Transcript Highlights:

• , out there, and we're going to hear from Representative Nina Karnney, who has had a bill of this nature
• </c> who has had a bill of this nature. who has had a bill of this nature. excuse<00:04:14.959><c> me
• We want the science to come through on it. So drinking water standards filter down.
• </c><01:05:42.319><c> to</c> judgment on that we want the science to judgment on that we want the science
• </c> by its very nature, they take in waste. by its very nature, they take in waste.

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:40 Chair Comments 00:02:51 Rep. Nima Kulkarni PFAS Presentation 00:04:35 EEC PFAS Presentation 00:39:36 Rusty Cress PFAS Presentation 01:01:10 Chair Comments on Admin Regs and Reports Received 01:14:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Natural Resources is called to order.
• Without objection, the Natural Resources Committee minutes of February 27th and March 3rd, 2026, stand
• preventable, and is caused by human activity that's unlikely to recur at a particular location, or a natural
• Science is what has determined delisting of other wildlife. There's a process.
• The science-based view would tell you that the animals were placed ...would tell you that the animals

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 27 and March 3, 2026, then heard House Bill 2013, which would require ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration to EPA when a wildfire on federally managed land affects Arizona air quality. The sponsor said the bill would help Arizona’s ozone/nonattainment situation by ensuring wildfire-related exceedances are excluded from official counts. Sierra Club opposed the mandate as duplicative and costly, and ADEQ said it was neutral but concerned about requiring submissions that may not meet EPA’s regulatory-significance standard and could take about 200 staff hours each. HB 2013 received a do-pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, after testimony from opponents raising transparency, conflict-of-interest, and funding concerns; supporters argued ranchers need help with depredation losses. HB 2156 passed 5-3. House Bill 2113, which would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when a proposed residential rate increase is 100% or more, drew testimony from the sponsor about rural customers facing large increases and from RUCO saying it lacked the staff and budget to take on the added workload. The chair and sponsor discussed adding an appropriation or lowering the threshold, but no amendment was ready. Opponents argued the bill would divert RUCO from larger cases, while supporters emphasized protecting rural ratepayers. The committee gave HB 2113 a do-pass recommendation, 6-2. House Concurrent Memorial 2011, urging Congress to delist the Mexican gray wolf and return management to states and local authorities, was supported by the sponsor and ranching-focused testimony citing livestock losses, while opponents said the species remains endangered and recovery should stay science-based. HCM 2011 passed 5-3. The committee then considered House Bill 2026, which would let ADWR evaluate water availability for certain developments by looking only at the proposed source or sources, even if water is commingled in a delivery system. ADWR was neutral but warned that commingled systems make it difficult to track actual water use and could weaken groundwater safeguards; opponents said the bill could enable double counting or more pumping. HB 2026 received a do-pass recommendation, 5-3. House Bill 2056, which appropriates $100,000 for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites, was supported by the sponsor as a way to explore additional water supplies; ADWR was neutral but said the study would be new for the agency and that brackish water is still regulated as groundwater. HB 2056 passed 5-3. House Bill 2098, modernizing Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority bonding and financing authority, drew support from Pinal County representatives and passed unanimously, 8-0. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 2057, supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap and coordination among agencies, was backed by industry advocates as a way to unlock Arizona’s geothermal potential and also passed unanimously, 8-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those who are familiar, that of course means science, technology, engineering, and the A in there
• And so robotics is an expensive thing to compete in just by its nature.
• And so robotics is an expensive thing to compete in just by its nature.
• You're dealing with things that are an advanced science type situation.
• I think that changes the nature of some of the community investment, community service that we draw on

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's used for arrival, dismissal area, physical education classes, drama theater programs, science fairs
• It's used for arrival, dismissal area, physical education classes, drama theater programs, science fairs
• It's used for arrival and dismissal area, physical education classes, drama theater programs, science
• some things that have already nature some things that have already been<00:32:34.559><c> asked</c><00
• And so that is the nature of the Senate Committee Substitute at this time. Are there any questions?

