Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see that on electric utility, and you'll see it on public utility in those definitions.
• We will open the floor to public Right. We will open the floor to public testimony.
• We'll move into public comment. Any public comment, please come forward. Welcome.
• that. form a utility.
• </c> public safety and federal compliance. public safety and federal compliance.

Bills: SF0099, SF0116, SJ0006

Keywords: easement, electricity delivery, public utility, prescriptive easement, landowner rights, surface water, drainage utilities, municipality, elections, environmental management, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will proceed to public testimony.
• No further questions, we will proceed to public testimony. The chair calls David Billings.
• Other questions and we'll proceed to public testimony. The chair calls Adam Shiestl.
• Since then, I've worked in public policy as a music teacher, and I've worked in communications.
• John Venura from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and you are speaking in favor of the bill.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the 60-day publication. within six days before public notice, you publish the capital improvements
• Okay, if no further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony Yvonne.
• Okay, we'll begin to public testimony.
• Thank you. clarifies that the bill does not limit the authority of an electric utility to implement tariffs
• the taxable value to recoup the public investment.

Bills: HB602, HB1322, HB1930, HB2225, HB2304, HB2494, HB3275, HB3810, HB3919

Keywords: affordable housing, land use, zoning, urban planning, community development, housing crisis, mixed-use development, sustainability, municipal utility district, board of directors, qualifications, land ownership, Texas, taxation, residency, municipal approval, subdivision plans, local governance, plats, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Retail rates are based on historic or embedded costs in 1983, when the Public Utility Commission established
• Retail rates are based on historic or embedded costs in 1983, when the Public Utility Commission established
• Aggregation of meters only speaks to aggregation by public utilities.
• Uh, I do know, though, that the federal law on which Minnesota's law is implementing—the Public Utility
• Uh, I do know, though, that the federal law on which Minnesota's law is implementing—the Public Utility

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• If there are no further questions, we will proceed to public testimony.
• The substitute focuses on keeping those venues fully public.
• We do have public attendance currently.
• But a MUD is like a city; it's a public... what's the word?
• Is accessible to the general public and is free of charge.

Bills: HB1835, HB2561, HB3630

Keywords: manufactured housing, HUD-code, zoning, local government regulations, installation permits, municipal utility district, board meetings, public access, meeting location, transparency, fire prevention, agriculture, local government, fire safety, regulations, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this is really a Public Utilities Commission technical fixes bill.
• I'm the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
• </c><00:01:55.200><c> Utilities</c> the work of the Public Utilities the work of the Public Utilities
• In short, the bill asks data centers to develop a flexibility report with the Public Utility Commission
• ><c> the</c><01:42:36.880><c> 2025</c> Public Utility Commission under the 2025 Public Utility Commission

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to close public comment and we're going to move on House Bill 16.
• We're going to close public comment. Public comment is closed.
• We're going to close public &gt;&gt; That's it.
• We're going to close public comment.<00:43:44.400><c> Uh</c><00:43:45.760><c> public</c><00:43:46.079
• Uh public comment is closed. comment. Uh public comment is closed.

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> close public testimony. close public testimony.
• So you’ll see references to electric utility referring to another statute; public utility refers to another
• Exclusive would mean that only the utilities could utilize that easement.
• I think he actually handles that publication. publication. publication.
• Any other public &gt;&gt; Thank you, Senator. Any other public testimony?

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• But the thing that makes me like it the most has to be the fact that it's going to increase public-private
• sometimes with the expectation that the HOA will own or maintain infrastructure that would otherwise be public
• and as assets for, um, as a commercial real estate asset for park owners and why that matters to public
• for park owners and why that<00:49:33.760><c> matters</c><00:49:34.079><c> to</c><00:49:34.640><c> public
• </c> that matters to public policy. that matters to public policy.

Bills: HF4234, HF484, HF483, HF2614

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Potentially create a problem for these, uh, utility, uh, utilities, uh, if they started to serve, uh,
• a public utility agency.
• So there is no longer any need for the public utility agency.
• This applies to public water systems, so interactions that they have with the public water systems and
• But the thing that hasn't been spoken about is that water utilities, retail water utilities by laws passed

Bills: HB 5208, SB 863, SB 1243, SB 1624, SB 1965, SB 2660, SB 2702, SB 2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• We had, up in our district, a special utility district, and a MUD came together and created a public
• utility agency.
• So there is no longer any need for the public utility agency.
• This bill addresses a narrow but important public health concern, ensuring Texans served by small public
• But the thing that hasn't been spoken about is that water utilities, retail water utilities, by laws

