Transcript Highlights:

• Those include addressing how water supply deficits during drought are being reduced and describing the
• First, we need to expand and diversify our water supply portfolio for a drought-prone and growing state
• be flexible in addressing different challenges all across the state, from West Texas, where it's a drought-prone
• I've said before, wastewater funding is a water supply issue, and meeting Texas's water needs is contingent
• especially in economically distressed, uh, areas, but in spaces where we have level 3 or level 4 drought

Bills: SB 7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• That brings more frequent, longer lasting droughts, atmospheric rivers, and what we all have come to
• flexibility for local solutions, making conservation a way of life all the time, not just during drought
• Making conservation a way of life all the time, not just during drought.
• And that's something we plan for through contingencies now since 2020.
• And we have about 4,000 megawatts of contingency resources that we can lean on if that happens.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had the freeze, we've had the drought, we've had flooding.
• During the drought, we installed 752 2,000-gallon tanks for people who had no water.
• And so we have contingency plans in place.
• And so we have contingency plans in place.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Obviously all that is contingent to a certain degree on the Corps of Engineers staying on schedule and
• The deletion of the previous rider nine reflects the deletion of the sunset. contingency.
• We were created in 1957 after a devastating drought, and we still experience drought and flood. to this
• Not only do who we face issues of drought, but we also face issues of floods.
• They continue to say, well, we don't have any water, we're in a drought, we don't have any...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And where we see these notes in the right-hand column, those projects are contingent upon that transfer
• column, those projects are contingent column, those projects are contingent upon<00:52:51.280>
• on the project for a decade, from when it initially was just a, hey, we're experiencing a lot of drought
• on the project for a decade, from when it initially was just a, hey, we're experiencing a lot of drought
• hey we're experiencing a lot of drought hey we're experiencing a lot of drought up<01:00:19.040>

Bills: HB0078, SF0012, SF0013, SF0052, SF0069, SF0070

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year we saw over 84 wildland fires, with a drought that was leading to more summer fires than any
• <00:13:15.040> which<00:13:15.279> was a drought due to the drought which was a drought
• due to the drought which was leading<00:13:15.839> to<00:13:16.399> more<00:13:17.120>
• Um, Section 13A, programs contingent on availability of agency funds.
• on availability of programs contingent on availability of agency<00:24:48.559> funds.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you describe to... what stage four drought means to Corpus Christi and to Texas?
• And I think part of it is because the landscape of South Texas is so drought prone.
• We've been discussing drought.
• And Toledo Bend not used, backing it up, so we're drought-proof in the Lower Sabine.
• If we're hit by a long severe drought in the 2050s.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But before we describe our new water treatment plant, let me provide an overview of the ongoing drought
• And I think part of it is, is because the landscape of South Texas is so drought prone.
• We've been discussing drought.
• We just came off of a two-year drought.
• Association was formed, uh, in 2011 in reference to the drought of 2011.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right, you all have drought as a theme on your agenda today. But it's more than drought.
• The drought is a consistent pressure, constant pressure.
• Even before the fires and floods, we were in a grip of long-term drought.
• Drought, fire, and flood are no longer separate events in Las Vegas.
• Our team has worked tirelessly to keep the water flowing through flood, fire, and drought.

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• Take it out of contingency, right? Isn't that tough. All right.
• Take it out of contingency, right? Isn't that tough. All right.
• Take it out of contingency, right? Isn't that tough. All right.
• Take it out of contingency, right? Isn't that tough. All right.
• And it goes out as a public health order from there because of the drought.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of a drought and we still are.
• We all saw the maps earlier today in a 1930-style drought.
• We all saw the maps earlier today in a 1930-style drought.
• And then we also, you know, you have some contingency money in a contract.
• So we would have to get into a drought that's even more severe than the 1930s drought before we even

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is providing essential funding for habitat and water supply projects that are already helping with drought
• interest of brevity, just going to echo the comments of Aqua with regards to the $25 million in contingent

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• assistance to low- and moderate-income households with domestic wells in areas recently impacted by drought
• We don't control where drought is.
• And I would say that my county has regularly declared droughts.
• fact, as I look up and down the coast, and yes, believe me, that many coastal counties do declare droughts
• very partially meet a serious unmet need that is going to become more serious if the projections on drought

Summary: The Emergency Board approved a series of consent federal grant applications from the Natural Resources and Public Safety subcommittees, along with several budget and position requests. The board approved grant applications for parks, transportation, judicial, emergency management, higher education, school nutrition, and other programs, including retroactive approvals where deadlines had passed. One member objected to the Natural Resources consent grants over concerns about future funding needs, but the motion still passed. The board also approved a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, including digital privacy protections, circuit court security, and a statewide facilities assessment. A major discussion centered on Southern Oregon University’s financial stability. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission reported on SOU’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and projected cash shortfall. The subcommittee recommended, and the board approved, allocating $7.5 million from the special appropriation for short-term stability, with a required update at the September 2026 Emergency Board meeting and a future request for the remaining funds. Members debated the broader crisis in higher education, with several saying SOU’s situation reflects systemwide enrollment and funding pressures and that long-term restructuring will be needed. The board also approved an AmeriCorps volunteer generation grant, an apprenticeship expansion grant, and a Department of Education nutrition equipment grant. In public safety, it approved funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a statewide evacuation planning tool, and a juvenile justice information system modernization report, while requiring a follow-up viability report. The Department of Justice received approval for additional antitrust positions and expenditure limitation, though several members raised concerns about the funding structure and incentives tied to settlement revenues; the motion passed despite objections. In natural resources, the board approved funding for the Water Resources Department’s well abandonment, repair and replacement grants, an assistant water master position in Washington County, groundwater data collection in the Lower Umatilla Basin, a wetlands remote sensing pilot, and parks-related grant applications for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements. Members generally supported the requests but raised concerns about geographic equity, long-term sustainability, and whether some county responsibilities were being shifted to the state. The meeting also included discussion of a Department of Emergency Management evacuation tool as an urgent wildfire preparedness measure, with members emphasizing its potential to save lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all saw the maps earlier today in a 1930-style drought.
• We all saw the maps earlier today in a 1930-style drought.
• We all saw the maps earlier today in a 1930-style drought.
• And then we also, you know, you have some contingency money in a contract.
• So we would have to get into a drought that's even more severe... ...than the 30-styles drought before

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Bills: SB85, SB263, HB277, HB267, SB288, SB85, SB263, HB277, HB267, SB288

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a drought here, especially in the rural areas, and we stand in strong support of this bill.
• The last section has to do, in the event of repeal, contingent repeal of the compact, that the attorney
• rather than an individual who might be impacted by the contingent repeal against the commission.
• Contingent repeal follows the same language change that was made to House Bill 12, which clarifies that
• Contingent repeal follows the same language change that was made to House Bill 12, which clarifies that

Bills: HB10, HB12, HB34, SB130, SM21

Keywords: physician assistants, interstate compact, medical services, licensure, cross-state practice, military families, regulatory authority, physical therapy, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare, military spouses, criminal background check, HB34, school nurse, school nurses, nurse licensure, charter school, charter schools, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• This was a drought problem.
• The impacts of a drought can reach far into the future long after a drought has ended.
• managing drought.
• It was recommended by the drought management task force and in the 2023 drought state's drought management
• Droughts lower our drinking water supplies, and droughts reduce or threaten our farms.

Keywords: 995, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're facing mounting drought, heat, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and yet the state of Hawaii
• We're<00:21:41.440> facing<00:21:41.919> mounting<00:21:42.400> drought,<00:21:43.200
• > heat,<00:21:43.600> sea We're facing mounting drought, heat, sea We're facing mounting
• <00:22:26.240> create<00:22:26.640> new this new faculty contingent create new this
• new faculty contingent create new curricula<00:22:27.840> we<00:22:28.000> would<00:22

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met on February 4 and began with announcements about committee protocol, including posting hearing notices and testimony earlier than required and using written HD1 drafts for more complex amendments. The chair also noted the new AV system and asked speakers to be clear because the microphones are sensitive. The committee then took up several University of Hawaiʻi-related measures, with most testimony coming from UH officials, state agencies, and advocacy groups, and no votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1596, relating to student basic needs support at the University of Hawaiʻi, drew support from UH, the Oʻahu Youth Action Board, and an individual. UH said it stood on its written testimony and could answer questions. HB 1597, relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research, received support from UH/JABSOM, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others; the Attorney General’s Office offered a procedural reminder about statewide concern. HB 1970, funding the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the Hawaii Tumor Registry, was supported by UH, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Hawaii Medical Association, and others, with testimony emphasizing the registry’s role in cancer surveillance, prevention, and federal funding. The committee also heard HB 1598, creating a Hawaii Climate Institute. UH testified in support, citing worsening drought, heat, sea level rise, and extreme weather, and said the institute would hire climate modelers and faculty across several schools. Members questioned funding, and UH said it would seek state startup money, possible green-fee support, and federal grants, noting recent federal cuts and the need for permanent positions. HB 1989, on water retention, was supported by UH as a study to slow runoff and improve aquifer recharge. HB 1951, on biosecurity, drew support from UH, DLNR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, students, and other organizations; testimony stressed invasive species threats, the need for biocontrol research and containment capacity, and possible sites for a statewide facility. HB 1952, funding agricultural research station improvements on Kauaʻi, was supported by UH, the Farm Bureau, and others, with testimony noting aging facilities and the need to modernize stations across the islands. Finally, HB 2005, relating to language access, received UH support, with a UH representative noting that credit programs may fit best in a credit-bearing academic program and that Outreach College could be an option for noncredit programs.