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 537 Discussion 00:00:40 HB 537 Vote 00:02:45 HJR 34 Discussion 00:03:30 HJR 34 Vote 00:07:45 HJR 30 Discussion 00:08:30 HJR 30 Vote 00:10:25 HJR 32 Discussion 00:11:00 HJR 32 Vote 00:41:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand that we still need to get some teachers with some access to learning about the science
• That's the nature of the way we all operate.
• That's the nature real life grades us.
• ><00:47:58.840><c> social</c> using reading, science, and social using reading, science, and social studies
• ,</c> studies, and what were the science, studies, and what were the science, social<00:48:09.320><c>

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do fund them with specialized equipment, training, things of that nature as well.
• So we do fund them with specialized equipment, training, things of that nature as well.
• This is real information coming from actual experts with real science.
• The fact is the naturally occurring bacteria occurs naturally in the soil and the water.
• We are naturally lazy. We will pick the lazy things. We are naturally lazy.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee will come to order. Good morning.
• Michael Jarrett with the Nature Conservancy in support. Thank you.
• Michael Jarrett with the Nature Conservancy in support. Thank you.
• Michael Chair, with The Nature Conservancy, in support. Thank you.
• We have Ted Cordova with E&B Natural Resources. Go ahead.

Summary: The committee heard a series of natural resources bills, with several measures accepted on committee amendments and moved forward on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 2461 on oil and gas bonding and well-closure financial assurance drew strong support from environmental groups and some legislators, while an industry representative was neutral and warned about unintended consequences and reduced transfers. Senators Laird and Cabaldon supported the bill as a clarification of AB 1167, and the committee voted do pass as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee also approved a consent calendar of 10 bills, which was moved and held on call. AB 53 by Assemblymember Ramos, as amended, would expand tribal eligibility for conservation grants and loans and express legislative intent to create a process for returning ancestral lands to federally recognized tribes. Tribal and environmental supporters argued the bill recognizes tribal stewardship and helps remove barriers to conservation participation, while county, farm bureau, and habitat league witnesses raised concerns about long-term land management, public accountability, easements, and jurisdiction if lands are transferred. Committee members emphasized the importance of preserving conservation protections and continuing work on the land-return framework; the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations and held on call. AB 2679 on Lake Tahoe corridor safety and access was supported by local officials and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, who described dangerous parking, pedestrian conflicts, and a successful shuttle pilot, and the bill was moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 1666, creating biomass innovation parks and other incentives for non-combustion uses of forest and agricultural biomass, received broad support from business, conservation, and local government witnesses, with senators framing it as a way to address wildfire debris and create rural jobs; it also advanced do pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2494, which would modernize the demonstration state forest system and elevate biodiversity, recreation, carbon storage, and tribal stewardship over maximum sustained production, drew strong support from environmental and tribal advocates but significant opposition from forest industry, county, and research witnesses who warned it could undermine research, sustainable forestry, and local economies; the author said he would continue negotiations, and the bill was moved do pass to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2234, which updates the definition of geothermal exploratory projects, and AB 2521, which seeks to use the California Council on Science and Technology for watershed-wide water availability analyses to help identify excess water for groundwater recharge. Both bills had support from sponsors and some stakeholders, while AB 2521 drew concerns from agricultural water interests about agency reliance, public trust considerations, and funding. Both measures were moved do pass as amended to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2410 would extend a CEQA exemption for certain fuels-reduction projects in high fire-risk areas; local government groups supported it as a wildfire-prevention tool, while environmental and other opponents argued the remaining exemption still weakens habitat protections and public review, and one witness sought to remove conventional herbicides from the exemption.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:25.439><c> resources</c> environmental and natural resources environmental and natural resources
• </c> funding for environment natural funding for environment natural resources<00:02:29.080><c> projects
• </c> majority the environment and natural majority the environment and natural resources<00:08:55.440
• </c><00:13:06.480><c> resource</c> lccm it's foundational natural resource lccm it's foundational natural
• </c> certainly the environmental and natural certainly the environmental and natural resources<00:49:

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• e Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Science, Technology and Energy Committee for Tuesday, the
• It is not trying to presume any outcomes, and it is not talking about the science.
• Chair and members of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee.
• </c><03:48:12.600><c> and</c> state is rooted in sound science and state is rooted in sound science and
• and energy, and I see a difference between science and religion.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it is, by nature, going to decrease the 75% number of reliance on foreign oil.
• That's when we're still relying on natural gas.
• It is absolutely critical, and we need it to transition off of natural gas.
• I'm going to be my person. ...nature. But I want to thank the author for taking on this.
• They are flexible in nature and durable tools that can be used in a variety of ways.

