Transcript Highlights:

• SO THE LOCK SYSTEMS THAT COME IN AND OUT OF LAKE OKEECHOBEE CONTROLLING THE LAKE LEVELS IS OPERATED BY
• THE WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN THE LAKE GETS TOO FULL BECAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER PLACE TO PUT IT THE LAKE GETS
• LUCIE ESTUARY I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT LAKE DISCHARGE THAT NEEDS TO GO SOUTH BUT THE LAKE COMING OFF OF
• THE BASIN'S BROWN TALKING ABOUT LAKE DISCHARGE THAT NEEDS TO GO SOUTH BUT THE LAKE COMING OFF OF THE
• IN LAKE OKEECHOBEE LOOK ITS TAX.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that can be really challenging, too, as far as the demand of what cities need and what cities
• And only Spirit Lake got back to me.
• So I know Spirit Lake—we're here at Standing Rock, which I will get to—but I know Spirit Lake and the
• Devils Lake issue came up.
• It was mentioned that at Spirit Lake and Devils Lake they have fortunately not had invasive species really

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock with tribal council members, state legislators, and agency representatives to discuss state-tribal coordination and local priorities. Early discussion focused on process concerns, including the short agenda time and the need for better communication, more advance notice, and more relevant state department staff at future meetings. Tribal leaders asked for lists of state tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes, and state members said they would follow up, share grant and deadline information, and plan another meeting in Bismarck with program experts and agency staff. A major portion of the meeting centered on health, child welfare, law enforcement, housing, infrastructure, and sovereignty issues. Tribal speakers said rural health transformation funding and other state programs often do not fit direct-service tribes or IHS-funded systems, and they raised concerns about Medicaid, ICWA, foster care delays, human service zones, housing shortages, and the placement of Native children off-reservation. They also discussed missing and murdered Indigenous people, search-and-rescue cooperation, cross-deputization, extradition and banishment ordinances, and the need for stronger law enforcement partnerships that respect tribal sovereignty. Other concerns included poor roads, water and sewer needs in Sioux County communities, census accuracy, and the impact of data centers and other development on water and health. Economic development and regulatory issues were also discussed. Standing Rock representatives raised concerns about charitable gaming and e-pull tabs, saying the machines function like Class III gaming and have harmed tribal revenue while spreading into local businesses. They also described problems with county-issued fireworks permits and state/county liquor licensing rules that they said undermine tribal authority within reservation boundaries. In response, legislators said the committee would continue to look at these issues, and one member suggested possible legislation such as limiting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also heard from Joseph McNeil of Sage Development Authority about a 235-megawatt wind project on tribal, allotted, and fee land; he said federal permitting delays have stalled the project and asked for state support to help move it forward. The meeting concluded with a presentation from Dave Archambo of Wojou, a nonprofit focused on land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, cultural programming, and youth wellness. He described the organization’s work on buffalo processing, gardening, fishing, hunting, language, and arts programs, and framed it as a response to historical trauma and community healing. The committee then broke for lunch and planned to resume with the Wojou presentation after the recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> about the county buildings and the city about the county buildings and the city buildings<00:12:
• </c> Solano um here who is the Deputy city Solano um here who is the Deputy city manager<00:19:21.559
• I'll stand for any questions. city of Plymouth requests a sales tax city of Plymouth requests a sales
• </c> of visitors from outside of our city of visitors from outside of our city this<00:21:23.320><c>
• </c> Weber it's for Round Lake Weber it's for Round Lake Brewster<00:47:18.079><c> we</c><00:47:18.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, so you took out, like, Cross Lake, Cypress Lake, all the freshwater lakes? Yes, ma'am.
• You're only exempting all lakes except for Toledo Bend and Caddo Lake. Yes. All right.
• Have you seen Lake Pontchartrain on a map? Lake Pontchartrain already has it.
• Have you seen Lake Pontchartrain on a map? Lake Pontchartrain already has it.
• Like, what about Lake Morapal, Lake Salvador?

