Transcript Highlights:

• think it's very prudent, uh, you know, when we look further down the road and hopefully one day the NRC
• purpose of the record, are there currently, uh, any Texas projects that have been permitted by the NRC
• The what, what you, what we see as the biggest challenge with the NRC is efficiency.
• And so you'll see a lot of focus, I think, out of the NRC on that front.
• The NRC has already delegated substantial regulatory authority over fusion devices to the 39 agreement

Bills: HB 14, HB 106, HB 146, HB 267, HB 274, HB 1127, HB 1359, HB 1393, HB 1584, HB 1640, HB 1710, HB 2152, HCR 101, HJR 8, HR 51

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• So many of you are familiar with NRCS. Most of you are, if you're not.
• Yes, Richard Webb, the State Resource Conservationist with NRCS, North Dakota.
• We don't take jurisdiction over wetlands for USDA NRCS.
• Further questions for NRCS. And so it benefits.
• Further questions for NRCS. Madam Chair? Yes, Senator Wanzek. Yeah, Jennifer.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development of light water cooled SMRs undergoes licensing review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC
• development of light water cooled SMRs undergoes licensing review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC
• :16.720> Regulatory<00:33:17.440> Commission<00:33:18.399> or<00:33:18.640> NRC
• <00:33:19.519> and Nuclear Regulatory Commission or NRC and Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• or NRC and planned<00:33:20.240> SMRs<00:33:20.799> in<00:33:21.039> the<00:33:21.200

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Other agencies and organizations such as USDA and NRCS offices, the Northwest Florida Water Management
• So we do the marketing for NRCS. We give a thousand postcards every time we have a meeting.
• We have hurricane assistance that we offer where we have Farm Service Agency, NRCS, and a Farm Bureau
• So contracts done by NRCS or the Office of Ag Water Policy currently share employees, and they can work

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate. Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson. The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the... ...permitting process that defers radiological and reactor safety issues entirely to the NRC
• I mean, that way we start to have a relationship with the NRC.
• becoming an agreement state program with the... ...process of becoming an agreement state program with the NRC
• I think the way to save it here, because the NRC will take on responsibility of controlling all those
• Because the NRC will take on the responsibility of controlling all those things.

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The NRCS has the same goals as the Fish and Wildlife Service: protect wetlands.
• So many of you are familiar with NRCS. Most of you are, if you're not.
• Yes, Richard Webb, the State Resource Conservationist with NRCS, North Dakota.
• We don't take jurisdiction over wetlands for USDA NRCS.
• Further questions for NRCS. Madam Chair? Yes, Senator Wancic.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• the facility, arguing it shifts long-term responsibility for the waste onto the state, and that the NRC
• there's no real end to what temporary is, and so the big question is, what does temporary mean to the NRC
• the federal government needs to figure out a repository, not delegate that massive decision to the NRC
• Circuit decision and say we find that ruling to be an error, then basically it would just mean that the NRC
• anything to add to that, I, I don't know, but I, I do think it's important at least to look at what the NRC

Transcript Highlights:

• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option; the NRCS might have that option.
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option; the NRCS might have that option.
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option; the NRCS might have that option.
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option; the NRCS might have that option.
• here in Minnesota unsubstantiated nrcs here in Minnesota says<00:24:21.000> where<00:24:21.279

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee, the way that the DWP program and NRCS is set up is that you do
• There are eligibility requirements with the EWP program that we're working through with NRCS to...
• With the EWP program that we're working through with NRCS to do our best as we can to ensure, because
• But because EWP has been used so broadly, NRCS and our federal partners are very confident that that
• NRCS and our federal partners are very confident that that can be worked out in a way where it will comply

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• administrative components of pursuing some of this funding are really challenging, particularly for NRCS
• The first here is an NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership, or RCPP, proposal. The U.S.
• Department of Agriculture and NRCS are a leg in the federal partner stool underpinning the Sentinel Landscape
• The second example was another attempt to leverage Department of Defense and NRCS, or federal, resources
• The second example was another attempt to leverage Department of Defense and NRCS, or federal, resources

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're working through, say, for center pivots, and understanding what the EQIP program for NRCS is.
• <01:05:37.520> So um and possibly NRCS on that project.
• So um and possibly NRCS on that project.
• Uh, and then also NRCS EQIP dollars are a big matching program that the sponsors utilize a lot.
• U and then also NRCS equip program.

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• district resources where districts had these reimbursement contract in place either through fdacs or nrcs
• staff, even if they had on to your staff and whether or not they had memorandums of understanding with nrcs
• The ones that typically did a better job for those that have a contract with have tax or nrcs mainly
• no the community know their producers and have that trust and can direct them with fdacs with the nrcs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well, and they, they've done a lot of work there in DC to streamline the regulatory process with NRC
• The NRC has typically been a very precautionary agency.
• So I think there's a belief with everything that's going on at the NRC along with the fact that we already

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture under NRCS.
• Javier Montoya, who is our state for NRCS, the last several years, he's like, Debbie, why doesn't the
• Most of what NRCS does is Farm Bill money, is conservation practices.
• Javier Montoya, who is our state for NRCS, the last several years, he's like, Debbie, why doesn't the
• Most of what NRCS does is Farm Bill money, is conservation practices.

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• Enrichment is the sort of key element as to when these NRC regulations are triggered.
• My mill is an NRC facility, like in-situ recovery. And yes, if they are, and if not, who is?
• I think the Senator brought up a really interesting point: is the NRC proposing any rule modifications
• So... not including the NRC. I don't know if you have that. In a general sense, Mr.
• Yes, if there's anything funky going on with the NRC, let us know.

Transcript Highlights:

• management plans are usually done by Department of Environmental Quality and in connection with the NRCS
• connection<00:09:59.680> with in in connection with in in connection with the<00:10:01.680> NRCS
• <00:10:02.480> and<00:10:02.720> NRCS's the NRCS and NRCS's the NRCS and NRCS's have

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a bill codifying herd-share/custom slaughter practices for small livestock producers. The sponsor proposed amending the bill to change “sale and/or purchase” to “deposit” and to allow pricing by live weight, dressed weight, or final weight. Members raised concerns that allowing payment by dressed weight could trigger federal USDA inspection requirements and conflict with existing federal rules. After discussion, the committee agreed to keep only the first change, striking “purchase” and inserting “deposit,” and to leave the weight-pricing language unchanged. The sponsor then withdrew the broader amendment, and the bill was reported out with a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee next took up a bill authorizing Mississippi State University Extension to assist poultry farmers with management plans, citing delays caused by short staffing at NRCS and DEQ. Members asked whether the extension service was comfortable with the role and were told the assistance would be voluntary and not mandatory. The bill was reported out on a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee also approved a bill to allow crawfish farms to be licensed, and a bill on district livestock shows that would let the northeast district show be held at any facility within the county rather than only at the Verona livestock center, which the sponsor said was no longer suitable for the children involved. The committee then considered a meat-labeling bill making technical amendments to last year’s law on cultured meat and related products. After an initial vote was set aside because of a communications problem, the committee reconsidered the bill and adopted an amendment changing a funding reference from “special” to “general fund.” The bill was then reported out as amended. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2631, creating a voluntary Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to protect grain producers if elevators or buyers fail financially. The sponsor said the program would be funded by a per-bushel assessment, capped at $25 million, with possible state seed money still under discussion. Members asked about the source of any additional funds and the history of recent grain failures, and the bill was then moved forward on a title-sufficient do-pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really going to be out of our hands because it's going to be the NRC.
• My understanding is that Natura has already received a permit from the NRC. Is that correct?
• case, if the nuclear partnership were to fall apart, if the nuclear company were to go away, their NRC
• There are proposed rules by the NRC, but none have been finalized for issuance of permits for these facilities
• There are proposed rules by the NRC, but none have been finalized for issuance of permits for these facilities

Bills: HB132, HB 11, HB14, HB132, HB1584, HB1606, HB5061, HB 1041, HB2286

Keywords: nuclear energy, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, energy policy, regulation repeal, state energy strategy, licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, HB 132, Texas Government Code Chapter 418, Public Information Act, confidential records, homeland security, foreign adversary, terrorism

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option, NRCS might have that option, so our
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option, NRCS might have that option, so our
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option, NRCS might have that option, so our
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option, NRCS might have that option, so our
• The Soil and Water Conservation District might have that option, NRCS might have that option, so our

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It took us, it, it took NRC. 7 years to issue a permit.
• You know, work with the federal government with BLM or whether it's broader DOI or NRC, etc. um.
• Hey, NRC, could we get the permit? And they, they say, yes, of course, and 7 years goes by.
• And or if it's just out of reach, and it's just the NRC has to do something, or the state land, you know

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the good news about fusion is that the NRC has already regulated fusion under, I think, Title
• There's been some press releases from the Trump administration about trying to accelerate the NRC, you
• They have to get licensed here by the NRC.

Bills: HB2809

Keywords: cybersecurity, post-quantum encryption, CMMC 2.0, state agencies, data protection, US-based vendors, 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology heard two informational presentations before taking up its only bill, HB 2809. The first presentation, from the University of Arizona, focused on fusion energy research and commercialization. The presenter described fusion as a clean, safe, long-term energy source with major potential for Arizona, emphasized growing U.S. and Chinese investment in the field, and argued that Arizona could become a hub for fusion supply chains, talent, and deployment. Members asked about timelines, regulation, and how fusion might compare with small modular reactors and other energy sources; the presenter said fusion could be commercially deployable in roughly 12 to 15 years if public-private investment continues. The second presentation, from XRDNA, described a spatial-temporal addressing system for physical objects and events, aimed at improving coordination across space, infrastructure, logistics, and defense. The company said it is testing with Space Force and launch providers, uses AI provenance tools, and sees its main near-term use case in logistics and space operations. HB 2809 would require state agencies handling sensitive data, including elections, public safety, benefits, finance, and infrastructure information, to implement post-quantum encryption meeting or exceeding CMMC 2.0 validation, using a U.S.-based vendor and U.S.-developed, manufactured, or maintained components. An amendment clarified that agencies would not be required to connect offline systems to the internet to install encryption, and that agencies could use offline methods such as removable media. The sponsor argued the bill is needed because Arizona’s legacy systems are vulnerable, cited prior cyber incidents and audit findings, and said the bill would secure data even on older systems while keeping the encryption key with the Auditor General. Members generally supported the concept but raised questions about implementation, costs, the Auditor General’s role, and the need for more stakeholder input. No one signed in opposition; the Secretary of State’s office was noted as neutral. The committee adopted the Pingarelli amendment and then passed HB 2809 as amended on a 9-0 vote, giving it a due pass recommendation. Several members explained their yes votes as support for the bill’s goal while emphasizing the need for careful implementation and broader discussion. The meeting then adjourned.