Summary: The committee heard several climate, environmental, and housing bills. AB 1425, dealing with pit dewatering near the San Joaquin River Parkway, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued the bill was needed to protect the river, groundwater, floodplain conditions, tribal and cultural resources, and public access from a proposed mining project near the river. Opponents, including Cemex, labor representatives, and industry groups, said the bill would bypass the CEQA process before it was complete, threaten jobs, and create uncertainty for an existing operation. Members questioned both sides about hydrology, blasting, dewatering, and the adequacy of the ongoing environmental review. The bill was moved, but several members expressed concern about preempting CEQA and some did not vote or voted no. AB 881, which would allow California to move forward with carbon capture and sequestration pipelines, was presented as a way to advance state climate goals and capture federal funding. Supporters, including SMUD, labor, and industry groups, said the bill would help deploy carbon capture safely and preserve jobs. Environmental justice opponents supported stronger safety direction and warned that CO2 pipelines pose serious risks and that the state should not move ahead without clearer standards. The bill received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1207, on the cap-and-trade allowance price ceiling and the social cost of carbon, was presented as a science-based update to California’s climate policy. The author and EDF said the bill would keep the program aligned with current economic and climate data and protect it from federal political interference. It received broad support and a due-pass recommendation. AB 1106, creating a coordinated network of air quality incident response centers, was also approved after testimony about wildfire smoke, toxic emissions, and the need for better real-time monitoring during disasters. AB 28, the Landfill Fire Safety Act, focused on the Chiquita Canyon landfill fire and related health impacts in Castaic and Val Verde; residents described serious illnesses and contamination concerns, while landfill and county representatives warned about costs and asked for more study. The committee nonetheless advanced the bill with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also heard AB 357, which would speed Coastal Commission review of student and faculty housing projects, with supporters citing student homelessness and opponents urging caution but acknowledging the need for more housing; the bill was presented and discussed, with the committee emphasizing the need to balance housing production and coastal oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can send it to us today here or by mail to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee in Room
• Natural Heritage Program.
• Douglas State Forest is a 6,000-square-foot natural resource that borders both Connecticut and Rhode
• The science is proven and irrefutable that excess nitrogen and phosphorus pollutes fresh water and salt
• If not, that concludes the first hearing of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee hearing.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources opened its first hearing with introductory remarks, instructions on three-minute testimony limits, and notice that written testimony would be accepted. The committee then heard testimony on several local bills, beginning with H. 984, which would change water management for Silver Lake, Furnace Pond, Monponset Pond, and the Jones River system. Supporters said the 1964 water arrangement has harmed water levels, water quality, and habitat, and argued the bill would add needed environmental oversight without cutting Brockton off from water. Testimony emphasized impacts on alewife, freshwater mussels, drought conditions, and the need for more balanced management; no vote was taken during the hearing. The committee also heard H. 1069, a proposal to raise the parking surcharge at Douglas State Forest from $1 to $5 to help Douglas cover emergency response costs at the DCR park. Supporters said the town bears the burden for rescues, brush fires, and other incidents and has used the current surcharge for equipment like drones and ATVs. Another bill, H. 994, would let Orleans regulate fertilizer use locally; the town argued that nutrient pollution has worsened water quality in Cape Cod ponds and coastal waters, while opponents from the lawn care and landscape industries said Massachusetts already has a strong statewide nutrient-management system and warned against a patchwork of local rules. The committee also took testimony on H. 1073 concerning wastewater treatment and disposal options at Joint Base Cape Cod for the town of Sandwich. Supporters said the base could help meet Sandwich’s immediate and long-term wastewater needs and that the region has already invested in planning. In addition, Senator Driscoll testified in support of S. 575, to add transparency to the Blue Hills Reservation Trust Fund, and S. 574, to establish memorial markers honoring law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. He also supported related park-naming legislation, including a bill to rename Farragut Park and dedicate athletic fields there. Finally, a marine trades representative supported a bill to expand pleasure boat access to Boston Harbor, arguing that boating supports the local economy and that boaters are strong environmental stewards. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center led by Dr.
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. El Paso, led by Dr.
• offering seven exceptional magnet schools that prepare students for careers in health professions. science
• the study of the feasibility of using seawater desalination process in Texas for the Committee on Natural
• Project for the Committee on Natural Resources.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Health, emphasis in practice management, at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• First reading of bills: HB 2141, Environmental Community; Natural Resources, Energy, and Water.
• HB 2795, small modular reactor; Natural Resources, Energy, and Water.
• HB 2809, statewide science and technology. HB 2812, accumulated government.
• With your permission, the Committee on Science and Technology will not be meeting today. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes participants, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and ACLU visitors. Attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused. The chamber handled routine floor business, including temporary committee replacements, referral of HB 2677 from Judiciary to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and the first reading and referral of a large number of House bills and one concurrent resolution. The bill list covered a wide range of topics, including education, appropriations, housing, taxes, health care, public safety, energy, water, labor, elections, and several measures related to abortion, firearms, and tribal affairs. Second reading of bills was also announced for another extensive set of measures. During announcements, members promoted a blood drive, a Veterans Caucus coffee-and-donuts event and lunch with a Department of Defense speaker, and several committee meetings or cancellations. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred beyond the procedural motions and the final motion to adjourn. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Health, emphasis in practice management, at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
• Affairs; HB 2792, Annexation, Government; HB 2794, DOR Transactions; HB 2795, Small Modular Reactor, Natural
• Resources, Energy and Water; HB 2803, Expenditure Limitation; HB 2809, Statewide Science and Technology
• eligible, 2759 appropriation rule transportation police, Mississippi appropriating ADOT, 2760 inter-natural
• Speaker Pro Tem, with your permission, the Committee on Science and Technology will not be meeting today

