Transcript Highlights:

• How do you ultimately add the beauty of conservation...
• the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
• Stacking the deck against conservation.
• I feel that that fundamentally goes against the conservation mission of FWC.
• The population, that that is the preferred method rather than conservation.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first considered the appointment of Joshua Kellam to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellam described his background with Garcia Companies, emphasized his conservation interests and land stewardship work, and addressed concerns about his development ties, the commission’s composition, the recent black bear hunt vote, and a prior Yes on 2 campaign supported by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Supporters said he is a conservation-minded landowner and good steward of large acreage, while opponents argued the commission is already overrepresented by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend his confirmation, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no and the rest of the members present voting yes. The committee then received an FWC implementation update on recently enacted boating and waterways legislation. FWC staff reviewed five laws: the Boater Freedom Act (SB 1388), Vessel Accountability (SB 164), Lucy’s Law/Boating Safety (HB 289), Disposition of Migrant Vessels (SB 830), and Water Access Facilities (HB 735). The presentation covered new rules on vessel stops, safety decals, Springs Protection Zones, derelict and at-risk vessel enforcement, long-term anchoring permits, tougher boating penalties, removal of migrant vessels, and grants for boating access infrastructure. Staff said rulemaking and officer training were underway, with some provisions already effective and others scheduled to take effect later in 2025 or January 2026. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and the new Springs Protection Zone standard. FWC explained that responsible owners must reimburse removal costs and can lose vessel registration privileges if they do not pay. On Springs Protection Zones, staff said the new law raises the threshold from any harm to significant harm and requires vessel activity to be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make that determination. Senator Smith questioned whether the higher standard makes protections harder to establish and asked about Silver Glen Springs; FWC said that proposal was paused and would be revisited under the new criteria. The committee took no further action and adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, as the state pursues its 2030 conservation goals, it's also important to invest in conservation
• However, as the state pursues its 2030 conservation goals, it's also important to invest in conservation
• We have the largest urban conservancy in the state, the Baldwin Hills Conservancy, right in the heart
• Hill's conservancy right in the heart of South Central Los Angeles and South LA.
• And I think it's just important to bring green spaces to the hood, to conserve, to conserve indigenous

Summary: The committee met to hear AB 946 by Assembly Member Isaac Bryan, which would encourage California’s 30 by 30 conservation efforts to include investments in historically underserved urban communities. The author said the bill is intended to reduce “nature poverty” in places like South Los Angeles by treating urban greening and conservation as a co-equal goal alongside rural and coastal land protection. Supporters, including the California Park and Recreation Society, the Trust for Public Land, and Los Angeles County, argued that urban conservation can provide both environmental and human benefits, especially where land can be reused or restored for parks and green space. Committee members discussed the bill’s focus on urban areas versus rural districts. One member said they would not support it because it seemed to prioritize heavily urban communities over rural ones in their district, while others said the bill helps ensure conservation resources are distributed more equitably and can have important psychological, health, and climate benefits for dense communities. The author responded that the bill does not neglect rural areas, but instead seeks to correct an imbalance by ensuring urban communities are also considered in 30 by 30 planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Appropriations Committee. The vote was overwhelmingly in favor, with several members voting aye and one member not voting at the time of the roll call. After the vote, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for the conservation values, basically maintaining natural lands held in conservation provides
• Mexico State Parks has held in conservation.
• Association of Conservation Districts.
• However, I do think conservation is key. Conservation at all levels.
• Conservation in agriculture, municipal conservation.

Transcript Highlights:

• equipment and to conserve water.
• The next slide highlights the Agricultural Water Conservation Fund.
• Let's start with the Texas Soil and Conservation Board.
• With these funds, local districts employ conservation planners and direct conservation assistance funds
• Conservation Fund during the last legislative session.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Conservation Equity Management seeks permits on 43...
• Conservation Equity Management's message that we've been hearing is one of conservation, but the citizens
• Bass, talk about conservation. and doing conservation projects around the state and other areas and talked
• Groundwater Conservation District Management Plan.
• Groundwater Conservation District for a taking.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Would it impact any groundwater conservation district? Or other projects?
• I have the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.
• It is also aligned with the conservation efforts of the Nature Conservancy and our collaborative work
• I'm an attorney representing groundwater conservation districts.
• I've represented Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Ray Ettinger, and I'm AMC's New England Conservation Policy Coordinator.
• We think we can meet our housing goals and our state conservation goals.
• We think we can meet our housing goals and our state conservation goals.
• $900 million annually across all states for conservation.
• $900 million annually across all of all states for conservation.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to environmental, natural resources, and maritime issues. Representative Markey testified in support of H. 1000, which would create a commission to study financing wastewater infrastructure, especially in southeastern Massachusetts and the South Shore, citing combined sewer overflows and impacts on aquaculture. Members agreed the core challenge is finding long-term financing for wastewater solutions. The committee also heard testimony on H. 902 to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation, with supporters describing its role in expanding access, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping grow the outdoor economy. Related testimony also supported H. 986, which would codify the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access within the Department of Fish and Game, with witnesses emphasizing habitat restoration, flood reduction, public access, and boating/fishing opportunities. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 901/S. 597, “An Act Providing Nature for All,” which would dedicate existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to a new conservation fund. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Trust for Public Land, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and conservation groups argued the bill would provide a sustainable revenue stream for land conservation, parks, trails, wetlands, water protection, and climate resilience, while also advancing environmental justice and outdoor recreation. They said the state needs roughly $300 million more per year to meet land conservation goals and that the bill could generate about $100 million annually without raising taxes. Committee members asked about balancing conservation with housing and development, and witnesses said the goals are compatible and that the bill includes safeguards. Witnesses also noted similar funding models in other states. The hearing also included H. 1053, a bill to create a Merrimack River Collaborative. Regional planning and watershed advocates said the river faces bacterial contamination, heavy metals, combined sewer overflows, and other pollution, and that a formal collaborative would help coordinate municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits across the watershed and possibly across state lines. Another bill, H. 4109, would relocate harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor to allow reconstruction of deteriorating bulkheads at a waterfront industrial site; the New Bedford Port Authority, engineers, and the property owner said the change is needed for permitting and would support port modernization and jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on S. 641 regarding marine pilotage in New Bedford. Supporters argued the bill would remove a District 3 pilotage restriction and improve port flexibility and offshore wind operations, while opponents warned it would undermine the state’s compulsory pilotage system, weaken safety, and allow ship owners to shop for pilots. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The conservation programs, if you'll slip to your next slide.
• This includes disaster programs, loans, and conservation payments.
• It's the Conservation Security Program.
• It's called RCPP, or Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
• Then we put in programs like the CRP, the Conservation Reserve Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's conservation with this. I think there's conservation with fishermen.
• I think there's conservation with this. I think there's conservation with fishermen.
• I think there's conservation with this. I think there's conservation with fishermen.
• conservation efforts. conservation efforts.
• Continued opportunities for land conservation, conservation easements.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does shepherd conserved water.
• any water conserved. any water conserved.
• by the conservation project."
• conservation conservation voluntary<01:38:51.040> conservation voluntary conservation voluntary
• > in<01:41:45.040> and conserving conserving water used in and conserving conserving water

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm certainly trying to make sure that whatever is in conservation is in conservation.
• Are we talking preservation or conservation?
• But I'm certainly trying to make sure that whatever is in conservation is in conservation.
• Are we talking preservation or conservation?
• It is a conservation area.

Bills: S0002, S0026, S0354, S1112, S1192, S1220, S1352, S1670

Keywords: negligence, settlement, appropriation, highway safety, damages, law enforcement, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, land use, development, sustainability, environmental protection, housing policy, labor pool, employment, temporary work, placement fee, Department of Commerce

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard several bills and reported most of them favorably. The first major measure, CS/SB 1220, was described as a broad transportation package expanding FDOT authority over trails, seaports, aviation, advanced air mobility, delivery devices, and related technology, while also addressing toll revenue use, autonomous vehicle penalties, digital driver licenses, and an FDOT study on alternative-fuel vehicles. An amendment narrowed some provisions, including local regulation of personal delivery devices and FDOT airport language. Senator Smith and others raised concerns about language involving FDOT assistance to local governments on federal grant applications, but the bill passed unanimously after support from industry and local-government appearance cards. The committee also approved SB 1112, the Labor Pool Act, which would prohibit labor pools from charging placement fees when workers are hired permanently by a third-party employer and require annual registration with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce barriers to full-time employment, improve oversight, and help returning citizens and low-wage workers; multiple witnesses testified in support, including labor advocates and individuals describing high placement fees. Senators from both parties praised the bill’s worker and reentry benefits, and it passed unanimously. The committee then favorably reported SB 2, a claims bill for the estate of Danielle Maudsley arising from a fatal FHP arrest incident and settlement, and SB 26, another claims bill providing relief for the estate of Mark Legata after alleged FDOT negligence. Senate Bill 1352 on motor vehicles also passed without opposition. It would create a secure online portal for license plate seizure processing, allow disabled veterans to retain their DV plate designation upon reissuance or transfer, ban license plate covers and similar devices that obscure plates, and route certain online driver license and ID transactions through county tax collectors. SB 1192, a customer service pilot requiring callback queues for certain calls to the Department of Commerce and Department of Children and Families, was likewise reported favorably to improve response times and reduce hold times. The most extensive debate centered on CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a new process for very large developments on 10,000-acre or larger parcels if the owner sets aside 60% of the land for conservation or reserve uses. Supporters said it was intended to promote long-range planning, preserve land, and provide certainty for infrastructure and services, while opponents from counties, planning groups, and environmental organizations argued it would preempt local land-use authority, weaken public participation, and allow conservation requirements to be too vague. An amendment added more detail, but concerns remained about administrative approval, timelines, and the definition of reserve areas. Despite opposition from some members, the committee reported the bill favorably on a divided vote. SB 1670 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording one member’s vote on SB 1220.

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher conservation rates, that's a matter of the record.
• It can't discern weather, economics, or conservation.
• to discern conservation from foreclosure or weather or economics.
• It can't not discern weather, economics, conservation.
• to discern conservation from foreclosure, weather, economics.

Summary: The committee heard several energy and water affordability bills, with extensive testimony on SB 254 by Senator Becker, SB 541 by Senator Becker, SB 453 by Senator Stern, SB 292 by Senator Caballero, and SB 473 by Senator Padilla. SB 254 was presented as a broad utility affordability package addressing short-term climate credits, a Power Fund, tighter scrutiny of rate increases and utility profits, wildfire spending, securitization of future utility costs, and streamlining. Supporters, including TURN and several environmental and public power groups, said it could lower bills and reduce long-term costs; opponents from investor-owned utilities, labor, business, and local government raised concerns about market impacts, insufficient analysis, and the breadth of the bill. The committee approved SB 254 on a 6-3 vote and placed it on call. SB 541 focused on load flexibility and using existing grid capacity more efficiently. Senator Becker described it as a transparency and planning measure to identify cost-effective load shifting and reduce peak demand, while supporters said it could improve resiliency and save money. Several CCAs and utilities opposed the bill in print or unless amended, arguing that some language implied a mandate and that the concept needed more cost-effectiveness analysis; the author said amendments would remove language dividing the state goal among retail suppliers and clarify that the bill is not a procurement mandate. The committee passed SB 541 as amended to Appropriations on a 9-1 vote and left it on call. SB 453 by Senator Stern would return unspent ratepayer-funded microgrid program dollars and was described as a way to keep the lights on and redirect unused funds. It drew support from local government and environmental groups, with PG&E expressing concern about how the bill would affect its ability to spend awarded funds. The committee passed SB 453 as amended to Appropriations on a 12-0 vote. SB 292 by Senator Caballero would require more granular outage and reliability reporting, including census-tract-level data, to better inform resilience planning after PSPS events; utilities opposed unless amended, citing duplicative reporting and regulatory overlap, but the bill passed 12-0 to Appropriations. SB 473 by Senator Padilla would require or expand water utility decoupling to promote conservation and affordability. Supporters, including water utilities, labor, business, and local government groups, argued decoupling stabilizes revenue, supports conservation, and can keep rates lower for low-use customers. The Public Advocates Office opposed, saying prior pilot data showed no conservation benefit and about $1 billion in added costs, and that the CPUC had already rejected similar requests. Committee members questioned the conservation and capital-investment effects of the different rate structures; the author and supporters argued decoupling helps utilities fund infrastructure while allowing lower fixed charges for low-use customers. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on SB 473 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So conservation districts had to be formed even before the federal... conservation commission I won't
• Easements through conservation districts around all 2,107 dams.
• commission or conservation districts have increased.
• recruit and retain those employees out in those conservation districts.
• In conservation, otherwise we'll just get back behind the curve again.

