Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 685 keeps a municipality from adopting an increased rate for water or sewer utility service
• exemption that is higher than the rate established for other entities that receive comparable utility service
• If the retail water utility cannot provide that area with reliable service, consequently any assets within
• Retail water utilities must plan 20 to 30 years in advance to provide sufficient service to growing areas
• Relating to the certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water service in an area of

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 685 prevents a municipality from increasing the rate for water or sewer utility service on
• Retail water utilities must plan 20 to 30... years in advance to provide sufficient service to growing
• Members, pollinators are a keystone species that play a crucial role. the ecosystem services that are
• Relating to rates established by municipalities for water or sewer services for certain entities by Representative
• Relating to the certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water and sewer service in

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Bills: HB387, HB387

Keywords: sales tax, food taxation, local government, financial growth, tax reduction, water recreation, public use, water bodies, sewer commissions, public interest, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically, this would be to try to collect grants for brain and memory care services for the residents
• takes into account stakeholder feedback and does the following: it removes the broadband internet service
• They are connected to municipal water and sewer systems and include amenities often seen in conventional
• with front and back lawns, well-maintained streets and common areas, police and other emergency services
• The show-up chairman, that's service, right? It's fast. Okay. It's impressive.

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:59.400> and Rockford with engineering services and Rockford with engineering services
• Our plan is to install water and sewer Our plan is to install water and sewer mains<00:12:17.800
• engineer<00:20:54.800> for Professional Services, um engineer for Professional Services, um
• , Parkway to the east, water, sewer, Parkway to the east, water, sewer, stormwater<00:40:27.680><
• the sanitary sewer and rehabilitating the sanitary sewer pond<01:06:44.359> system.

Bills: HF4710, HF4055, HF3848, HF3989, HF4599, HF3767, HF3592, HF3575, HF3574, HF3543, HF4606, HF4489, HF3891, HF3438, HF3811, HF3400

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Bills: HF3643, HF3426, HF4222, HF4224

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, environment

Transcript Highlights:

• And longevity and community service. And longevity and community service.
• And this is an their for their services. And this is an their for their services.
• All those services would still policy. All those services would still policy.
• And it service that they provide, right? And it service that they provide, right?
• It's offering a service, mistake that. It's offering a service, mistake that.

Bills: SB 1, HB 500, SB 1, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Service canals voting no. Have all members voted.
• A more robust service. services, such as the Nurse-Family Partnership, and also had some information.
• . services that will support these families.
• You can't name services.
• that are covered, we'll pay those services.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Director from MRY Water and Sewer. What city do you reside in?
• It is not in the Mobile area water and sewer coverage area.
• We service a whole other area. So the individuals who...
• We are strictly revenue generated off water and sewer revenues.
• We're not... ...off water and sewer revenues.

Bills: HB471, HB473

Keywords: water authority, sewer management, fire protection, local governance, board of directors, local officers, water recreation, public access, water bodies, recreational use, water commissions, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've either worked Saturday mornings consistently with my kids, as of recently with my public service
• Thank you for your time and for your public service to our state. Thank you, Mr. Shaver and Ms.
• I'm grateful to be here today in front of a house that set targets that will maintain needed services
• We can use taxes to fund those collective services.
• Committee members, I'm Patricia Magnuson, Director of Business Services for St.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• and water services.
• <00:29:58.399> State sewer and water services without State sewer and water services without
• campus the core sewers an old Wasa drain campus the core sewers an old Wasa drain to<00:46:54.440>
• for questions on the sanitary sewer for questions on the sanitary sewer request<00:47:08.960>
• service.

Bills: HF201, HF217, HF314, HF315, HF406, HF408, HF425, HF426, HF730, HF731, HF652, HF761, HF1079, HF928, HF1017, HF1056, HF1081

Keywords: HF201, Minnesota income tax, tax subtraction, tax deduction, volunteer firefighter, volunteer fire and rescue, emergency responder, ambulance service personnel, EMR, EMS, search and rescue, canine search and rescue, underwater search and rescue, paid-on-call, part-time volunteer, tax relief, state tax law, section 290.0132, drivers license, identification card

Transcript Highlights:

• core academic programs and services core academic programs and services providing<00:24:40.080><
• <00:34:38.440> to your time and for your public service to your time and for your public service
• Universal meals it was Food Service Universal meals it was Food Service workers<00:39:50.119>
• Thank you, Chair. leaving them in the Food Service fund um leaving them in the Food Service fund um and
• We can use taxes to fund those collective services.