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They conduct covert espionage against American industries from advanced science to aerospace to AI.
• and the China Academy of Social Sciences?
• -China Science and Technology Agreement. Was this a good idea?
• Science fiction for where the PLA was. No one's laughing now about where that is.
• progression and a natural career path that people hold.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sound science would look like? sound science would look like?
• any science.
• do use science.
• Well, independent science, peer-reviewed science, refereed journals, science that's defensible, science
• Independent science, peer-reviewed science, refereed journals, science that's defensible, science that

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The unique nature of the proposed conservancy encompasses the largest freshwater wetland remaining in
• Michael Jared with the Nature Conservancy, in support. Thank you. Hi there.
• Michael Jarre with The Nature Conservancy, in support. Thank you.
• Michael Jarre with The Nature Conservancy, in support. Thank you.
• When we build roads through these natural corridors, we don't just get animal-vehicle collisions.

Committee: House Water, Parks, and Wildlife

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In high school, Minty and I founded a science club that put on science nights at local elementary schools
• In high school, Minty and I founded a science club that put on science names at local elementary schools
• The operations of e-bikes on natural surface trails are also problematic.
• Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts do not expect to encounter high-speed e-bikes on their nature walks
• Counterintuitive, but that's the science, and those are the facts behind it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are dedicated to providing a holistic education that integrates classical Islamic science with both
• Nolan is pursuing an associate's degree in political science at Chabot College and will be transferring
• Ariela is a fourth-year political science major at San Diego State University and on track to graduate
• from northern to central to southern California, 47% of which are visitor-serving and rely on the natural
• So I rise in full support of ACR 149 for the... ...natural resource.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes natural management.
• It is unable to absorb natural rainfall, which means that we get runoff.
• It's a data-driven science-based system that restores soil health.
• nature instead of against it.
• And minimal to no-till methods rely on natural biological processes. to build soil health.

Bills: HB3032 , HB3434 , HB3574 , HB5339 , HB5646

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation