Transcript Highlights:

• With President Trump in office, I am now optimistic that we will win the war for water.
• This is just the beginning of the war for water.
• I yield back. water from the Colorado River. This is a water from the Colorado River.
• </c> just the beginning of the war for water. just the beginning of the war for water.
• the much needed water to South Texas.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's been our experience, Senator Waters. Experience, Senator Waters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• thank you Mr experience sen Waters thank you Mr chairman<00:54:44.960><c> um</c><00:54:45.520><c> I<
• districts libraries and fire water districts libraries and fire districts<01:19:42.679><c> these</c>
• </c> you looks like it's my oh under water you looks like it's my oh under water yeah<01:42:52.400><c
• thank you Mr Senators Senator Waters thank you Mr chairman<02:14:35.320><c> and</c><02:14:35.639><c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; So, Senator, you referenced the waters &gt;&gt; So, Senator, you referenced the waters
• Recently, a Supreme Court decision came down about the waters of the U.S. that shifted the waters of
• So, do you have a definition for the waters of Mississippi?
• So, this will be Salt Water South I-10." "All right. I like Salt Waters of Mississippi.
• </c> &gt;&gt; You don't want to drink that water. &gt;&gt; You don't want to drink that water.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 9 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:13:00.000><c> protection</c> building fire and water protection building fire and water protection
• Thank you. protect water quality and sewage protect water quality and sewage disposal.<01:13:21.040><
• The Senate took that audit, watered it down, and made it only active for two years.
• The Senate took that audit, watered it down, and made it only active for two years.
• </c><01:51:00.159><c> it</c> The Senate took that audit, watered it The Senate took that audit, watered

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Waters. There you go. recognize the prime sponsor. recognize the prime sponsor.
• </c><00:41:38.800><c> Senator</c><00:41:39.200><c> Waters.
• Senator Waters continued: What I had envisioned here is choice.
• As Senator Waters pointed out, that might not be financially rational.
• As Senator Waters pointed out, that might not be financially rational.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 651, an act relating to public water and wastewater systems and declaring an emergency.
• Nice to have a water bottle here beside me, sir. Bill 869. Bill 869.
• Nice to have a water bottle here beside me, sir. >> All right. Senator from Taylor. >> Mr.
• act, and it ensures safe drinking water act, and it ensures environmental<04:01:10.399><c> protections
• </c> resolution establishing the water resolution establishing the water resource<05:26:44.000><c> regional