Bills: HR210, HR211, HR212, HR213, HR214, HR215, HR216, HR217, HR196, HR197, HR198, HR199, HR200, HR201, HR203, HR204, HR205, HR206, HR207, HR208, HR209, HCR87, HCR88, HCR89, HCR90, HR118, HCR63, HCR69, HCR86, SCR6, SCR18, HB79, HB165, HB175, HB198, HB437, HB457, HB488, HB603, HB646, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1089, HB1099, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231, HB1245, HB1246, HB1247, HB1248, HB1249, SB47, SB82, SB106, SB206, SB210, SB248, SB305, SB376, SB397, SB441, HCR41, HCR76, HCR77, SCR19, SCR3, HB64, HB68, HB92, HB316, HB549, HB578, HB748, HB798, HB824, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1032, HB1081, HB1108, HB1129, HB1140, HB1157, HB1192, HB1195, HB1198, HB1244, HB167, HB227, HB243, HB321, HB335, HB398, HB492, HB624, HB689, HB708, HB804, HB906, HB926, HB955, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB1005, HB1029, HB1069, HB1077, HB1095, HB1104, HB1107, HB1187, HB1203, HB1217, HB1220, SB73, SB89, SB128, SB149, SB191, SB196, SB238, SB318, SB340, SB66, SB68, SB76, SB139, SB336, SB475, HCR32, HB181, HB1118, HB1082, HB225, HB864, HB1166, HB1189, HB59, HB617, HB897, HB911, HB1223, HB901, HR20, HR74, HB284, HB306, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB459, HB577, HB582, HB605, HB614, HB682, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB996, HB1035, HB1113, HB1180, HB1234, HB1240

Keywords: renewable energy, job creation, veteran employment, economic development, energy security, asthma, allergy, awareness, healthcare, public health, Louisiana, St. Bernard Parish, special recognition, parish day, state capitol, Louisiana resolution, ceremonial resolution, honorary resolution, community celebration, local heritage

Summary: The House met on April 27, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of personal privileges recognizing Domestic Violence Prevention and Advocacy Day, Guarantee Corporation’s 100th anniversary, Delta Waterfowl, FFA and 4-H students, St. Bernard Parish Day, the Louisiana Notary Association, and New Orleans Day. The chamber also received Senate messages, committee reports, and introduced several resolutions, including measures on Gulf States renewable energy, asthma and allergy awareness, St. Bernard Parish Day, and other commemorations. The floor then took up a long series of bills and resolutions. Among the notable measures were House Bill 316 on literacy and tutoring, House Bill 578 changing statutory references from gender to sex, House Bill 748 expanding toll exemptions for school board vehicles, House Bill 101 redesignating a portion of U.S. Highway 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway, House Bill 1032 cleaning up DWI terminology, House Bill 1081 transferring the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission, House Bill 1108 creating a homeschool pride prestige plate, House Bill 1129 giving in-state auctioneers preference for selling surplus state property, House Bill 1157 creating a Louisiana State Infrastructure Bank, House Bill 1192 creating a dental hygienist prestige plate, House Bill 1195 revising athletic commission rules and NIL-related provisions, House Bill 1198 barring arbitration in child custody and visitation matters, House Bill 181 allowing limited tax-data sharing for Medicaid/SNAP integrity, House Bill 1118 requiring disclosure of hospital ownership by real estate investment trusts, House Bill 1082 changing venue rules in suits involving municipal police employees’ retirement systems, House Bill 225 proposing a lifetime two-term limit for governor, House Bill 864 on municipal fire limits and storage of flammables, House Bill 1189 requiring captain’s licenses for certain freshwater charter guides, and House Bill 549 creating the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program. Most measures passed, often after brief debate and technical amendments. Several bills were recommitted or returned to the calendar, including House Bill 902, House Bill 1245, and House Bill 1247, while House Bill 225 failed on final passage. The House also considered and passed multiple Senate bills dealing with tax administration, child custody testimony, Supreme Court disciplinary jurisdiction over out-of-state lawyers, civil investigation demands in Medicaid fraud cases, service of process fees and notice, and permanent homestead exemption registration. The session ended with the House in recess after completing its bill agenda for the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:42.080><c> of</c> penalty forgiveness for the cities of penalty forgiveness for the cities
• It's a new city, right?
• Yes of course city.
• All right. north of cities south of Duth. Where north of cities south of Duth.
• Uh north of the city, south where is he? Uh north of the city, south of<00:42:25.200><c> Duth.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those projects are $75,000 to the city of Fergus Falls to address water quality concerns on Lake Alice
• </c> amounts of improvements in in our lakes amounts of improvements in in our lakes in<00:31:29.159>
• </c> toxic blooms threatening Northern Lakes toxic blooms threatening Northern Lakes and<00:31:46.360
• Alice uh this project has been in Lake Alice uh this project has been in that<00:32:26.799><c> Lake<
• It's a completely different lake.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those cities, if those counties have a city.
• As far as the July 4th flood, we were not as active because both Lake Georgetown and Lake...
• on the way to Lake Travis.
• their way to Lake Travis.
• Lake Marble Falls.

Keywords: flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Kin Lake rendering.
• You can This is the Kin Lake rendering.
• This is Ken Lake.
• ,</c><00:21:16.480><c> and</c> Kentucky Dam Village, Kin Lake, and Kentucky Dam Village, Kin Lake, and
• <00:28:50.799><c> and</c><00:28:51.520><c> uh</c><00:28:51.840><c> KDV</c> Lake and uh KDV Lake and uh

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection received a detailed update from Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Meyer on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. He said the department is making steady progress on a large portfolio of park improvements, with regular quarterly reporting to the legislature and ongoing coordination with the Finance Cabinet, the Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and local utilities and governments. He emphasized that ADA accessibility is a priority across projects and noted that many completed items, including campground bathhouse renovations, broadband upgrades, life safety improvements, playground replacements, and some furniture and mattress upgrades, are already drawing positive feedback. The presentation focused heavily on campground, utility, and infrastructure work. Meyer described $40 million in campground upgrades split between western and eastern Kentucky, including projects at Ken Lake, Carter Caves, My Old Kentucky Home, Cumberland Falls, and others. He also outlined $20 million in utility improvements, including a federal matching grant for grid resiliency at Ken Lake and Kentucky Dam Village, plus wastewater and electrical infrastructure work at parks such as Dale Hollow, Blue Licks, Natural Bridge, and Cumberland Falls. Additional categories included building systems, life safety, structural repairs, accommodations and hospitality upgrades, pool and beach work, dam safety, playgrounds, and golf course improvements. Members asked about the status of Lake Barkley utilities, the possibility of transferring upgraded utility infrastructure to local providers after repairs, and how park repair priorities are set. Meyer said park managers report issues through regional directors and that projects are prioritized through a running capital list, similar to a long-range transportation plan. He said the department has already spent the current $20 million allocation and is requesting $40 million in the next budget cycle, adding that the department believes it could spend and complete projects if that amount is appropriated. The commissioner also said the department is managing 284 additional capital projects outside the main funding streams, totaling nearly $70 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of them is Willisburg Lake over in Washington County.
• Willisburg Lake impounds Lick Creek.
• And then Clemens uh Lake route there.
• We've out, especially for Eagle Lake.
• </c> service to the city of Owensboro. service to the city of Owensboro. uh<00:25:22.240><c> Princeton

Keywords: 00:02 EEC – State-Owned Dams 21:07 EEC – Grid Resilience Grant Funds 37:24 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations from the Department for Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy Policy on Kentucky’s state-owned dam repair program and the electric grid resilience program. Commissioner Tony Hatton explained how state dams are defined and classified under Kentucky law, the criteria used to prioritize repairs or decommissioning, and the status of several projects funded in the last biennium. He said the department is using a design-bid-build process, with major work planned or underway at Willisburg Lake, Big Bone Lick State Park Dam, Clemens Lake Dam, Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chinoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and Lake Malone, and that $0.5 million is reserved for routine repairs. He also described the timeline and cost pressures, noting that construction seasons and bid uncertainty can affect schedules and estimates. Members asked several questions about whether the estimates were current, how accurate the bids tend to be, why the process takes so long, and whether it would be better to fund design separately before construction. Hatton said the estimates are the best current engineering estimates, that costs often stay within about 10% but can vary, and that the overall process is usually closer to two years than four, though delays can occur. He also said all of the allocated dam funds must be available before bids can be let. The committee discussed whether design work can become stale if construction is delayed. Kenya Stump then updated the committee on Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program under federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. She said Kentucky has received years one through three of the five-year program and has allocated funds to state park electric systems and municipal utilities, with years four and five not yet received. She identified Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village as the two state park projects in progress, and Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville as the municipal projects selected through a competitive process. She said the projects are under contract or in final negotiations, with municipal construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish by the end of 2026, and explained that the work includes line, pole, transformer, meter, and outage-management upgrades. Members asked about the relationship between this program and prior park appropriations, the timing of agreements with Parks, and whether the park systems could eventually be transferred to the local electric cooperative; Stump said the park agreements are imminent and that the upgrades are intended to bring the systems up to code so the cooperative can maintain them. No votes were taken, and the chair adjourned the committee until the following Wednesday, with a possible time change to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Transcript Highlights:

• We manage nine reclamation properties, including Elephant Butte Lake, Caballo Lake, Heron, Alvado, Brantley
• With an example of Murphy Lake in our trilateral agreement, there was a high hazard dam at Murphy Lake
• It would take out the whole city of Espanola.
• We had flooding, great lake levels, and rivers running.
• Story Lake was at an all-time high for an extended period of time, along with Morphy Lake.

Transcript Highlights:

• Street, George Modular Housing in North Minneapolis, Red Lake Trading Post in Red Lake, and Climate
• Street, George Modular Housing in North Minneapolis, Red Lake Trading Post in Red Lake, and Climate
• Street, George Modular Housing in North Minneapolis, Red Lake Trading Post in Red Lake, and Climate
• </c> the historic coliseum building on Lake the historic coliseum building on Lake Street,<00:03:28.800
• Trading Post in Minneapolis, Red Lake Trading Post in Red<00:03:32.319><c> Lake,</c><00:03:32.799><c

