Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas Water Trust was established in 1979 by the legislature as a program within the Texas Water
• trust to support in-stream flows, water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and bay and estuary inflows
• these water rights to the Texas Water Trust.
• There is that PUC and TCEQ and Texas Water Development Board are all involved in our DCP program.
• There is that PUC and TCEQ and Texas Water Development Board are all involved in our DCP program.

Bills: HB4530, HB4931, HB5559, HB5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• water and sewer services.
• Development Board programs.
• The Texas Water Trust was established in 1979 by the legislature as a Representative Romero: program
• To support in-stream flows, water Representative Romero: quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and bay
• these water rights to the Texas Water Trust.

Bills: HB 4530, HB 4931, HB 5559, HB 5560

Keywords: water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• These deficiencies not only compromise water quality but also expose our system to risk that could jeopardize
• In 2019, our city began an aggressive and costly program to replace water and sewer infrastructure.
• In 2019, our city began an aggressive and costly program to replace water and sewer infrastructure.
• and</c> costly program to replace water and costly program to replace water and sewer<01:32:01.360><
• </c> projects the water tower um and water projects the water tower um and water treatment<01:35:45.440

Bills: HF604, HF1972, HF578, HF1951, HF629, HF864, HF874, HF1155, HF884, HF2365, HF643, HF234, HF2655, HF2637, HF2535, HF2530, HF2344, HF584, HF524

Keywords: airport funding, bonds, transportation, capital investment, Karlstad, community center, Breckenridge, state bonds, economic development, HF578, Faribault, River Bend Nature Center, bonding bill, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR grant, nature center, visitor center, environmental education, multicultural center

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll rely on groundwater for this water supply.
• And on establishing the appropriate form and content of the certification.
• feet, the water stays in the impoundment.
• But that water is available.
• We were using recycled water from wastewater plants.

Bills: SB 612, SB 1855, SB 2568, SB 3058

Keywords: SB 612, Texas Water Code, Section 49.2127, conservation and reclamation district, water district, reclamation district, developer fees, pipeline construction, water pipeline, sewer pipeline, associated infrastructure, subdivision infrastructure, cost recovery, fee cap, actual reasonable documented costs, engineering fees, legal fees, inspection fees, infrastructure relocation, utility connections

Transcript Highlights:

• But water quality is suffering. Thank you, members. Any other questions? Yeah, I had a follow-up.
• It's good for water quality and public health and safety in this bill, but it's... the toddlers falling
• I don't understand them, but it helps better the quality of water protection for the consumer.
• resources, which include air quality, water safety, and the regulation of hazardous waste.
• Project Program, or SEP program.

Bills: HB456, HB482, HB1463, HB1682, HB1949, HB5549, SB763

Keywords: translation, environmental quality, complaints, accessibility, multilingual, TCEQ, environmental justice, environmental complaints, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, language access, public information, Texas Commission, multilingual access, administrative actions, environmental regulations, state representatives, state senators, penalty notice, Water Code, legislative notification

Transcript Highlights:

• Talking with the Secretary of Agriculture at this time, they just didn't want to run this section of
• They pretty much know what the Department of Agriculture requires and wants them to do.
• Right now, the Department of Agriculture licenses scrap dealers.
• The Department of Agriculture would like to get rid of it.
• the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

Bills: HB2975, HB3405, HB3406, HB3728, HB3902, HB3977

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• It has exceptionally high water quality and is of ecological importance.
• quality.
• So it's impossible to overstate the importance of the water quality for this short 27-mile stretch of
• water.
• Beverage producers will oversee the program, set quality standards, build a return network, and manage

Bills: HB1730, HB1823, HB2048, HB2266, HB2440, HB3333, HB4086, HB4271, HB4413, HB4839, HB4841, HB5151

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had bills the past five years to address the deteriorating water quality of Rush Lake, Rush Creek
• Northern Township bears a unique responsibility for water quality that impacts our entire state and beyond
• Lafayette is doing their part to address these water quality issues, but they need our help.
• We are talking about water quality issues, as you can see in the handout, in a representative sample
• </c><00:59:34.520><c> quality</c><00:59:34.960><c> issues</c> are talking about water quality issues

Bills: HF343, HF446, HF448, HF674, HF811, HF832, HF1661, HF1528, HF1536, HF1541, HF1670, HF1438, HF1714, HF1748, HF1835, HF1904, HF1929, HF1942

Keywords: HF343, Chisago County, Shorewood Park Sanitary Sewer District, Rush Lake, sewer extension, wastewater infrastructure, sanitary sewer, treatment pond, sewage treatment, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, Public Facilities Authority, local infrastructure, municipal utilities, water quality, sanitation, bond proceeds fund, Minnesota bonding, HF446

Transcript Highlights:

• in Texas power grids leaving at least 3.5 million Texans without electricity and causing widespread water
• At least 75 to 85 percent of them are caused by electrical infrastructure on water.
• Programs that align with the geography and the weather patterns of their geographic region.
• And they have a very good program.
• The Texas Interoperability Communications Coalition, by growing programs like TIRIS in Kansas.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• You have a lot of sunshine you also don't have a lot of water right so solar is is a good energy source
• that does doesn't rely on it doesn't require as much water as other energy sources to deploy correct
• Nothing in your bill prevents El Paso Electric from having a more aggressive net metering program, does
• you think it would be helpful if he knew the kinds of plans you all have in place, the kinds of programs
• disagreeing with your bill when they had plenty of time to work with you over I've got a I've got a The water

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, Senate Water Committee on Agricultural, Water, Rural Affairs, come to order.
• Water district will cooperate, which is most of the water districts and irrigation district.
• Uh, I lead the water program for Environmental Defense Fund here in Texas.
• The Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program allows landowners to voluntarily protect their agricultural
• validate the results of the water loss audits and submit water loss mitigation plans.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Summary: The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several other states have successfully implemented similar programs.
• We have a contingency rider in the budget for $2.5 million in GR to start this program.
• Permits Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, testifying on the bill.
• One thing I do want to note, quick programming note, sorry, Ron, with next...
• So just a quick programming note for your scheduling purposes.

Bills: HB573, HB1499, HB1768, HB3071, HB3249, HB3866, HB4112

Keywords: environmental enforcement, legislative oversight, inspection, concrete plants, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, environmental product declaration, grant program, ready-mixed concrete, manufacturers, sustainability, concrete plant, concrete batch plant, wet batching, dry batching, central mixing, standard permit, TCEQ, environmental regulation, air quality, construction permit

Transcript Highlights:

• Paid Leave program why the Minnesota Paid Leave program would<00:01:44.000><c> include</c> would include
• I want to be part of the Minnesota paid leave program.
• The pilot program will be based at Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minnesota.
• The pilot program will be based at Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minnesota.
• The pilot program will be based at Lakewood Health System in Staples, Minnesota.

Bills: HF3843, HF3597, HF4003, HF3167, HF4193

Keywords: workforce development, appropriations, nonprofit organizations, employment services, state funding, paid leave, S corporations, employment law, exemptions, Minnesota Statutes, cancer, healthcare, appropriation, Rural Cancer Institute, Minnesota clinicians, pilot program, nursing, education, University of Minnesota, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• It was completely watered down. He worked with the League of Minnesota Cities.
• main</c> add a second water tower and water main add a second water tower and water main loop. loop.
• We'll own and operate the water system within the guidelines of the Minnesota Department of Health.
• ,</c><00:40:27.400><c> agriculture,</c><00:40:28.160><c> forestry,</c> focus on water, agriculture, forestry
• , focus on water, agriculture, forestry, built<00:40:29.400><c> environment,</c><00:40:30.120><c> and

Bills: HF4470, HF2418, HF3417, HF3365, HF3463

Keywords: HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• water quality in our preserve soil and water quality in our lands<00:04:56.360><c> lakes</c><00:04:56.759
• quality in Minnesota.
• ><c> and</c><00:46:59.200><c> we</c> and water quality in Minnesota and we and water quality in Minnesota
• </c><00:58:33.720><c> site</c> certification programs too that set site certification programs too that
• </c> water erosion over our harsh Minnesota water erosion over our harsh Minnesota winters<01:13:48.320

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco

Transcript Highlights:

• agricultural communities, our small communities up there are committed to... include water, water quality
• we've been consulted many times as the board has developed their water quality and storage program.
• we've been consulted many times as the board has developed their water quality and storage program.
• we've been consulted many times as the board has developed their water quality and storage program.
• we've been consulted many times as the board has developed their water quality and storage program.

Bills: HF2080, HF356, HF1968, HF228, HF569, HF603, HF692, HF1455, HF2224, HF1361

Keywords: contamination, water supply, municipal bonds, environmental mitigation, city funding, Sauk Rapids, PFAS contamination, drinking water, pollution control, bond issuance, Cokato, capital investment, school infrastructure, state bonds, HF228, Lakes Area Police Commission, Lindstrom, Chisago City, regional training facility, public safety facility

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Water Committee on Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs comes to order. Call the roll.
• they replaced the water well, but we were out of water for about almost a year.
• I lead the water program for the Environmental Defense Fund here in Texas.
• The Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program allows landowners to voluntarily protect their agricultural
• working agricultural lands.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• agriculture and agricultural technology.
• First of all, Kitayashi and education DOE. of agriculture and agricultural of agriculture and agricultural
• So, wouldn't this program fall within the purview of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
• </c> they're doing their agriculture? they're doing their agriculture?
• </c> to water plants come to without water. to water plants come to without water.

Bills: SB2706, SB2320

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• HF 632 advances our efforts to protect and enhance wildlife habitat and water quality by improving fairness
• Those with agricultural lands who are enrolled in agricultural tax programs face compounded financial
• > agricultural</c><00:33:57.279><c> tax</c><00:33:57.919><c> of</c><00:33:58.080><c> programs</c> enrolled
• in agricultural tax of programs enrolled in agricultural tax of programs face<00:33:59.240><c> compounded
• Minnesota advocates for policies and programs that improve the well-being of children and increase the

Bills: HF1698, HF632, HF1352, HF2197, HF618, HF1248, HF1697

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll probably be able to understand very quickly, soon, what is water, what's not water, and what
• To control discharges of pollutants to surface waters including treated produced water in the oil and
• Produced water is waste water generated during oil and gas extraction and is most commonly.
• The uses of treated produced water must meet water quality standards established by the Commission to
• Quality Act. standards, which are surface water quality standards.

Bills: SB766, SB290, SB494, SB1145

Keywords: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water regulation, environmental protection, pesticide management, natural resources, LP-gas, property owner notice, gas installations, safety notification, petroleum theft, task force, oil and gas, law enforcement, economic impact, environmental regulation, water permits, water quality, land application, 1185, senate