Transcript Highlights:

• finally, land use decisions related to certain unique communities, state and federal requirements, and water
• decisions, while cities and counties will be able to implement their decisions related to drinking water
• finally land use decisions related to certain unique communities state and federal requirements and water
• decisions while cities and counties will be able to implement their decisions related to drinking water
• , While cities and counties will be able to implement their decisions related to drinking water, wastewater

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part; supporters said it would expand provider options amid a shortage of certified programs, while opponents raised concerns about government speech and mixing religion with court-ordered programming. After debate, the bill was reported favorably 7-2. The committee also considered CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction preventing licensed insurance agents from marketing or selling health care sharing ministries; supporters framed it as restoring choice and free speech, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, commissions, and lack of insurance protections. It was reported favorably 8-2. The committee next approved CS/SB 502, via a strike-all amendment, to give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in state juvenile court rather than federal court; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously. CS/SB 52 also passed unanimously after testimony from church leaders and security personnel supporting an exemption from Class D/G licensing for unpaid armed security volunteers at places of worship. Supporters said the bill would clarify legal gray areas and help churches afford security, while members noted the broader concern that houses of worship need armed protection at all. Finally, the committee reported favorably SB 840, which revises last year’s emergency/local planning law by narrowing its application after storms from 100 miles to 50 miles of the storm track and exempting certain water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; local government representatives supported the clarification, and the bill passed 9-0. CS/SB 758, as amended, updated the membership of the Justice Administration Commission to better reflect the entities it oversees, and it also passed 9-0. The meeting ended with a recorded affirmative vote from Senator DeSigley on SB 624.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee was updated on the status of the December 31st, 2022 delinquent private water and sewer
• The committee was also updated on the status of the December 31st, 2023 delinquent private water and
• The committee was also updated on the status of the December 31st, 2023 delinquent private water and
• and they are still employed in this school district, or not the school district, in this Goose Camp Water
• these reports that were reported on go into 2022, 2023, and so the reports may be, as we know from our water

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard several audit-related reports. The executive committee report noted audit and special reports were scheduled for standing committees and the full Legislative Joint Audit Committee, with one requested report still in progress. The City, County, and Local report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, reinstatement of turnback funds for entities that filed required reports, and action involving the town of Daisy, which was directed to repay misused street funds at 10% of general fund revenue annually. The education and state agencies reports included higher education audits and state agency findings, with some reports filed and others deferred to the February meeting for additional information or corrective-action details. The committee then took up a special audit of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UA Little Rock. Legislative Audit reported that the program, funded with $10 million in desegregation money plus a $50,000 grant, awarded $1.87 million in scholarships to 379 students, with 116 graduates, but found numerous eligibility and disbursement problems, including scholarships to ineligible students, excessive awards, improper documentation, and unclear disposition of some assets. Committee members questioned UALR representatives about oversight, staffing, and whether funds were properly used, and also heard from Philander Smith College about its limited role in verifying enrollment. Members expressed concern about the program’s results and the lack of detail on accountability, and the committee voted to table the report until the next meeting for further review and requested additional information, including the federal court order and more detail on expenditures and oversight. Finally, the committee reviewed the annual disposition report on matters referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General for 2024. Staff said 164 matters were referred, with 28 resulting in criminal charges and convictions, 39 still under review, 96 not charged, and others dismissed or pending; 20 convictions produced fines, restitution, and audit-cost orders, and bond trust fund claims were paid in some cases. Prosecutor Coordinator and Attorney General representatives explained that some referrals do not meet criminal standards, may lack intent, or are otherwise not prosecutable, and members asked for more standardized reporting, clearer explanations of why cases are not charged, and more information on restitution efforts. The committee discussed possible templates, training, and better coordination, then voted to file the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Typically, They need a fund as part of their federal drinking water programs.
• The water authority is ABC at this point.
• So people, you know, paying their water rates or sewer rates, and then they're paying operations.
• With water projects, we have this problem: we're going to invest in this infrastructure.
• Well, water doesn't take a year to invest; it takes a year just to do planning.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We have oil and water separators that go in there.
• We have uh<00:08:16.319><c> oil</c><00:08:16.479><c> and</c><00:08:16.720><c> water</c><00:08:16.960>
• separators</c><00:08:17.520><c> that</c><00:08:17.680><c> go</c><00:08:17.840><c> in</c> uh oil and water
• This update to our pump system allows us to more accurately keep track of our water, our power usage,
• Senator Waters, thank you.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee approved the minutes from its February 24 meeting and then received a briefing on the legislative parking garage from Terry Poff, Chief Operating Officer for the General Court. He reported that the pre-stressed concrete garage, being built with panels fabricated by Unistress in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, remains on schedule, with erection expected in late July through August and functional occupancy targeted for March 17, 2026. He said the garage will provide 409 spaces, security cameras, a communications repeater, and a maintenance plan developed from the outset. In response to questions, he explained nearby street excavation is for drainage vaults and oil-water separators, and that temporary closures will be needed during panel deliveries. He also said the garage was designed with future EV charging infrastructure in mind, but current charging stations would need to be located outside the secure facility; he has begun discussions with city officials about possible curbside charging options. The committee then heard and approved a $754,000 capital request for Cannon Mountain/Franconia Notch State Park maintenance projects. The request, recommended by the Cannon Mountain Advisory Commission, covers lodge exterior repairs, lift maintenance, snowmaking pipe replacements and pump controls, and equipment purchases to improve maintenance operations. The committee approved the item after brief discussion. Next, the Department of Transportation presented two toll-credit requests. The first, CAP 250007, sought toll credits to support transportation planning, regional planning commissions, GIS and asset-management work, and related federal planning requirements; members asked about coordination with Granite data and the effect of a prior budget decision on regional planning officers, and staff said the request would not affect the regular federally funded program. The committee approved the item. The second, CAP 25010, sought $245,000 in toll credits for bus terminal improvements, regional mobility management, a statewide transit assessment, and an intercity bus pilot intended to connect Keene with southern New Hampshire or Concord. Members asked about the subsidy structure and ridership reporting; staff said the intercity service would be a net-cost subsidy and agreed to provide updated ridership and route information. The committee approved this item as well. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted that a quarterly capital projects report from DAS and the community college system was informational only, and members opted not to hear a separate presentation that day. The next meeting was set for September 29 at 9:00 a.m., with a request to invite HHS to discuss closed-loop referral system projects. Members also asked for future updates on the planned sale of the Cenuunu Center, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair will now call Blair Parker, San Antonio Water System, for the bill.
• I'm with the San Antonio Water System. Thank you, Representative Spiller, for filing this bill.
• We provide water, wastewater, and reclaimed water service to about 2 million people.
• So just to give you an idea of what that means for a water utility, some of the products that are critical
• to maintain a functioning water system are pipe, fitting valves, pumps, just to name a few.

Bills: HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: public funds, lobbying activities, political subdivision, government spending, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• I have also been the chair of LAFCO, Council of Governments for transportation and local water agencies
• Agency Formation Commission, and we really oversee the jurisdictions, ensuring, for example, that water
• We have no control over water districts or sewer.
• information on new optional elements like the urban design element, historic preservation element, water
• element... ...elements like the urban design element, historic preservation element, water element,

Summary: The committee first heard AB 253, by Assembly Member Ward and presented by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to review certain post-entitlement permits if a local building department would take more than 30 days. Supporters, including California YIMBY, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Housing Action Coalition, the Bay Area Council, SPUR, and Abundant Housing LA, said the bill would reduce permitting delays and help housing production. League of Cities and the California State Association of Counties expressed concerns but were not formally opposed. Members voiced strong support, and the bill passed the committee 10-0 to Appropriations. The committee then held an informational hearing on California’s general plan. The first panel, led by UC Davis professor Catherine Brinkley, gave an overview of the general plan structure, required elements, update cycles, and the new PlanSearch database that makes adopted plans searchable statewide. She emphasized that general plans are long-term, locally tailored documents that integrate housing, transportation, safety, environmental justice, and other policy areas, and noted that many plans and elements are outdated. Members asked about update timelines, public participation, and whether AI tools could help with drafting and analysis. A second panel of local government representatives described the practical challenges of preparing and updating general plans, especially in rural and small jurisdictions. Speakers from Calaveras County, Sacramento, San Joaquin County, and Fountain Valley cited staffing shortages, consultant availability, funding constraints, CEQA and outreach costs, changing state mandates, and the difficulty of keeping plans aligned with local conditions and board turnover. They asked for more funding, more time, clearer prioritization, and more flexibility. A third panel from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation explained its role in issuing general plan guidelines, technical advisories, and annual planning surveys, and said it is updating its guidance through 2027 to reflect recent housing, climate, safety, environmental justice, and open space laws. No public comment was offered, and the informational hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> affects private property, be that water affects private property, be that water or<01:22:54.760>
• It's It's taking water, sewer upgrades.
• </c> already blown that calendar out of water already blown that calendar out of water with<01:52:49.360
• </c><03:52:26.400><c> Eyes</c> storm water infrastructure study.
• </c> Water Conservation Program. Eyes 31. Water Conservation Program. Eyes 31.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And some of it's ocean, you know, some of it's water or different temperature of water for sharks and
• Waters can cover the second one.
• Waters can cover the first one and Mr.
• Waters. Mr. Chair, Senator Green.
• I'm here with Clean Water Action and Recycling Electronics for Climate Action.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's going to be, there's one circulating now about clean water.
• Lucie River Water Control District, St. Lucie County.
• Lucie River Water Control District, St. Lucie County.
• Lucie River Water Control District, St. Lucie County. Senator Girl.
• And we will get this done, come hell or high water.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Senators also paid tribute to former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron with a moment of silence. The chamber then moved to special-order bills after routine announcements that no committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk. The first major bill, SB 138/HB 687 on transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses and added warnings and misdemeanor penalties for refusing lawful breath or urine tests. After a brief amendment and questions about attorney rights and prior impairing-substance language, the bill passed 37-0. SB 306 on Medicaid providers followed, requiring broader provider access, including after-hours availability and more primary care access for Medicaid enrollees; it also passed 37-0. The chamber then took up the major condominium reform bill, SB 1742/HB 913, addressing post-Surfside safety, reserve funding, milestone inspections, budgeting, reserve flexibility, manager regulation, conflicts of interest, and condo sale rescission periods. Senators from both parties praised the sponsors for extensive stakeholder work and the bill passed 37-0 after multiple amendments. The final major item was SB 7016/HB 1205 on constitutional amendments and petition-gathering rules, with sponsors arguing the bill was needed to combat fraud in the 2024 petition process and opponents warning it would burden citizen initiatives. The Senate adopted the House bill and then considered numerous amendments on petition circulator rules, submission deadlines, invalid-signature thresholds, voter notification, and related enforcement provisions; several amendments were adopted, and the substitute was later withdrawn, leaving the chamber to continue on the underlying bill and remaining amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We wish that our Republican water.
• </c> the ocean waters are free of pollution. the ocean waters are free of pollution.
• </c><00:49:57.440><c> Since</c> waters of the Gulf of America. Since waters of the Gulf of America.
• There are an estimated half a waters.
• water industries include water transportation<01:06:59.920><c> and</c><01:07:00.160><c> leisure</c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is water, basically, in sludge on the inside of your tank. It rots from the inside out.
• And then we have a sump that goes out to this, you know, pumps water out on the lawn.
• So prosthetics, running blades, water legs—which I had to get a grant for, a water leg to go surfing—the
• water legs, the shower legs, the running blades, the sports knees.
• There was nothing else offered to him except a cup of water, which patients know they need to.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda. Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage. The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.

Transcript Highlights:

• of water rates.
• operating in that county, and customers of the water system.
• districts operating in that county, and customers of the water system.
• Every time we call it an emergency when it’s not, we water it down.
• Every time we call it an emergency when it's not, we water it down.

Summary: The committee first received staff briefings on amendments for a series of bills, including measures on child care workforce standards, homelessness programs, community preservation authorities, domestic violence survivor relief, public defense funding, student behavioral health supports, water system ownership changes, nonprofit health carrier surplus assessments, 340B drug pricing reporting, Secretary of State filing fees, step housing, campaign security reimbursements, digital equity programs, a Boys and Men’s Commission, a waste-to-energy facility’s Climate Commitment Act obligations, 6PPD tire substitutes, and an early education scholarship. Staff described the policy changes and, where available, the expected fiscal effects of each proposed substitute or line amendment. The committee then went into caucus before returning for executive session. In executive session, the committee voted out House Bill 1073, then adopted a Couture line amendment to House Bill 1128 exempting private K-12 schools with licensed child care programs from the child care employer definition before reporting the bill out as Second Substitute House Bill 1128. House Bill 1316, 1408, 1591, 1592, 1634, 1906, 1960, 2073, 2145, 2248, 2266, 2301, 2333, and 2365 were also reported from committee, with several amendments adopted along the way. Notable actions included adopting an emergency clause for House Bill 1408, rejecting proposed amendments to House Bill 1591 that would have narrowed relief for survivors and removed retroactivity, adopting a narrower amendment to House Bill 1592’s public defense funding formula, and adopting a substitute to House Bill 2145 that limited 340B reporting to hospitals. The committee also debated and rejected several amendments to the step housing bill, House Bill 2266, including proposals for larger school/daycare buffers, more local oversight, and broader local government authority; the bill still advanced on a 16-13 vote. House Bill 2073, which requires nonprofit health carriers to contribute surplus funds to Cascade Care Savings, advanced over concerns about using one-time money for an ongoing program. House Bill 2248 advanced after an amendment redirected annual license fee deposits to the state treasury rather than the Secretary of State’s revolving fund. House Bill 2333 was narrowed to allow use of campaign funds for personal security reimbursements, and House Bill 2365 advanced with some amendments adopted and others rejected as the committee began discussing additional digital equity oversight provisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are on House Bill 446 and Senator Waters are on House Bill 446 and Senator Waters wishes<01:06:35.359
• Senator Waters, no. Senator McConi, yes. Senator Waters, no.
• Senator Waters, no. Senator McConi, yes. Senator Waters, no.
• Senator<04:06:08.960><c> Waters,</c><04:06:09.439><c> no.
• Senator Apprentice, Senator Waters, no.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> impacts to lake water quality. Okay. impacts to lake water quality. Okay.
• </c><01:59:37.840><c> and</c> lots not serviced by town water and lots not serviced by town water and
• </c> the water supply. Thank you. Thank you. the water supply. Thank you. Thank you.
• Wells must support additional water supply.
• Wells must support additional water supply.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work with communities to protect drinking water.
• We have some SGRS proposals and some clean water proposals that I will review quickly as well.
• Although there are new requirements, our drinking water protection project is projecting a reduction
• </c> are new requirements our drinking water are new requirements our drinking water protection<01:07
• And then we have a number of Clean Water proposals that you all can review in the packet.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That way, every year we know we're going to spend money on public water and public infrastructure, and
• All the police stations and community centers can take second place over clean water and clean air, so
• that we are doing here really does impact people on a day-to-day basis, especially around the clean water

Bills: HF719 , HF2484 , HF2486

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: safety, school transportation, infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, library construction, education funding, early childhood, child protection, funding, bonds, education facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• Bandera became a staging point for drives up the Western Trail because of its plentiful water and grass
• for specific infrastructure and economic development projects such as airports, docks, rail masts, water
• undergoing a very gradual, very careful revision. are chapter by chapter and then there are some additional water

Committee: Senate Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• troubling rise in abandoned or neglected agricultural land, often left unmanaged due to market forces and water
• Several factors are driving this trend, including a lack of access to surface water and tight groundwater
• To grow crops, we tend to say we need water, soil, and sunlight, but as a farmer myself in Fresno County

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FOR SOME BOATERS, THE FIRST EXPERIENCE THEY HAVE OPERATING A BOAT ON THE WATER IS THE STATE BOAT RENTAL
• LOOKING FOR PEOPLE RENTING THE BOAT AND TRYING TO DO THE BEST THING FOR THEM AND OTHER BOATERS IN THE WATER
• ANYONE WHO HAS A GOING OUT ON THE WATER RANTING ABOUT HAS AN ADVANTAGE. >> Chair: ANY QUESTIONS?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other crops were actually soiled because at the same time the water was rising, our water sewer infrastructure
• ... ...soiled because at the same time the water was rising, our water and sewer infrastructure actually

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on 25 tax and administrative bills, with opening remarks explaining the hearing process and noting that House-filed matters must be reported by December 6. The first major topic was funding for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial and related support for families of fallen officers. Police representatives, memorial fund advocates, and family members gave emotional testimony urging favorable action on S. 1934 and related bills, emphasizing the need for a permanent revenue stream to maintain the memorial and honor officers killed in the line of duty. Committee members and legislators responded with personal remarks of support and appreciation for law enforcement families. The committee then heard testimony on a proposed Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, including S. 1967 and related bills. Senator Peter Durant and later Dennis Porter argued that the state should be allowed to invest a limited share of stabilization or other funds in Bitcoin or other regulated digital assets as a hedge against inflation and fiscal risk, with strict caps, custody rules, and audits. They described the proposal as a forward-looking, non-mandatory framework for diversifying state reserves. No vote was taken during the hearing. Another major topic was disaster resilience funding. Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham supported S. 1936/H. 3030, saying climate-driven flooding, drought, and wildfire risks are increasing and that the State Disaster Relief and Resiliency Trust Fund needs a dedicated revenue source. Senator Comerford also testified in favor, explaining that the fund was created in the prior session, that recent floods showed the need for quick state response, and that the bill would dedicate a portion of capital gains revenue to the fund. Committee members asked about how the fund would accrue and be used. The committee also heard testimony on PILOT and endowment-related bills: AICUM opposed H. 3122/S. 2013 and H. 3264/S. 2016, arguing that an endowment tax and mandatory PILOTs would harm private nonprofit colleges, students, and research; and a representative from Peru supported reform of PILOT formulas for state-owned land, saying rural towns need higher reimbursements and hold-harmless protections. The hearing concluded after testimony on the digital asset bills, with no recorded votes or final actions.