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2360, as amended by H.F. 2360A1, which would create a state-level New Markets Tax Credit-style program modeled on the federal program. Chair Swedzinski explained that the bill is intended to drive investment across Minnesota, including a requirement that at least 50% of the $200 million allocation be directed to greater Minnesota, and noted that the program would run for 12 months with state oversight to help guide investments. Testimony in support came from Alex Stuponic of Advantage Capital and Jason Wabama of Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions in Hibbing. Stuponic described the federal New Markets program as a tool for directing capital to low-income and underserved communities, cited Minnesota projects that have already benefited from federal funding, and argued that state programs in other states have successfully attracted more investment. Wabama said the credit could help rural businesses like his expand, noting that his Hibbing company has grown from one employee in 2021 to 22 employees and hopes to reach 50 employees while eventually becoming an ESOP. Chair Gomez raised concerns about the bill’s changes, especially the set-aside of half the funds for one region and the five-year carryforward, saying the proposal seemed arbitrary and more permissive and that there was likely not room in the budget for the $100 million cost this year. In response, Swedzinski said the fiscal note pushes costs into future years, with the first costs beginning in 2028-2029, and emphasized that the structure would allow the investment benefits to occur upfront. The amendment was adopted, and the bill, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, first, a city like St.
• Kohl Lake has multiple projects, and this is true in other core cities in the metro and throughout Greater
• Kohl Lake has multiple projects, and this is true in other core cities in the metro and throughout Greater
• So that’s Lake, Cook, St. Louis, and Carlton, I think. That sounds right — Lake, Cook, St.
• I think that sounds right — Lake, Cook, St. Louis, and Carlton for Lake Superior Basin.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent 11 cities over in the Lake Minnetonka area.
• I represent 11 cities over in the Lake Minnetonka area.
• </c> during winter months on our frozen lakes during winter months on our frozen lakes and<00:04:23.840
• Were you actually on a lake? Did you catch something? Mr.
• Leech Lake this weekend uh perch fishing Leech Lake this weekend uh perch fishing perch<00:07:41.720>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1120, the follow-up “Keep It Clean” bill from Representative Andrew Myers, which would create grant funding for local governments and organizations to improve garbage removal and related clean-water programs, especially around frozen lakes and winter recreation areas. Myers said the earlier Keep It Clean effort to enforce litter laws on frozen lakes had already reduced garbage in the water, and he framed this bill as a way to expand that success with additional resources. Testifier Robin Dwight of the Upper Red Lake Area Association and Keep It Clean Coalition described growing problems with trash and human waste on ice, said the coalition now has 60 members representing more than 10,000 lakes, and explained that local programs use dumpsters and separation systems to manage waste. Tom Johnson of the MPCA and Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers of the DNR both testified in support, saying improper disposal of human and solid waste is a real and growing problem and that the public education campaign has changed behavior on the ice. Members asked about the bill’s results and funding needs. Representative Pelz asked for more context on the coalition’s impact, and Dwight said the group has been active for about three years and recently launched a survey to gather more data on infrastructure needs for wheelhouse users. Representative Fiser asked what dollar amount would be needed, and Myers said the bill seeks general fund dollars, with a rough ideal range of one to two million dollars, though he emphasized he wanted to work with the committee on the final amount and funding mechanism. The discussion also noted a second related bill with a $10 wheelhouse fee as another possible funding option. No opposition testimony was presented. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to lay over House File 1120 for possible inclusion in a future bill, and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> shared that I have a camp on Lake shared that I have a camp on Lake monomac<00:40:12.040><c> in<
• </c><01:09:07.839><c> others</c> their family out on the lake others their family out on the lake others
• </c> are nominated by select boards City are nominated by select boards City council's<03:23:03.000><
• </c> the state uh that come to mind uh Lake the state uh that come to mind uh Lake wiip<03:43:06.120>
• </c><04:38:07.879><c> of</c><04:38:08.000><c> Newton</c> FAA sued the city of Newton FAA sued the city

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then 17 of those are cities that may be serving other cities or cities that are serving rural or
• And then 17 of those are cities that may be serving other cities or cities that are serving rural or
• In fact, we told them that the city of St. Louis, city of St.
• You'll see big cities, small cities, all of them on through the list.
• This also includes the city of Wing, and there are also a couple other smaller lake area community areas

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the city administrator. I've been employed by the city for about 22, 23 years.
• I'm the city administrator. I've been employed by the city for about 22, 23 years.
• New Hampshire has many fewer lakes and less densely packed lakes.
• in those lakes in Minnesota.
• in a lake in New Hampshire.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh and so are our cities.
• Uh and so are our cities.
• Uh and so are our cities.
• Uh and so are our cities.
• Uh, and so are our cities. And yet they're going to be Cities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• City State University.
• Again, speaking as a young Watford City student who watched all the opportunities the city kids had,
• So far we've heard from Lake Region, Valley City State University, two of our great higher ed programs
• So far we've heard from Lake Region, Valley City State University, two of our great higher ed programs
• So I thank Lake Region for that.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
• the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
• the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
• </c><00:02:38.599><c> cities</c><00:02:39.440><c> this</c> Greater Minnesota cities this Greater Minnesota
• </c><00:09:17.959><c> that</c> miles hour or less within cities that miles hour or less within cities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, our Medina Lake is now just about above 2% full, so.
• Yeah, our Medina Lake is now just about above 2% full, so almost 98% empty.
• I mean, you can see it, the pricing and stuff at the lake currently.
• But Medina Lake has a relatively small watershed that it draws from.
• Farmers and ranchers, you know, frankly, are using a lot more groundwater than cities.

Bills: HB4530, HB4931, HB5559, HB5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable. The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending. House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.