Bills: HB5208, SB863, SB1243, SB1624, SB1965, SB2660, SB2702, SB2885

Keywords: water filtration, public drinking water, health and safety, well maintenance, water quality, Edwards Aquifer, water conservation, reclaimed water, aquifer storage, environmental protection, public utility agency, dissolution, local government, regulatory framework, municipal authority, Texas Water Bank, Texas Water Trust, water rights, water banking, instream flow

Transcript Highlights:

• Sections six and 17 pertain to a consumer enforcement public compensation account that's established
• </c> owned by electric utility cooperatives. owned by electric utility cooperatives.
• Any questions on the public finance section? All right. Thank you, Miss Hegler. Uh, we've got Mr.
• Any questions on the public finance section? All right. Thank you, Miss Hegler. Uh, we've got Mr.
• Any questions on the public finance section? All right. Thank you, Miss Hegler. Uh, we've got Mr.

Bills: HF9

Keywords: energy policy, renewable energy standard, carbon-free standard, solar standard, hydroelectric, hydropower, electric utility, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, renewable portfolio standard, carbon capture and sequestration, CCS, greenhouse gas emissions, climate policy, nuclear power plant, certificate of need, fossil fuel plant demolition, utility compliance delay, beneficial electrification, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair opens public testimony on House Bill 630.
• Currently, the municipality may petition the Public Utility Commission to decertify a portion of a retail
• The Chair opens public testimony on House Bill 1318.
• Hearing none, public testimony is closed. Thanks, sir.
• Public testimony is closed.

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Bills: HB 842, HB 1907, HB 2844, HB 2892, HB 3439, HB 4211, HB 4536, HB 5111, HB 5138, HB 5182, HB 5247, HB 5269, HB 5323, HB 5435, HJR 201, SB 871, HB 3896, SJR 40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• They can make this complaint to the public agency, and the public agency has to make a finding.
• Chairman and members, the Texas utility industry relies on valuable insights from the Office of Public
• Effectively for consumers, the OPIC must have timely, accurate information from the Public Utility Commission
• House Bill 842 directs the Public Utility Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential
• Therese Harris of the Public Utility Commission to be the resource witness here on our behalf.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• Growth investment some of our utilities are in while simultaneously enabling these utilities to maintain
• We've had great discussions with OPUC, the Office of Public Utility Council, and We have talked to other
• We have heard from the Office of Public Utility Council and some others that perhaps a 2035.
• We have you registered as Anna Givens on behalf of the Texas Public Utility Commission as a resource
• Utility Commission of Texas.

Bills: HB842, HB1907, HB2844, HB2892, HB3439, HB4211, HB4536, HB5111, HB5138, HB5182, HB5247, HB5269, HB5323, HB5435, HJR201, SB871, HB3896, SJR40

Keywords: power lines, Gulf Coast, weather-related outages, Public Utility Commission, infrastructure, government contracts, Chinese companies, information technology, cybersecurity, state regulations, food safety, mobile vendors, licensing, permitting exemptions, health inspections, nonprofit organizations, personal information, government disclosure, privacy, criminal penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:01.720><c> some</c> requirement for electric utilities some requirement for electric utilities
• :03.240><c> the</c><00:06:03.360><c> carbon</c> Electric utilities to meet the carbon Electric utilities
• </c><00:12:25.320><c> hookups</c> that the issues around utility hookups that the issues around utility
• She said that as the data center conversation continues, she is glad that the Public Utility Commission
• <00:32:01.679><c> uh</c><00:32:01.799><c> people</c> utility uh people utility uh people didn't<00:32

Bills: HF484, HF483, HF1447, HF1496, HF554

Keywords: natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption, municipal regulation, county ordinance, electrification, climate policy, housing development, building codes, energy source, utility infrastructure, Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, propane, utility service, building permits, local government, energy choice

Transcript Highlights:

• Could we proceed to public testimony? Thank you.
• If no further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony.
• They are also public health risks.
• Cemeteries require municipal services like street maintenance, utilities, and public safety, but due
• If no further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony and took action on several land use, housing, municipal utility district, and cemetery-related bills. House Bill 447, dealing with transportation impact analysis requirements tied to MUD bond issuance, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the sponsor’s closing remarks, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1202, on third-party review of home backup power installations, was substituted and reported favorably to the full House by a unanimous roll call. House Bill 2494, on disannexation for failure to provide municipal services, and House Bill 1835, removing barriers to HUD-code manufactured homes, were also substituted and reported favorably; HB 1835 passed on a 5-1 vote. Senate Bill 15, limiting lot size and density requirements in certain large municipalities, was substituted and reported favorably unanimously. The committee also heard House Bill 897, which would authorize the sale or long-term lease of two state-owned Austin properties used by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission and HHSC. The sponsor said the properties are in poor condition and that proceeds would benefit the state; after questions, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Several template MUD bills were then laid out, including HB 5652, HB 5654, HB 5661, and HB 5656, each creating or authorizing municipal utility districts in Montgomery or Fort Bend counties for water, wastewater, drainage, road, and recreational improvements. These bills drew limited testimony in support and were left pending without objection. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would repeal last session’s change allowing new cemeteries within certain distances of municipalities and restore the prior rule limiting cemetery placement near growing urban areas. The sponsor and supporters argued the 2023 change created unintended consequences, removed valuable taxable land from future use, and complicated city planning; opponents, including a funeral service industry representative, argued the current law gives communities local control and helps address cemetery land shortages. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4753, a bill allowing a property owner to use a municipal record showing a certificate of occupancy was issued when the original document is lost; it was left pending. Finally, HB 3680, a Cameron County-specific bill modifying subdivision/model rule procedures to reduce replatting burdens while preserving colonia protections, and HB 4812, clarifying that condominiums follow Chapter 82 of the Property Code rather than full subdivision platting, both received supportive testimony and were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could we proceed to public testimony? Thank you.
• If no further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony.
• They are also public health risks.
• Cemeteries require municipal services like street maintenance, utilities, public safety, but due to their
• If no further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony.

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of land use, housing, and local government bills. House Bill 447, relating to TIA requirements for certain MUD bond issuances, drew opposition from a witness who argued it would duplicate work already done, strain agency resources, and delay development; after the author’s closing, the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out Senate Bill 1202 (third-party review of home backup power installations), House Bill 2494 (disannexation for failure to provide services), House Bill 1835 (removing barriers to HUD co-manufactured homes), and Senate Bill 15 (lot size and density limits in certain municipalities), with House Bill 1835 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously. House Bill 897, authorizing sale or lease of two state-owned Austin properties, was laid out and left pending after brief questions and no public testimony. The committee also heard and left pending several MUD creation bills for Montgomery and Fort Bend counties, including House Bills 5652, 5654, 5661, and 5656, each presented as template district bills with local support and no opposition recorded at the table. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 2673, which would restore prior restrictions on new cemeteries near growing urban areas by repealing changes made last session. Representative Lujan and supporters argued the current law created unintended consequences, including loss of developable land, tax-exempt property in urban cores, and conflicts with infrastructure planning; they said cities already have authority to establish their own cemeteries if needed. Opponents, including a funeral services industry representative, argued the 2023 change was intended to let communities decide and that the bill would take local decision-making backward. After extensive testimony from both sides, the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 3680, which would create a Cameron County-specific process allowing local discretion under the model subdivision rules. Supporters said the bill would preserve colonia protections while reducing costly platting and replatting burdens on families trying to sell or pass down land; county officials and realtors testified in favor. The bill was left pending after closing. House Bill 4812, a clarification to the Texas Uniform Condominium Act to prevent counties from imposing subdivision platting requirements on condominiums, received support from builders and a condominium attorney who said current county practices create duplicative hurdles and higher costs; it too was left pending. Finally, House Bill 5148, which would allow certain single-stair apartment buildings up to six stories, generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including housing advocates and architects, said the bill would lower costs, improve unit design, and expand affordable, family-friendly housing while maintaining safety through sprinklers and other safeguards. Fire officials from Corpus Christi opposed the bill, warning that a single stairwell could hinder firefighting and occupant evacuation, especially if sprinklers fail or smoke spreads. The author said the bill was aimed at new construction only and was part of a broader effort to reduce outdated housing regulations; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending at adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Could we proceed to public testimony? Thank you.
• If no further questions, we'll proceed to public testimony.
• They are also public health risks.
• Cemeteries require municipal services like street maintenance, utilities, and public safety, but due
• This creates the creation of a municipal utility district to be known as Fort Bend County Municipal Utility

Bills: HB447, HB897, HB993, HB2673, HB3671, HB3680, HB3897, HB4506, HB4753, HB4812, HB4894, HB5148, HB5437, HB5650, HB5652, HB5654, HB5656, HB5661, HB5665

Keywords: traffic impact studies, municipal utility district, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, HB 897, Texas land sale, state property, Austin real estate, Travis County, General Land Office, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission, state records facility, archives building, library funding, capital improvements, lease of state land, public land disposition