Video & Transcript Research : 'Clean Water Council'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources (Part I) May 21st, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas, a nonprofit advocate for clean air and water and
  • The way to handle this is to start cleaning up and reusing the produced water.
  • Texas water is growing alfalfa. We've cleaned up produced water.
  • But if the water really is, there's so much confidence that it has been cleaned up and will cause no
  • But if the water really is, there's so much confidence that has been cleaned up and will cause no harm
Summary: The committee heard and laid out several natural resources and environmental bills, with testimony focused on balancing development, public health, wildlife protection, and regulatory authority. SB 3074 would allow the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to communicate in writing with TCEQ about matters before the commission, with safeguards requiring the communication to be part of the record and allowing other parties to respond; a committee substitute narrowed it to written communications about permits only, limited legislator communications to facilities in their districts, and adjusted conflict-of-interest rules. HB 3556, as substituted, would require notice to Texas Parks and Wildlife for certain very tall structures in specified coastal counties and give TPWD a limited right to seek injunctive relief if mitigation is insufficient to prevent material harm to migratory birds; supporters said it would address ignored wildlife recommendations and protect key flyways, while opponents argued the bill was too broad, singled out wind energy, and gave one agency unusually strong enforcement power. HB 49 would expand liability protections for produced-water recycling and beneficial use; supporters said it would encourage reuse of a large wastewater stream and reduce disposal pressures, while opponents warned it could shield operators from responsibility before the science and standards are mature. HB 4413 would authorize mass-balance accounting for renewable biomass feedstocks, and HB 3866 would regulate intermediate bulk container recycling facilities near homes, with a committee substitute adding a grandfather clause and making implementation contingent on funding. The committee also heard bills affecting air and energy regulation. HB 5033 would create a trigger to end vehicle emissions inspections if federal law changes to allow it; the substitute removed a Supreme Court-related trigger, and the lone public witness opposed the bill, warning it would worsen air quality and harm nonattainment areas. HB 4112 would clarify that on-site storage of high-level radioactive waste is allowed at current and future nuclear reactors and university research reactors only for waste generated at that site; the substitute clarified the language and removed an inoperative permit condition, and witnesses from environmental and nuclear groups said the clarification was needed to prevent unintended restrictions while avoiding off-site storage. HB 2440 would prohibit state agencies from using air-quality rules to ban or restrict vehicles based on energy source, including internal combustion vehicles, and no public testimony was offered. HB 4271 would require TCEQ to hold public meetings on request for composting facility authorizations; the substitute limited the requirement to future applications and was presented as a transparency measure after a denied local request and extensive public comments. Additional bills addressed landowner protections and Railroad Commission oversight. HB 3619 would require the Railroad Commission to restore surface land after plugging or replugging operations and indemnify landowners from damages tied to authorized entry; a witness supported the bill but urged fixing a separate statutory loophole that he said allowed operators to enter unrelated tracts without notice. HB 4042 would extend Railroad Commission pipeline safety and fee provisions to propane distribution systems by removing the word “natural” from the relevant definitions. HB 4426 would set a 10-year permit term for commercial surface disposal facilities, allow renewal based on compliance history, and require renewal applications 120 days before expiration. The committee took no votes because a quorum was not initially present, and each bill was left pending after testimony and discussion.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/3/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have already invested $15 million to replace portions of our city clean and drinking water systems
  • have access to clean, safe drinking water.
  • <00:58:31.280> Without<00:58:31.680> a clean, safe drinking water.
  • Without a clean, safe drinking water.
  • Your support will help us provide safe, clean water and reliable infrastructure for our residents and
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Feb 4th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Fresh, clear water feeds and cools the Oklawaha River.
  • Every bit of Florida's water quality and water quantity issues are man-made, and they're going to continue
  • I've heard someone say the water management study says that water could be harvested straight from the
  • Water wars are real. Wells in West Putnam are drying up right now.
  • money to put water all over this county.
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS/SB 796, which would create Veterinary Professional Associates as a new supervised veterinary role, expand telehealth prescription timeframes, and set training and scope limits. Supporters said it would improve access to care, lower costs, and create a career path, while opponents argued the proposal lacked a clear regulatory framework, could create liability and federal-law conflicts, and would not address the real shortage in rural large-animal practice. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably. Members also heard and favorably reported SB 1682 on local authority over derelict and abandoned vessels, CS/SB 1028 on a commercial Citizens clearinghouse for property insurance, SB 394 on exempting certain reinsurance underwriting managers from licensing, SB 636 on beach management and erosion designations, CS/SB 546 on public notice for conservation land sales or exchanges, CS/SB 302 on Biscayne Bay nature-based solutions and related coastal resiliency provisions, SB 1050 on pharmacy choice for pet medications, and SB 774 extending workers’ compensation benefits to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental and nervous injuries. Testimony on these bills generally focused on access, regulatory clarity, environmental protection, or workforce support, with some concerns raised on insurance consumer protections and beach-management language. Senator Harrell’s bills were also taken up and reported favorably: CS/SB 480, a major overhaul of state IT governance creating DIGIT and new procurement, reporting, and workforce structures; CS/SB 1230, restricting PFAS-containing firefighting foam and adding testing, inventory, and disposal requirements; and CS/SB 1288, a naming bill designating the Andrew Red Harris Shoal and requiring markers. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on SB 1066 regarding restoration of the Oklawaha/Rodman system, with supporters emphasizing ecological restoration, flood-risk reduction, and economic benefits, and opponents warning about local impacts, water quality, and the loss of a world-class fishery. The transcript ends during testimony on that bill, before final action is shown.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/11/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • , ensuring clean and sustainable water for residents and businesses to come.
  • That is the cleaning water that goes through the backwash.
  • water that goes that is the the cleaning water that goes through<00:36:58.400> the<00:36:58.599
  • these communities have reliable access to safe and clean water for years to come.
  • <01:19:49.960> meet<01:19:50.159> Health clean and reliable water to meet Health clean
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Mar 11th, 2026

Commerce and Small Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:09:00.880> waste<00:09:01.200> disposal<00:09:01.839> janitorial cleaning waste
  • It’s just not a piece of paper. >> I think, in my opinion, I think that would need to be cleaned up.
  • It’s just not a piece of paper. >> I think, in my opinion, I think that would need to be cleaned up.
  • It’s just not a piece of paper. >> I think, in my opinion, I think that would need to be cleaned up.
  • I uh just want to make a brief... >> I think, in my opinion, I think that would need to be cleaned up
Bills: SB279, HB478, SB279, HB478
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Apr 7th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Citizens expect their public water supply systems to provide clean, safe drinking water.
  • It would encourage projects that turn flood water or storm water into a valuable water supply, improving
  • water rights.
  • , water supply, drainage, as well as water users and those who support the water industry.
  • water troughs and our water wells.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Apr 7th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Texans expect their public water supply systems to provide clean, safe drinking water.
  • He could not use their water; he had to use the water from the CCN.
  • We established a Texas Water Bank in 1993 to facilitate the transfer, sale, and lease of water and water
  • and irrigation, water supply, drainage, as well as water users and those that support the water industry
  • get water.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs heard several water-related bills, with testimony focused on drinking water quality, groundwater contamination notice, flood infrastructure funding, water rights conservation, and utility service areas. SB 1662 would limit TCEQ’s advance notice to public water systems to no more than 24 hours before testing after a consumer complaint, to reduce the chance of temporary treatment affecting results. SB 1663 would allow TCEQ to notify private well owners, groundwater conservation districts, and nearby residents by direct means about known groundwater contamination, rather than relying mainly on first-class mail and annual reporting. SB 2124 would move the deadline for publishing the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee’s annual report from April 1 to June 1. Witnesses on the first two bills described long-running water quality problems and delayed notice in their communities and supported the measures. No opposition was recorded, and each bill was left pending for a later vote. The committee also heard SB 1967, which would expand eligibility for Flood Infrastructure Fund financing to multipurpose projects that both reduce flooding and create water supply. Senator Hinojosa and Hidalgo County representatives described the Delta Reclamation Project as a shovel-ready example that would capture flood and drainage water, treat it, and produce new potable supply while also providing detention and flood mitigation. A Sierra Club witness also supported the bill, saying such projects could help manage floodwaters and reduce polluted discharges to bays and estuaries. The bill was left pending. A lengthy and divided discussion followed on SB 1413, which would expand the streamlined expedited release process for landowners seeking removal from a water or sewer CCN in additional counties. Senator Nichols said the bill was a property-rights measure aimed at legacy monopolies and bad actors who use CCNs to hold landowners hostage, while supporters described cases where developers could not get timely service, including fire flow, or were asked to fund infrastructure without reasonable recoupment. Opponents from rural water corporations and utility associations argued the bill would undermine investment in water infrastructure, strand debt, and weaken the return on planned expansion. PUC and TCEQ resource witnesses explained that compensation is handled case by case through appraisal and can include stranded costs, planning, design, construction, and some legal fees, but members noted the statute is unclear and discussed possible committee substitute language. Public testimony was closed with the bill left pending. Later, SB 1624 would allow the Texas Water Trust within the Texas Water Bank to hold donated water rights for conservation purposes and protect them from use-it-or-lose-it cancellation, and SB 863 would address Edwards Aquifer utilities that straddle the aquifer boundary by allowing them to continue using Edwards water within their certificated areas under specified conditions. Both bills were laid out, received no public opposition in the hearing, and were left pending.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 4/9/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Minnesota waters are clean, but it's expensive to do so.
  • Our facility is eligible for clean water loan and a PSIG grant.
  • <01:21:15.440> water Our facility is eligible for clean water Our facility is eligible for
  • clean up existing water weather events, clean up existing water contamination,<01:24:12.720> and<
  • And a project like clean and safe water.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 03-20-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Bills: HB1979
Summary: The committee held an AEN hearing on Friday, March 20, in Room 224 with remote participation streamed live. The first measure, HB 1880 HD3, would prohibit, beginning January 1, 2030, the use or application of pesticides containing 1,3-D (Telone). Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and HAPA, argued that 1,3-D is a probable carcinogen, can drift off target, and poses risks to farm workers, nearby families, children, and vulnerable communities, while safer alternatives exist. Opponents, including the Western Plant Health Association and Dole Food, said the product is federally registered and regulated, is needed for pineapple production, and that banning it could threaten jobs, local food production, and the pineapple industry; Dole also noted a petition signed by 95 employees opposing the bill. The chair recorded 73 in support, seven opposed, and two comments for the measure. The committee then took up HB 1931 HD2, which would establish a state noxious weed coordinator, update the process for designating and managing noxious weeds, allow public proposals to change designations, require notice and reporting, classify weeds into three categories, and strengthen enforcement and penalties. Testimony was generally supportive, with DLNR and DAB submitting support and CGAPS backing the bill as a modernization of outdated 1950s-era statutes, arguing that more flexible administrative rules would better address changing agricultural and invasive species conditions. The measure received 38 supportive testimonies, with no opposition or comments recorded. Because the committee did not have quorum, no final decision was made on the measures. The chair announced that decision-making would be rolled to Wednesday, March 25, at 3:05 p.m. in Room 224, and the hearing adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-WLA-EIG, WLA-AEN-EDT, WLA-AEN, WLA-AEN-PSM Public Hearings 03-20-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh, Water and Land committee same recommendation. And same recommendation for...
  • Same recommendation for water. >> Okay. Members voting on HB 1616 HD2.
  • Uh same recommendation for water and land. >> Okay. And that concludes the Good afternoon.
  • <01:12:14.239> on up and uh Hawaii Catelan's Council on up and uh Hawaii Catelan's Council
  • behalf of the Hawaii Cataman's Council. behalf of the Hawaii Cataman's Council.
Bills: HB1979
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources May 14th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, what this really does is expands the use of the water trust and the water bank.
  • or temporarily put it in the water bank or water trust to help other folks.
  • Um, making the water bank and water trust more flexible will only help the state meet its water needs
  • Uh, my background is in San Antonio Water System, Water Quality division.
  • which potable is clean drinking water.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources May 14th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • put it in the water bank or water trust to help other folks.
  • Making the water bank and water trust more flexible will not only help the state meet its water needs
  • My background is with the San Antonio water system's water quality division.
  • , which means clean drinking water.
  • On testing and licensing, or on water standards? Water standards.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 3rd, 2026 at 09:03 am

House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • But today, I sit here as Vice Chair of Water Trust Board.
  • So The story of water in 2017, our distribution of the Water Trust Board was zero.
  • So, what that does for projects is that the Water Trust Board opens the notice of intents.
  • The Water Trust Board, NMFA, NMFA Oversight, we all get our job completed by December.
  • But what I might add to this is that all the water and wastewater projects that go through the Water
Bills: HM26, HB243, HB109
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, the Centers of Excellence program is an initiative by the Texas Judicial Council to identify
  • The water use tax exemption is a continuation of efforts to save a finite resource in our fresh water
  • This legislation has conserved. approximately 1 trillion gallons of fresh water.
  • The definition includes traditional wastewater, recycled or produced water, as well as brine water from
  • The committee substitute simply makes this a legislative council verdict.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Natural Resources Apr 16th, 2025 at 08:04 am

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • these water rights to the Texas Water Trust.
  • , and the water we save is, again, the cheapest water that we get in this state.
  • Water Plan here shortly.
  • Can't live without water. Can't live without water.
  • Can't live without water. Can't live without water.
Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable. The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending. House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Natural Resources Apr 16th, 2025

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • water and sewer services.
  • within the Texas Water Bank and is administered by the Texas Water Development Board.
  • these water rights to the Texas Water Trust.
  • and the water that we save is, again, the cheapest water that we get in this state.
  • It is our business to work in water. If the water disappears, we don't have a business.