Video & Transcript : 'Amite River Basin' :
Page 35 of 281
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Our members include river authorities, municipalities, all types of water districts including flood,
- We don't even have updated water availability models for half of the basins in the state, who have all
- That's why they're on rivers and lakes.
- the largest pristine rivers in the state of Texas with a large watershed.
- Our lakes, rivers, streams, and wells are already drying up.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, December 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> ensure that stream flows for our rivers ensure that stream flows for our rivers and<00:13:48.320
- </c> Lakes Basin and for other purposes. Lakes Basin and for other purposes.
- </c> fisheries within the Great Lakes basin. fisheries within the Great Lakes basin.
- </c> it is ancestral to the Pit River tribe. it is ancestral to the Pit River tribe.
- </c> corners into trust for the Pit River corners into trust for the Pit River tribe.<05:30:57.920><c
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 2, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It's similar to other local bills passed in Alachua, Bradford, Hernando, Indian River, Osceola, Pasco
- worth noting is that the reason these are necessary is many municipalities are constrained by their Basin
- So walk us through, does it matter if it's one basin over?
- It does not remove the ability to go out of basin or out of kind.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- develop a shared vision for the future of these parks, which will be similar to the reimagining of Big Basin
- However, they don't fund alternative structures, which we learned from Big Basin.
- I think Big Basin is a great example.
- The park is an integral part of a larger 2,400-acre Tijuana River National Estuary.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/03/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- This includes the railroad grade section that crosses the Range River.
- </c><01:12:39.199><c> That</c> that crosses the Range River. That that crosses the Range River.
- or other rivers that contain rice that people have to navigate or boat on.
- or other rivers that contain rice that people have to navigate or boat on.
- or other rivers that contain rice that people have to navigate or boat on.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #7
Transcript Highlights:
- Arizona Project water that is in an underground storage facility during a shortage on the Colorado River
- Arizona Project water that is in an underground storage facility during a shortage on the Colorado River
- , ...step us through updates and what's been going on with the Colorado River.
- Brenda Berman will be joining us for breakfast and an update on the Colorado River. Wonderful.
- Colorado River. Wonderful. Thank you. Is that everybody? Announcements. Okay, we are adjourned.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others.
Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work.
The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Jan 16th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Environment, Energy & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- This includes the impact of federal dams on our fish runs in the Columbia and Snake Rivers and long-term
- This includes the impact of federal dams on our fish runs in the Columbia and Snake Rivers and long-term
- And I come from the Big River. I reside nearby Goldendale, Washington.
- So my community lives out in the Klickitat County area and close to our longhouses and our river and,
- rivers, fish runs, cultural landscape, or access routes may therefore violate the treaty.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Energy & Technology
Keywords:
nuclear energy, energy strategy, advanced technology, sustainability, state policy, renewable energy, public entities, electric generation, contracting, SB 6010, Washington energy siting, EFSEC, Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, tribal consultation, government-to-government consultation, federally recognized tribes, energy facility siting, RCW, clean energy, alternative energy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- river health.
- The fact that we do see dry river beds is a reflection of the huge... who also rely on Ipswich River
- river health.
- The fact that we do see dry river beds is a reflection of the huge River most certainly is.
- Folks, every day that a dam sits in the river is damage. Fundamental damage to the river.
Summary:
The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination.
Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- water districts—these entities that historically have been responsible for shepherding water from the river
- I'm the water master for Water District 65, and that's in the Payette Basin.
Summary:
The Senate Commerce committee approved the January 22, 2026 minutes and then heard three gubernatorial appointments. Erica Malman of Boise was introduced for the Idaho Personnel Commission; she described her background as a natural resources attorney and law firm managing partner, and senators asked about the challenges and rewards of commission service and her legal practice. Brett Thomas of Twin Falls was reappointed to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board, and Dr. Karen Cabell of Post Falls was appointed to the same board; both briefly outlined their professional backgrounds and service, and the committee indicated it would likely vote on the appointments the following Tuesday.
The committee then considered two DOPL rules dockets. Docket 24-3201-2101 for the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors moved licensing fees into rule, formalized a 60% fee reduction, and removed intern-related fees; it received no public comments and was approved. Docket 24-3950-2101 for the Public Works Contractors Board finalized temporary fee reductions of 16% to 20% and added “not to exceed” language to allow future reductions; it also drew no public comments and was approved effective sine die.
Senate Bill 1221 was presented by Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association and supported by a water master from Water District 65. The bill would change Percy retirement language from “irrigation district” to “irrigation or drainage entity” so seasonal retirees can work up to eight months for certain water entities without triggering penalties, matching how the provision is already applied. The committee heard no opposition and voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation.
The final presentation was an informational briefing from NCCI on Idaho workers’ compensation. Todd Johnson explained NCCI’s role as the state’s rating bureau, described declining claim frequency and generally favorable combined ratios, and noted recent rate decreases, including a 2.5% overall decrease effective January 1, 2026, plus reductions in assigned-risk surcharges. Senators asked about high-risk employers, NCCI’s rating process, and whether it handles claims decisions; Johnson said NCCI sets class-code rate recommendations and does not decide compensability or claims adjustment. The committee adjourned after the presentation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- hyperscalers like a Google or an Amazon. on cloud services, it's the electrification of the Permian Basin
- , which sounds a little counterintuitive. but almost 20% of that new Delta was Because the Permian Basin
- political subdivisions okay So we're not just talking counties, schools, and cities, we're talking river
- like, Senator Perry's got a lot a big water session coming up so I spent a lot of time talking to my river
- You can call the people. with the river authorities lobbyists, because they're spending the time and
Bills:
SCR5 , SCR13 , SB3 , SB6 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB24 , SB35 , SB57 , SB65 , SB112 , SB284 , SB290 , SB388 , SB400 , SB402 , SB412 , SB495 , SB499 , SB502 , SB509 , SB621 , SB706 , SB740 , SB815 , SB842 , SB854 , SB875 , SB893 , SB917 , SB974 , SB1025 , SB1061 , SB1073 , SB1106 , SB1268 , SB1281 , SB1300 , SB1362 , SB1379 , SB1447 , SB1451 , SB1555 , SB1902 , SJR36 , SJR12 , SCR13 , SCR25 , SCR5 , SCR22 , SCR12 , SCR24 , SB495 , SB412 , SB10 , SB18 , SB565 , SB372 , SB842 , SB765 , SB62 , SB19 , SB666 , SB707 , SB888 , SB687 , SB706 , SB847 , SB290 , SB13 , SB1248 , SB740 , SB14 , SB1006 , SB504 , SB917 , SB925 , SB388 , SB1902 , SB1121 , SB995 , SB857 , SB305 , SB296 , SB284 , SB35 , SB6 , SB815 , SB3 , SB1281 , SB1379 , SB1300 , SB1497 , SB1499 , SB1498 , SB1451 , SB1061 , SB15 , SB65 , SB241 , SB304 , SB402 , SB499 , SB621 , SB974 , SB1023 , SB1024 , SB1025 , SB1106 , SB686 , SB112 , SB371 , SB204 , SB400 , SB609 , SB1447 , SB670 , SB502 , SB427 , SB850 , SB854 , SB413 , SB1555 , SB1362 , SB1346 , SB1033 , SB1220 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB987 , SB1539 , SB893 , SB447 , SB875 , SB406 , SB509 , SB985 , SB965 , SB17 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB12 , SB24 , SB57 , SB1194 , SB1253 , SB1215 , SB1532 , SB1268 , SB1302 , SB856 , SB650 , SB583 , SB673 , SB840 , SJR57 , SCR8 , SB213 , SB681 , SB1172 , SB1252 , SB378 , SB610 , SB918 , SB1343 , SB608 , SB487 , SB955 , SB957 , SB988 , SB990 , SB1019 , SB1021 , SB1120 , SB251 , SB958 , SB535 , SB761 , SB1 , SB541 , SB315 , SB379 , SB1018 , SB1737 , SB266 , SB1415 , SB3 , SB6 , SB15 , SB35 , SB290 , SB706 , SB842 , SB917 , SB1281 , SB1451 , SB1902 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB19 , SB388 , SR261 , SR265 , SR276 , SR277 , SR281 , SR286 , SR293 , SCR5 , SCR13 , SB2425 , SB2880 , SB10 , SB12 , SB13 , SB17 , SB18 , SB19 , SB388 , SB412 , SB495 , SB2425 , SB2880
Keywords:
SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame, football coach, school facility naming, education K-16, State Affairs, Texas Legislature, public school tribute, water rights
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- legislature and the PUC continue to work to address long term needs in high growth areas such as the Permian Basin
- Uh, last year, Great River Energy in Minnesota found that one line had an average of 60% more capacity
- my constituents' fence lines, and they put it in a drainage area that will go into the, uh, Devil's River
- PFOS that's believed to be inside of those batteries or the lithium that could end up in the Devil's River
- and mess with that, that ecosystem of Devil's River and, and affect us all.
Bills:
HB 551 , HB 1281 , HB 1378 , HB 1617 , HB 2868 , HB 2881 , HB 3374 , HB 4439 , HB 4726 , HB 4732 , HB 4878 , HB 4914 , HB 4921 , HB 4958 , HB 5200 , HB 5318 , HB 5360 , HB 5402 , HB 5568 , HB 5573 , HB 5623 , HJR 218
Committee:
House State Affairs
Keywords:
political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, international organizations, World Health Organization, jurisdiction, state law, enforcement, United Nations, World Economic Forum, attorney general, Texas attorney general, state sovereignty, legal enforcement, Texas Attorney General, electric energy storage, municipal regulation, county regulation
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 5th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is related to the Shasta and the Smith Rivers up in Northern California.
- Those two rivers are major tributaries to the Klamath, where we have seen fish populations start to be
- The Klamath River watershed tribes. Depend on salmon for both culture and economic well-being.
- Immediately they're getting eaten by a bunch of striper in the river.
- It's not about pushing more water down the river. It's about restoring habitats.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/28/2026 - House Appropriations
House Appropriations Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Stacey Travers for LD 12, West Chandler, South Tempe, Ahwatukee, and part of the Gila River
- that the feasibility study must be conducted in the areas of Heliband, Renegris Plain, the West Salt River
- Valley, and the Little Colorado River Plateau.
- And on page one, it says these basins are estimated to have over 600 million acre-feet of brackish groundwater
- These basins are estimated to have over 600 million acre-feet of brackish groundwater in storage.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met on January 28 and heard several bills, beginning with introductions of members and staff. The committee first considered HB 2056, which would appropriate $100,000 to the Arizona Department of Water Resources for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites. Sponsor Rep. Gail Griffin argued the state should explore use of large brackish groundwater reserves amid Colorado River concerns, while one speaker opposed the bill on aquifer-protection grounds. The committee voted 11-6-1 to give HB 2056 a due pass recommendation.
The committee then took up HB 2798, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Geological Survey to compile data on materials relevant to nuclear energy, including thorium and other non-uranium fuels. Rep. Carbone and others framed the bill as an economic development and national security measure, while opponents questioned whether Arizona has meaningful deposits and whether the state should fund the research. The University of Arizona testified that the Geological Survey could do the work. The committee adopted the Livingston amendment and then approved the bill 11-5-1.
Next, the committee considered HB 2303, which codifies investment standards for the State Treasurer, emphasizing safety and principal preservation and prohibiting speculative investments and insider misuse. The Treasurer’s Office supported the bill, saying it reflects existing policy and ethics rules, though members asked for clearer definitions of “speculative” and how the bill would interact with other statutes. The committee passed HB 2303 15-0 with two members present and one not voting. HB 2344, which directs the Treasurer to manage the local government investment pool internally and allows a third-party contract only for emergency backup, also passed after questions about local control and whether the bill was necessary; the vote was 12-2-3 with one not voting.
The committee later heard HB 2759, a $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Services to partner with an educational institution in Yavapai County for veterans programs. Retired Navy SEAL Chief Richard Rodriguez testified about Embry-Riddle’s veteran population and emergency assistance needs for housing, travel, and equipment, while opponents objected to using state funds for a private institution and argued veterans services should be broader and statewide. The bill received a due pass recommendation 11-6-1. The committee also approved HB 2207, which funds the prison Braille transcription program at $300,000 and was described as a successful rehabilitation and service program, and HB 2224, as amended to $1 million, which funds the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program through SNAP; supporters said it helps families, farmers, and local economies, and the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Travers for LD 12, West Chandler, South Tempe, Ahwatukee, and part of the Gila River Indian
- that the feasibility study must be conducted in the areas of Heliband, Renegris Plain, the West Salt River
- Valley, and the Little Colorado River Plateau.
- And on page one, it says these basins are estimated to have over 600 million acre-feet of brackish...
- These basins are estimated to have over 600 million acre-feet of brackish groundwater in storage.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Keywords:
brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, dementia care, telementoring, healthcare education, rural communities, grant funding, braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 6843 extends the property tax exemption for relief for residents impacted by the atmospheric river
- The atmospheric river-driven flooding at the end of last year devastated a lot of communities around
- I know we've seen terrible flooding like this in the Chehalis Basin, and so I know what a lot of people
Committee:
House Finance
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Mar 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Bill 6843 extends the property tax exemption for relief for residents impacted by the atmospheric river
- The atmospheric river-driven flooding at the end of last year devastated a lot of communities around
- I know we've seen terrible flooding like this in the Chehalis Basin, and so I know what a lot of people
Summary:
House Finance met in executive session on March 2 and reviewed a series of tax and property-tax bills. Staff described measures including removing acreage limits for nonprofit public assembly hall property tax exemptions (ESSB 5252), extending timber tax distributions to certain school districts (SB 5994), expanding housing-related local sales tax uses (SB 6027), updating Department of Revenue tax administration provisions (ESSB 6113), consolidating the state property tax levy and expanding senior/disabled exemptions (ESSB 6162), extending disaster-related property tax relief (SB 6343), rolling back 2025 estate tax changes (SB 6347), adding tribes to the Conservation Futures Program (SB 6097), and extending a hazardous substance tax exemption for agricultural crop protection products (SB 6244). Members also discussed several amendments, including changes to rental assistance, library and school tax treatment, veterans’ income definitions and application assistance, estate-tax exemption and CPI language, and reporting requirements for conservation futures land acquisitions.
The committee adopted some amendments and rejected others. HRA 440 was adopted to allow rental assistance as an eligible use of the local sales tax revenue for all jurisdictions rather than only Snohomish County. On ESSB 6113, the committee adopted the striking amendment H-3718.2 but rejected amendments to exempt investigative services, live presentations for schools and nonprofits, and library-related exemptions. On ESSB 6162, amendments to modernize veterans’ benefit language, require DOR application assistance, and lower the levy rate were all rejected. On SB 6347, the committee adopted an amendment restoring the estate tax exclusion amount to 2.193 million and changing the CPI reference, while the broader bill was later reported out as amended. On SB 6097, an amendment requiring county reporting on conservation futures acquisitions was rejected.
The committee then voted to report several bills out with do pass recommendations: ESSB 5252, SB 5994, ESSB 6027 as amended, ESSB 6113 as amended, ESSB 6162, SB 6343, SB 6097, and SB 6244. SB 6347 was reported out with a do pass as amended recommendation after the adopted amendment. Members generally framed the bills as providing tax relief, clarifying tax administration, supporting housing and schools, or extending existing exemptions, while some members raised concerns about fiscal impact, tax burden shifts, and the need for more accountability or broader policy changes. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- You'll also find reference to the Upper Snake Basin Study, which is moving forward, and that the intention
- You'll also see reference to the Little Wood River Channel and City of Gooding, the Twin Falls Canal
- Priest Lake outlet dam modification system, which also contributed to downstream flows for the Priest River
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 14th, 2026 at 10:04 am
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- have to get that permission to apply to the Water Trust, Colonious Infrastructure, Healthy Soils, River
- But there are also in the Gila Basin, the Mimbres Basin, San Francisco, and other places.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
Summary:
During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it.
House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions.
Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- they have to get that permission to apply to Water Trust, Colonias Infrastructure, Healthy Soils, River
- Um, out of the 700, I would say that more than 50% are in the north, but there are also in the Gila Basin
- , the Mimbres Basin, San Francisco, and other places.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 287, which would create a permanent Health and Human Services Committee. The sponsor argued the state spends about $14.4 billion annually on health and human services and needs a standing committee to better oversee programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, CYFD, hospitals, pharmacy benefit managers, and related issues. Members discussed staffing, start-up costs, and whether the committee would have subpoena power; staff said interim funding exists in the feed bill and additional funding would likely be needed later. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation and changing the effective date, then voted due pass on the amended bill, with several members recorded in opposition.
The committee then considered House Bill 371, as substituted, to create land grant and acequia infrastructure funds financed from remaining severance tax bond capacity. The sponsor and acequia/land grant advocates said the measure would provide a short-term funding source for infrastructure needs such as land acquisition, right-of-way access, ditch cleaning, and repairs, with distributions beginning only after the fund reaches a threshold and subject to limits through 2031. Members asked about bond capacity, the relationship to capital outlay, legislative approval of projects, and whether the bill would reduce reliance on repeated capital requests. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill, with one member in opposition.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 143, which raises fee caps under the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s inspection and grading programs, including egg grading, nursery stock, pesticide, feed, and related services. The department and industry supporters said the caps had been unchanged for decades and that the bill would help fund inspections and staffing without meaningfully affecting consumer prices. After questions about fee administration, consumer impact, and staffing levels, the committee voted do pass.
Finally, the committee discussed House Bill 329, which would create an Energy Affordability and Grid Reliability Council attached to the Public Regulation Commission. The sponsor said the council would study affordability, reliability, grid modernization, and energy options, drawing on experts from state agencies and utilities. Members raised concerns about the bill’s vagueness, lack of term limits and detailed structure, possible duplication with existing agencies, missing representation for rural co-ops, tribes, and nuclear energy, and the funding source. The sponsor said the governor’s office had requested the bill and that funding would come from governor-controlled GROW money, but the committee ultimately rolled the bill for further work and did not adopt the amendment presented that day.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Jun 6th, 2025
Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I think we've got problems in River City. I'd like to see what that looks like.
- It varies by basin, it varies by producer, but in our part of the Permian, might be 62, on average, $62
- somewhere around the mid-60s I, I, I typically because I have some, some, um, direct experience in the basin