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a registered lobbyist for the Middleview Grand Conservancy District.
• Debbie Hughes, Executive Director with the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts.
• For me, there are people listed out, as you said, the Conservancy Districts or Soil and Water Conservation
• conservation district.
• Districts, Forestal and Water Conservation Districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here on behalf of the Lost Pines Groundwater Conservation District.
• It is also aligned with the conservation efforts of the Nature Conservancy and our collaborative work
• It is also aligned with the conservation efforts of the Nature Conservancy and our collaborative work
• I'm an attorney representing groundwater conservation districts.
• Alan Day, Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District, General Manager.

Summary: The committee met with limited attendance at first, then took up a series of water, agriculture, and rural affairs measures. HB 3898 would allow the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects in certain border counties and related nonprofit suppliers even if the projects are not in the state water plan. Supporters said it is needed to address severe water shortages in places like Webb County and to support future planning; opponents, including the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, argued it bypasses the regional and state water planning process. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 5339, which would create a higher-education grant program for regenerative agriculture research. A rancher testified that regenerative methods improved soil health, water retention, and farm viability, while a senator noted existing university research but said better coordination could help. Public testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 1523, a temporary prohibition on TCEQ issuing Austin a Class 5 injection well permit for an aquifer storage and recovery project in Bastrop and Lee counties until December 2027. Local officials from Bastrop supported the pause, citing unanswered questions about water treatment, recovery rates, and impacts on the aquifer, while Austin Water opposed the substitute, saying the project is central to its long-term water plan and that stakeholder talks were already underway. TCEQ explained its ASR permitting process and said public participation is possible but not always used in the current authorization process. The bill was left pending. HB 5659, concerning the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and requiring majority city-council approval before certain water sales or interbasin transfers, drew testimony from district officials who said the change could interfere with existing contracts and district authority, but the chair emphasized the need for local buy-in and said the stakeholders had reached a workable compromise; testimony was closed and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 1690, which would expand notice requirements for groundwater export permits so neighboring landowners and potentially affected aquifer areas are informed by certified mail and publication. The sponsor tied the bill to impacts from the Vista Ridge project, and no one testified against it; it was left pending. HB 3333 would prohibit TCEQ from issuing new wastewater discharge permits directly into the Devils River in Val Verde County. The sponsor and a conservation witness said the bill protects one of Texas’s most pristine rivers and reflects a local stakeholder agreement, while TCEQ said it can ensure water quality but acknowledged the river’s unique sensitivity; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HCR 108 urging continuation of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement, with supporters warning of major Texas job and consumer-price impacts if it ends, and HCR 76 urging federal action on imported shrimp, citing public health and industry concerns; both were left pending. Additional measures heard and left pending included HB 4158 on compensation for Texana Groundwater Conservation District directors, HB 654 creating a dismissal path for certain first-time deer hunting violations after self-reporting and hunter education, HB 4530 requiring Texas Water Development Board review of groundwater rights placed in the Texas Water Trust, HB 2128 directing a study of rural versus urban firefighting and rescue disparities, and HB 278 requiring groundwater districts and management areas to track progress toward desired future conditions over shorter intervals. On HB 278, witnesses split over whether the bill’s interim tracking would improve accountability or create new triggers that could be used against local districts, but no final vote was taken and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad to be here to talk about House File 1066, the Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill
• In closing, I'd like to thank the Soil and Water Conservation districts across the state for your work
• on their mission of conservation on their mission of conservation implementation<00:03:09.840>
• <00:03:24.159> districts Soil and Water Conservation districts Soil and Water Conservation
• Our soil and water conservation districts do wonderful work.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1066, a Soil and Water Conservation District funding bill. An author’s amendment, 66A1, was offered and adopted by voice vote, putting the bill in the form preferred by the author. The amendment and bill discussion centered on changing the state aid level for SWCDs, with the bill as amended described as eliminating a scheduled reduction in funding and instead increasing the annual appropriation to $22 million. Representative Ryer explained that SWCDs are long-standing, locally elected conservation entities that help preserve soil and water quality, support farmers and homeowners, and do not have levy authority. He said the funding level was based on a bottom-up assessment of district needs and was intended to help districts maintain staffing and address local problems early. Sheila Vany of the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts testified in support, saying the aid has been a major improvement in SWCD funding and describing district work such as lakeshore stabilization, cover crops, nutrient management, lake monitoring, rain gardens, and irrigation guidance. The chair noted the voluntary nature of SWCD work with willing landowners and expressed support for the bill. No opposition testimony was presented, and no department testimony was offered. The committee then laid House File 1066, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• of our conservation of our conservation districts<01:06:53.160> it<01:06:53.279> would
• programs for the County Conservation programs for the County Conservation districts<01:08:30.239
• Moose plates also go to the conservation Moose plates also go to the conservation programs<01:08
• Hampshire State conservation Hampshire State conservation committee<01:25:42.719> and<01:
• :23.679> of<01:27:23.760> conservation Hampshire Association of conservation Hampshire

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you ultimately add the beauty of conservation with the growth in need of housing?
• And so serving on the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, I've done it before.
• management of species is part of conservation.
• Stacking the deck against conservation.
• I feel that that fundamentally goes against the conservation mission of FWC.

Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the only way we can get it is by conserving it.
• To conserve is to redo our infrastructure.
• The only way we can fix it is by conserving.
• and getting water conserved for them.
• We need to conserve it locally.

Bills: SB 7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.
• All right, so our first bill, which is Bill 1609 by Senator Harckham: an act to amend the Conservation
• Law, in relation to requiring the Department of Environmental Conservation, after consultation with
• All right, so our first bill, which is Bill 1609 by Senator Harckham: an act to amend the Conservation
• Law, in relation to requiring the Department of Environmental Conservation, after consultation with

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation met with a quorum via voting sheets and considered a 12-bill agenda focused on water quality, stormwater reporting, algal bloom prevention, safe drinking water infrastructure, coastal and marine protection, housing and land-use, animal welfare, and solar access. Chair Pete Harckham noted several members were delayed by weather and other committee meetings, and welcomed participating senators and staff. Most bills were described as measures the committee had seen before, with little debate beyond motions and seconds. Bills approved included Harckham’s stormwater expenditure report bill (S.1609), a municipal water-quality assistance bill for lake associations (S.1733), the harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act (S.1833A), the safe water and infrastructure action program (S.1850A), the Whale Awareness Act (S.2292B), inland waterways additions for waterfront revitalization (S.2646), the Sustainable Affordable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act (S.3492A), a bill on traveling animal acts (S.3629A), the Big Five African Trophies Act (S.5014), marine and coastal debris prevention (S.6307), and whale strike protection policies for large vessels (S.7718A). The solar bill (S.6570A), the Solar for Affordable Power Act, was also approved by the committee but was referred to the Energy Committee rather than advanced on the environmental conservation calendar. Several measures were referred to the Finance Committee, including the stormwater report bill, the lake association water-quality bill, the harmful algal bloom bill, and the safe water and infrastructure bill. Other bills were advanced to the calendar, and the meeting concluded without recorded opposition on most items, aside from a few members voting without recommendation on some bills.