Bills: HF51, HF1161, HF2201, HF2786, HF1053

Keywords: HF51, Sibley County, State-Aid Highway 21, capital investment, bonding bill, general obligation bonds, transportation infrastructure, road improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, local infrastructure, county grant, Minnesota Department of Transportation, bond proceeds fund, public works, utility infrastructure, education finance, school district funding, tax base adjustment

Transcript Highlights:

• We refer to the Reading sewer service district, and then we've been trying to find a solution ever since
• We refer to the Reading sewer service district, and then we've been trying to find a solution ever since
• We refer to the Reading sewer service district, and then we've been trying to find a solution ever since
• we refer to the readings uh sewer we refer to the readings uh sewer service<00:31:14.159> district
• sewer district.

Bills: HF3700, HF3982, HF3927, HF3933, HF3949, HF4238, HF4275, HF4476, HF4504

Keywords: Duluth, Lake Superior Zoo, capital improvements, funding, bonds, appropriations, capital investment, port development, grant caps, state assistance, navigation facilities, Dakota County, state bonds, park improvements, infrastructure, transportation, safety, congestion, water infrastructure, bond issuance

Transcript Highlights:

• They will listen to you and give you lip service, but then nothing changes.
• They will listen to you and give you lip service, but then nothing changes.
• They will listen to you and give you lip service, but then nothing changes.
• <00:37:32.880> permanency need of Protective Services permanency need of Protective Services
• Sebert and I am the neighbor Services Sebert and I am the neighbor Services Outreach<01:38:18.480

Bills: HF22, HF45

Keywords: parent's bill of rights, parental rights, minor consent, minors, parents, guardians, education rights, school records, home schooling, charter school, private school, health care consent, medical privacy, patient records, exam room access, biometric data, DNA samples, blood samples, mental health, physical health

Transcript Highlights:

• bills our sewer of 200% to the Sewer bills our sewer bills<00:26:27.320> will<00:26:27.480>
• This included a new water tower, lift stations, water main, sewer main, and storm sewer work.
• That's 23% of our tax levy to be collected in 2025 for debt service we acquired from the last storm sewer
• clean water storm and sanitary services clean water storm and sanitary services sewer<01:31:35.000
• 31:37.800> a sewer services to our residents a sewer services to our residents a fundamental<01

Bills: HF458, HF459, HF461, HF449, HF450, HF965, HF1280, HF612, HF615, HF616, HF622, HF650, HF651, HF1045, HF972, HF851, HF644, HF1050

Keywords: HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Customers of water and sewer services in Texas can be encumbered by payment, payment, payment deadlines
• sewer services.
• So that's a cost of service question.
• services, leaving thousands of Texans behind.
• It clears the path for basic water and sewer services in places that need them.

Bills: HB 1520, HB 1525, HB 1530, HB 1535, HB 2068, HB 2091, HB 2347, HB 2372, HB 2805, HB 2815, HB 2867, HB 3154, HB 3482, HB 3483, HB 3663, HB 3781, HB 3901, HB 3915, HB 4135, HB 4153, HB 4158, HB 4329, HB 4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a cost of service question.
• services, leaving � thousands of Texans behind.
• Most are sewer. But they sit there and they say, well, we pay taxes. We want service.
• It clears a path. basic water and sewer services in places that need them.
• We have ILAs for court services.

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• Coastal Erosion Notices, Water and Sewer Services, Municipal Annexation Notices. and Public Improvement
• Yeah, so that- These disclosures- service water which is owned by the citizens of Texas, if those water
• for their, you know, or waste water service for their water rights.
• Water rights owners aren't assessed by utility districts for water and waste water. service.
• TxDOT has its own municipal separate storm sewer system permit and many subdivision development projects

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alliance uses service as a key strategy in our work developing leaders who foster young people's
• The values of the Youth Council include youth voice, authentic relationships, youth in service, and access
• Families don't have to wait for a school. school to report to us to receive services.
• I know from my school districts that have received those services, they speak very highly of your service
• Thank you so much for your testimony and your service on the board.

Bills: HF1966, HF54, HF2043, HF1171, HF2741

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake