HB 18 Discussion 15:21
HB 18 Vote 35:10
HB 85 Discussion 39:08
HB 85 Vote 46:40
HB 371 Discussion 49:22
HB 371 Vote 52:03
Adjournment 53:48, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up several bills, mostly focused on local planning, zoning, and municipal administration. House Bill 403, a simple measure giving coroners a six-month grace period to complete continuing education, was presented by Rep. Deanna Gordon with testimony from Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelson and received unanimous support. House Bill 555, a technical bill affecting audit deadlines and flexibility for small cities and certain expo center audit arrangements, was explained by JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities; he said it would help about 97 cities comply with audit requirements and allow more flexibility when municipalities are making good-faith efforts. The committee approved HB 555 on a roll call vote, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee and others in favor, and reported it favorably to the House floor.
House Bill 321, also presented with JD Cheney and Rep. DJ Johnson, would expand the time for planning commission and board of adjustment members to complete orientation and continuing education, with a focus on housing supply and accessibility. Supporters said it would help recruit more members and concentrate training on land-use impacts on housing; Rep. Roarx and others discussed Louisville Metro’s planning process, while Rep. Brown and Rep. Fleming raised concerns about infrastructure and long-range planning. The committee passed HB 321 favorably after roll call, with one no vote from Rep. Griffee.
House Bill 18 drew the most extended debate. Sponsor Rep. John Hodgson said the committee substitute would create incentives for infill development in urban areas and extend a moratorium on zoning district classification changes for two more years, arguing that local elected officials should have more control over major density changes and that unelected boards were approving projects without adequate infrastructure review. Opponents, including Liam Gallagher of Americans for Prosperity Kentucky and several members, argued the bill would restrict housing development, interfere with property rights, and limit Louisville Metro’s ability to update its Land Development Code; supporters countered that the bill would not stop development but would require elected officials to weigh in and address traffic and infrastructure concerns. After discussion, the committee approved HB 18 as amended by the substitute and reported it favorably to the House floor, with several members explaining their votes and some opposing the moratorium on local zoning changes.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 29th, 2026 at 11:09 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He's originally from Austin, Texas, and he hopes to be one day a civil rights attorney and actually to
- that not only are economic drivers, but they provide real-world solutions to things like access to water
- projects pursuant to the Water Project Finance Act, allowing the New Mexico Finance Authority to fund
- water projects from the Water Project Fund without receiving the approval of the Legislature until December
- Speaker, your Agriculture, Sequeas, and Water Resources Committee, to whom has been referred House Bill
Keywords:
nurses, health care workers, healthcare workers, frontline workers, hospital staff, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, public health, workforce shortage, nursing shortage, safe staffing, patient safety, rural health care, frontier communities, behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder, substance abuse, health care memorial
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Education Policy and Administration (03/10/2025)
Education Policy and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- It also eliminates from the criminal code an exemption for K-12 education, realizing that it would be
- It also eliminates from the criminal code an exemption for K-12 education, realizing that it would be
- It also eliminates from the criminal code an exemption for K-12 education, realizing that it would be
- It also eliminates from the criminal code an exemption for K-12 education, realizing that it would be
- , but book publishers might listen to Texas.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 749, which would require high schools to provide at least one hour of instruction on the nature and history of communism. The prime sponsor said the bill was prompted by concerns that students lack basic historical knowledge about communism and its effects, and argued that a short, flexible requirement could be embedded in an existing course without creating a new full class. He described communism as a totalitarian ideology and cited historical examples including the Soviet Union, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Cold War, and current events involving Russia, Ukraine, and Taiwan as reasons students should understand the topic.
Members asked whether the subject is already covered in current social studies standards, whether one hour is enough, and whether the bill would apply to public, private, parochial, and charter schools. The sponsor said he did not believe communism is specifically required in current standards, that he would prefer a full course but was proposing a minimal requirement, and that he intended the bill to apply broadly to schools under the Department of Education’s umbrella, though he acknowledged the wording may need clarification for charter schools. He also said the proposal was both reactive and proactive, based on anecdotal concerns and his teaching experience.
A second supporter testified that he was born in the Soviet Union and favored the bill, but suggested the instruction should emphasize critical thinking and explain both why communism can appeal to some people and why it can have harmful consequences. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So actually, did you add water to water and height?
- <00:21:34.240>
to <00:21:34.720>water <00:21:35.200>and did you you added water - to water and did you you added water to water and height?
- <00:30:30.080>
or zoning ordinances, building codes or zoning ordinances, building codes or - they could expand their water or sewer. they could expand their water or sewer. um<00:40:38.800>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee May 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- that while we are trying to solve for California's process, we're observing that even in states like Texas
- but you are correct that additional marine traffic would implicate air quality issues beyond state waters
- think, as mentioned in one of the slides, that's what you're beginning to see even in places like Texas
- And as a result, a large refinery in Texas closed. It's not just California.
- Refinery closures are happening in Texas, nationally and internationally.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held its annual oversight hearing on the transportation fuels sector, focused on California’s fuel transition, the announced refinery closures by Phillips 66 and Valero, and the potential effects on supply, prices, and the broader fuel system. Committee leadership said the state needs a system-wide transition plan rather than a piecemeal approach, and state witnesses from CARB, the CEC, and DPMO described the fuel market as a complex, interconnected ecosystem involving crude production, refining, storage, imports, and delivery. They emphasized that declining gasoline demand from EV adoption is occurring alongside shrinking in-state refining capacity, which could increase volatility and price spikes if not managed carefully.
CARB Chair Liane Randolph reviewed the state’s climate and air-quality programs, including AB 32, SB 32, the 2022 scoping plan, the low-carbon fuel standard, and vehicle emissions rules. She said these policies have reduced emissions substantially but that California still faces major ozone and PM2.5 problems, especially in disadvantaged communities. Randolph also said federal actions challenging California waivers could complicate the state’s clean-air efforts, and she noted that while liquid fuels will still be needed in some sectors, the state must continue reducing fossil fuel dependence while protecting public health.
CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda and DPMO Director Ty Milder presented data on gasoline demand, refinery throughput, crude imports, and price differentials. Gunda said the Legislature’s special-session laws gave the agencies transparency and planning tools, and that the CEC is developing a fuels transition plan while evaluating whether any regulatory tools should be used. Milder previewed DPMO findings that Californians have paid a long-running “mystery gasoline surcharge” averaging 41 cents per gallon since 2015, with higher margins concentrated in branded gasoline and among vertically integrated firms. He said the data show a concentrated market with some refiners doing well and others struggling, and that DPMO will continue investigating price behavior, competition, and supply risks.
Members pressed the witnesses on whether state regulations contributed to refinery exits or higher prices, and on whether the agencies had adequately analyzed consumer costs. Witnesses said they had not yet implemented the new permissive tools from SB X1-2 and AB X2-1 because they were still assessing risks and benefits, and they stressed that refinery closures and capital decisions are driven by broader market conditions as well as regulation. No vote was taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee seeking updates and urging the agencies to develop a practical transition strategy that balances affordability, reliability, climate goals, and worker/community protections.