Bills: HB567 , HB776 , HB2 , HB568 , HB619

Keywords: open records, public access, transparency, government accountability, public agency, dental practice, licensing, administrative regulations, dental assistants, supervision, Medicaid, community engagement, healthcare, managed care, eligibility, public assistance, insurance, public adjuster, claim process, contract requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• I just... if you put them under 10 foot of water or 20 foot of water instead of 10 foot of water, they're
• </c> if you put them under 10 foot of water if you put them under 10 foot of water or<00:49:09.599><c
• > 20</c><00:49:09.760><c> foot</c><00:49:10.000><c> of</c><00:49:10.079><c> water</c><00:49:10.319><c
• instead of 10 foot or 20 foot of water instead of 10 foot of<00:49:11.200><c> water,</c><00:49:11.440
• </c> of water, they're still going to drown. of water, they're still going to drown.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's with a firm, Cleveland Waters and Bass.
• > Thank you. >> Um, so, as Representative Davis just said, my name is Jacob Rhodes with Cleveland Waters
• </c><00:12:55.000><c> I'm</c><00:12:55.160><c> an</c> Cleveland Waters and Bass.
• I'm an Cleveland Waters and Bass.
• So, it wasn't just water level in wells.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with a quorum present and approval of the April 17 minutes. The commission then heard a presentation from attorney Jacob Rhodes of Cleveland, Waters and Bass on the history and legal basis of New Hampshire’s timber tax, explaining that timber was historically treated as part of real property, that a 1913 case confirmed that view, and that a 1949 constitutional amendment created a separate timber yield tax to discourage clear-cutting and support forest conservation. He described the tax as a tax on the yield when timber is severed, not an income tax, and noted that towns are reimbursed through a system based on Department of Revenue Administration market data and local reports of cut. Members and guests asked how “yield” is defined, how the timber tax interacts with current use, and whether carbon sequestration could be treated similarly. Testimony explained that current use generally is not affected by harvesting timber, that towns can tax standing timber under RSA 79:5 but rarely do because it is labor-intensive, and that carbon credits might be valued using a similar market-data approach. Several speakers discussed a prior bill drafted with DRA input that would have treated carbon more like timber, but noted it never fully advanced in the General Court and that the version ultimately discussed by the House differed from the earlier DRA-comfortable draft. The discussion also covered whether carbon sequestration agreements are effectively long-term leases or transfers of timber rights, with Rhodes suggesting that 99-year arrangements could be taxable transfers of real property under DRA rules, though he had not reviewed specific agreements. DRA staff said they do not currently have a timber-like survey mechanism for carbon and would likely need access to proprietary market data or a subscription service to build one. No formal vote was taken beyond approving the minutes; the commission appeared to agree to revisit the carbon/timber valuation issue and the draft bill at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would note that we are fortunate to have the prime sponsor of the bill, Senator Waters, present, and
• 00:41:48.800><c> to</c><00:41:48.880><c> offer,</c><00:41:49.200><c> Senator</c><00:41:49.520><c> Waters
• </c> like to offer, Senator Waters? like to offer, Senator Waters?
• </c> I'm Senator David Waters, District 4. I'm Senator David Waters, District 4.
• So that we worked with Senator Waters on the wording of the bill. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a transportation work session and executive session, with the chair explaining the format change to allow fuller discussion and possible expert input before votes. The committee first took up House Bill 209, which would have allowed a new vehicle purchased in the model year or before to be inspected in the second year after purchase. Members said the bill was rendered unnecessary by the broader repeal of vehicle inspections, and the committee voted 16-0 to deem it inexpedient to legislate (ITL), with consent. The same outcome followed for House Bill 212, which would have allowed a 180-day operation waiver when a motor vehicle failed an emissions control test, and House Bill 533, which concerned civilian employees and commercial truck inspections. In both cases, members said the inspection repeal made the bills unnecessary, and in the commercial truck bill there were also concerns that the language did not fit federal requirements and referenced state inspection laws rather than federal ones. Both bills were voted ITL 16-0 and adopted by consent. House Bill 298, dealing with vehicle identification number-related issues and antique vehicle authenticity, also received an ITL recommendation 16-0. Members said the proposal raised fraud concerns and could affect the value and authenticity of antique vehicles, and several said the bill needed more work before any future consideration. The committee then moved to Senate Bill 150, which would define electric vehicle charging stations and establish annual testing fees for the Division of Weights and Measures. That bill drew the most discussion: Representative Sykes described a personal experience with a malfunctioning charging station and a large, unclear bill, arguing that consumer protection regulation is needed. Representative Miller said the fee structure seemed high compared with other inspections and that third-party inspectors were not allowed, though he acknowledged some need for consumer protection. Senator David Watters, the sponsor, said the bill should be improved and suggested a lower annual fee and a fund-based approach to build an inspection program over time. Cheryl, the director of Weights and Measures, testified that the division needs authority, staffing, licensing categories, and expensive test equipment to oversee EV chargers, and that current rules do not adequately cover this emerging technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• Putting in the roads, the water, sewers, it takes a significant amount of time and can be pretty costly
• Putting in uh the<00:03:04.720><c> roads,</c><00:03:05.440><c> the</c><00:03:05.680><c> water,</c><00
• , um it the roads, the water, sewers, um it takes<00:03:08.080><c> a</c><00:03:08.560><c> significant
• </c> brownfield development inside the water brownfield development inside the water than<01:19:33.199
• But, um, I think the first thing is access, and liens are a big problem inside the water.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:03 Roll Call 00:00:08 Discussion of Indiana Residential Infrastructure Fund 00:01:27 Discussion of Affordable Housing Trust Fund 00:33:30 Discussion of Urban Infill 01:12:37 Approval of Minutes from July Meeting 01:39:00 Adjournment 01:39:42, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force heard a presentation from Anita Sanford of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky and Sheri Cybert of Indiana’s Residential Infrastructure Fund about Indiana’s low-interest loan program for local housing infrastructure. They described the program as a voluntary, locally driven model that helps communities finance roads, sewers, sidewalks, traffic lights, turning lanes, and other infrastructure needed for new housing development. Sanford emphasized that infrastructure and regulation are major drivers of housing costs, citing estimates that infrastructure can account for up to 30% of a home’s cost and regulations another 25%, and said the association is studying Kentucky-specific regulatory costs. She also noted that every $1,000 added to new home construction can price out about 2,000 Kentucky households. Cybert explained that Indiana’s program, administered through the Indiana Finance Authority, began in 2023 with $75 million appropriated over two years and has since closed 17 loans totaling $60.7 million, with more than 2,700 projected housing units. The program reserves 70% of funds for rural communities and 30% for urban communities, requires applications from local governments rather than developers, and asks communities to show need through a market study, describe the infrastructure and housing to be built, and provide preliminary engineering plans and a repayment source. She said the loans currently carry an interest rate around 3.5%, reset quarterly, and that the program has generated about $25 million in savings to communities compared with private borrowing. She also described recent Indiana legislative changes that encourage higher density and other zoning reforms, and said a majority of those local ordinance changes must be adopted for an application to be fundable. Members asked about the ordinance requirements, the funding split between rural and urban areas, repayment mechanisms, and whether there were caps on project size. Cybert said repayment is worked out case by case, often through existing or project-specific TIFs, temporary tax agreements, or letters of credit, and that the program has no cap on request size or income/affordability restrictions. She said the largest request funded was $19 million for a 700-unit project. Co-chair Mills and others discussed whether Kentucky could adopt a similar model and what it would cost, while Sanford and Cybert said they were still refining budget estimates. Later, Scott Welch, president of the Homebuilders Association of Kentucky, testified that upfront infrastructure costs are a major barrier in his projects, citing a $1 million pump station and road-widening and utility relocation costs as examples, and said an infrastructure fund would help get projects off the ground.

Transcript Highlights:

• devastated rural areas of North Carolina, delivering supplies ranging from nonperishable food and water
• :11:25.839><c> and</c> ranging from non- perishable food and ranging from non- perishable food and water
• > clothes</c><00:11:27.880><c> and</c><00:11:28.160><c> basic</c><00:11:28.639><c> necessities</c> water
• to clothes and basic necessities water to clothes and basic necessities the<00:11:29.800><c> Shady</
• for several days Mr Speaker I waters for several days Mr Speaker I urge<04:27:26.479><c> support</c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During that time, many mold and water damage claims were filed in Texas, and companies significantly
• So all you’re doing, you’re putting a layer of tape across the seam so that water can’t get through if
• We know that there are a number of water utilities who don’t have good mapping of their facilities.
• “We have spoken with them, specifically on the topic of water utilities.
• Our understanding is that generally most water utilities don’t participate in Texas 811.

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No water Mott. Welcome. All. No snow was a lot of snow. All the clerk will close the role.
• They are long-lived infrastructure like water, sewer, district energy.
• You're using a lot of water to do something.
• There is no loss of water. There are very strict rules on it. I appreciate the question.
• You guys changed that, so that muddied the waters a little bit.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I showed up to swimming on time and water polo every day without a cell phone, so I'm pretty sure
• It's been a pleasure working with you on the water parks and wildlife, Assemblymember [name unclear]
• When one homeowner noticed a small amount of water intrusion, we responded quickly to initiate repairs
• They don't cause water intrusion.
• They don't cause water intrusion.

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the next few years, my water bill will increase over $400 a year, and the city has committed to
• Over the next few years, my water bill will increase over $400 a year, and the city has committed to
• </c><00:49:05.520><c> bill</c> Over the next few years, my water bill Over the next few years, my water
• Reliable water, sewer, streets, and Reliable water, sewer, streets, and public<01:22:18.639><c> facilities
• Much of the water and sewer infrastructure beneath the roadway is more than 100 years old and is well

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Waters moves, Senator Birdell seconds to adopt item 25252. Any further discussion?
• 00:16:26.079><c> Birdell</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Waters moves Senator Birdell &gt;&gt; Senator Waters moves
• Senator Waters. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Senator Waters: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Senator Waters. &gt;&gt; Senator Waters.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted the September 5 minutes and then approved the remaining consent calendar items after removing several bills for separate consideration, including 25-252, 25-248, 25-251, and 25-253. The committee then took up 25-252 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, where members asked about the arts tax credit program, staffing, and volunteer coordination. Department representatives said the program had recently been authorized, forms had been finalized, three of six laid-off staff had been rehired through a federal grant, and the agency was now trying to recruit participants. Members also discussed whether tax-credit-raised funds could count as federal match; the department said they could not, because federal rules require state dollars. The item was adopted. The committee next considered 25-248 from the Department of Safety, which was described as a technical correction moving funds from equipment to hardware and software after consultation with the Department of Administrative Services. A member asked about “buy American” waivers, and the department said it would follow up with more information. The item was adopted. The committee then approved 25-251 from the Department of Administrative Services, which included discussion of ongoing problems with Anthem’s retiree health plan mail-order pharmacy. Department staff said many issues were tied to implementation changes and prescription renewal rules, that some complaints were being resolved through the vendor and the retiree health office, and that the contract would be rebid in the coming year, likely causing further changes. On 25-253 from the Department of Health and Human Services, members questioned the department’s September 5 health alert and whether it diverged from CDC guidance. DHHS said the alert was an annual evidence-based guideline for respiratory virus season and immunizations, largely aligned with CDC recommendations, and that some differences reflected timing and population-specific guidance. The item was adopted. The committee then heard 25-237 from the Department of Justice on the annual litigation fund request. Attorney General John Formela said the request was about $4.3 million, roughly 40% below last year and below the five-year average, with major costs tied to YDC civil and criminal litigation and some DHHS class actions. A member criticized the large increase over the budgeted $350,000 and said the budgeting approach should be corrected in the next cycle. Another member asked about YDC settlement reductions; the attorney general said confidentiality limited specifics, but explained that under the new statute the office had accepted well over half of administrator awards, rejected some, and negotiated lower amounts in others while still resolving most cases. The item remained under discussion at the end of the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe these policies already exist and it did, and again, not to muddy the water here, but there
• I believe these policies already exist and it did, and again, not to muddy the water here, but there
• here but there was some back and water here but there was some back and forth<01:37:27.040><c> about
• That just came up, and I felt like it muddied the water for me. I was looking.
• </c> charter schools which muddies the water charter schools which muddies the water because<01:48:14.639

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the I can help address questions from the Senators<01:40:26.239><c> Senator</c><01:40:27.080><c> Waters
• Senator Waters then asked whether the Department had done any evaluation of effectiveness.
• Senator Waters asked whether the Department had done any evaluation of effectiveness.
• Senator Waters then asked whether the Department had done any evaluation of effectiveness.
• Senator Waters asked again about any evaluation of effectiveness that the Department of Education has

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senator Waters with a question. Thank you and thanks, Mike.
• Uh, Senator Waters with a question. Thank you and thanks, Mike.
• I know Senator Waters, you're in Strafford County, too.
• I know Senator Waters, you're Rochester.
• Senator Waters. Motion to move out of consent? So moved. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed?

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through grant making, loans, and advocacy, OHA has supported initiatives that increase access to land, water
• available to grow adequate land or water available to grow any<00:54:52.160><c> meaningful</c><00:54
• Um, but it varies based on water availability, soil type.
• Um, but it varies based on water availability, soil type.
• They couldn't even give me the data on the amount of water used.

Bills: HB1736 , HB1620 , HB1695

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered. The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present. The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.