Transcript Highlights:

• Natural resources, energy and water. HB 2151, surface water definition.
• HB 2054, water provider. HB 2055, brackish water recovery.
• HB 2094, assured water supply. HB 2095, assured water supply well depth.
• HB 2102, domestic water improvement. HB 2103, water improvements program.
• HB 2102, domestic water improvement. HB 2103, water improvements program.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes reauthorization of the surface transportation bill, as well as some new provisions for newer
• It includes reauthorization of the surface transportation bill, as well as some new provisions for newer
• Broadband Etc it roads Bridges water Broadband Etc it includes<00:25:19.960> um<00:25:20.520>
• Transportation bill as well as surface Transportation bill as well as some<00:25:24.360> new<
• <01:10:01.360> treatment Wastewater and drinking water treatment Wastewater and drinking water

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Nicole Galassi, Waiahole Water Council, on Zoom. Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair.
• Nicole Galassi, on behalf of the Waiahole Water Council, has done written testimony in support.
• under its jurisdiction, whether that be, you know, grant access, participation in state procurement, water
• under its jurisdiction, whether that be, you know, grant access, participation in state procurement, water
• In state procurement, water rate pricing, maybe even assisting in the assessment of agricultural tax

Bills: SB2319, SB2407, SB2489, SB2153, SB2321, SB2805, SB3010, SB2892, SB2595, SB2781

Keywords: agriculture, biosecurity, grant funding, food security, climate resiliency, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, agribusiness, state employment, invasive species, lease provisions, environment, food safety, farmers, local food systems, rural development, livestock, forage grasses, pest management

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what we did on this Slide is kind of take you back to 2012 Surface Transportation Bill MAP 21,
• And so that Surface Transportation Funding Bill for State Departments of Transportation ran from 2022
• At some rest areas, it's getting the water. Issues fixed so we don't have to shut them down.
• There is water at the rest area, it's got high levels of nitrate, so that's Why we can't open it, it's
• We thought it was it was Close to the water source, the well is like half a mile away.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, AB 580, a good governance effort to secure water for 19 million Southern Californians, is back
• Senate amendments extend the sunset date by 15 years for Metropolitan Water District's master reclamation
• plan under the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act, ensuring efficient maintenance of the Colorado River
• Aqueduct, a lifeline delivering water to our communities.
• Thank you. ...15 years for Metropolitan Water District's master reclamation plan under the Surface Mining

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, with members observing a moment of silence for the Minnesota tragedy mentioned by the Speaker. The chamber then moved quickly through a large daily file, taking up many Senate amendments and third-reading measures, with most bills passing by wide margins or unanimously. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding action on SB 863, and later taking up several resolutions and bills on concurrence and third reading. Among the main policy items, members adopted AJR 8 on temporary protected status after debate over immigration policy, and AJR 19 urging opposition to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The Assembly also adopted ACR 112 recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month, with several members speaking in support of the deaf community and accessibility. Other notable measures included bills on water reclamation and Colorado River Aqueduct maintenance (AB 580), telehealth (AB 688), housing approvals and ADU enforcement/cleanup (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), pension and retirement rules (SB 301), volunteer fire department tax exemptions (SB 87), dementia training for home care aides (SB 412), and a San Francisco public-safety measure on stolen goods resale (SB 276), which drew opposition over permitting and criminalization concerns. The Assembly also passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills dealing with local government finance and infrastructure, public contracts, the Delta, fairgrounds compensation, and San Francisco liquor licenses, as well as AJR 3 on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Most measures were approved on roll-call votes with few no votes; SB 227 and SB 276 were urgency measures and received the required two-thirds support. The consent calendar was adopted unanimously, and the day concluded with several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remembrances of former Assembly staffer Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, before the House adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 116, Surface Water Drainage Utilities. Sponsored by Senator Crumb. Senator Crumb.
• Senator Crumb, we're on Senate File 116, surface water drainage utilities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• by the electors within that proposed surface water utility drainage area under this subsection."
• > has the surface water drainage utility has the surface water drainage utility has been<00:10
• electors within that proposed surface electors within that proposed surface water<00:10:18.399><

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as our drinking water.
• to the well water board.
• bottles, plastic water bottles.
• plastic water bottles.
• of um of uh water bottles uh plastic<04:15:14.720> water<04:15:15.040> bottles.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's called push water.
• I'm not. a water engineer.
• They don't have the water. You can't plant without the water. In this case, Mexico.
• But so when you say push water, that push water is for Delivery or push water on row crops?
• you've got Basically water is the vehicle to move more water.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are reappropriating in section 29 $25,300,000 for the Capital City Water Project.
• Next up is the Tort Claims Board. for the Capital City Water Project. for the Capital City Water Project
• the Local Provider Innovation Grant Program, $149,876,737 to the Department of Health for the Rural Water
• the Local Provider Innovation Grant Program, $149,876,737 to the Department of Health for the Rural Water
• the Local Provider Innovation Grant Program, $149,876,737 to the Department of Health for the Rural Water

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 February, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received an invocation from Reverend Kenny McGill, and approved dispensing with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber then spent a substantial amount of time introducing guests in the galleries, including local officials, electric cooperative and farm bureau representatives, a doctor of the day, and student groups, with repeated recognition of workers involved in storm recovery and other public service efforts. Senators also offered brief remarks of support for Senator Warren Barnett’s recovery. The main business was the appropriations calendar. Senator Hopkins gave an overview of the budget process and projected FY 2027 general fund figures, noting that the Senate was still early in the process, had only considered Senate-originated bills, and was awaiting House bills such as education and Medicaid. He highlighted major budget pressures and items including university professor pay raises, agricultural unit increases, education enhancement funds, CAPEX projects, TRICARE funding, and a veterans home appropriation. He also noted that some bills were final passage while others contained reverse repealers and would go to conference. The Senate then considered several appropriations bills. Senate Bill 3051, the Department of Finance and Administration budget and related agencies, was explained by Senator DeBar; it included reductions tied to vacancy projections, contractual and nonrecurring funding changes, and reappropriations for America 250, the Capital City Water Project, coronavirus fiscal recovery expenses, and Bureau of Buildings invoices. It was adopted and passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3052, the Governor’s Office and Mansion budget, was presented as final action without a reverse repealer, with funding reduced from last year due to the loss of federal GEAR and EANS funds; it also passed by morning roll call. Senate Bill 3053, IHL general support, included a $2,000 professor raise and a $20 million CAPEX item, with a total budget of about $1.673 billion; it passed. Senate Bill 3054, IHL subsidiary programs, was explained as having no dollars over LBR and a total of $87.8 million, with a reverse repealer; after a brief question about the university professor raises, it too was adopted and passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially, this is the surface transportation bill at a federal level over the last dozen or so years
• And the idea, right, is that it was pouring a tremendous amount of additional resources into surface
• At the last Water and Natural Resource Committee, the Asecas came and talked, and Secretary, I'm wondering
• up in Rio Arriba, and we have been holding monthly meetings just trying to bring together all the water
• So it'll be improvements to properties, water systems, and then of course building maintenance themselves

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 430 aims to provide farmers and water consumers with information on state-authorized water curtailments
• supply. water system.
• Small disadvantaged communities lack the resources to access alternative water supplies and offer water
• So that way, encouraging water suppliers to put aside water for that non-rainy day.
• Sipa Water District in support.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Golden mussel adults attach to surfaces, and their larvae are suspended in the water column, which allows
• water supply systems that receive water from the Delta.
• their water control plans.
• Water managers are engaged now.
• work within our region—so you have a water agency, Placer County Water Agency, and even the State Water

Summary: The subcommittee began by announcing a change in the agenda order, moving item 6 ahead of item 1 and then item 7, and noting there would be no votes taken on any items that day. Item 6 covered a proposed operational efficiencies control section for the Natural Resources Agency that would let multiple departments jointly fund landscape-scale or multi-jurisdictional projects and allow Finance to transfer climate bond funds to a lead state entity. The LAO said the proposal was reasonable but suggested the Legislature consider requiring summary notification on how it is used; Finance said it would consider that request. Item 7 focused on the 2026-27 biodiversity and nature-based solutions spending plan. Finance and the Wildlife Conservation Board described the climate bond funding for habitat restoration, wildlife crossings, public access, tribal nature-based solutions, and related work, including $111 million proposed for WCB and $30 million for Salton Sea habitat and public access projects. The LAO supported the overall approach but flagged the San Andreas Corridor Program as an area where the Legislature may want to specify geographic priorities. Members discussed the pace of Salton Sea work and whether the proposed projects would count toward disadvantaged community goals. Item 8 addressed Cal Fire’s aviation contract and staffing needs for wildfire response. Cal Fire said year-round fire activity, a larger and more complex aircraft fleet, and labor market pressures justified the proposed contract increase, including more mechanics, pilots, and maintenance support. The LAO recommended approval, saying the proposal addressed health and safety concerns. Members asked about contractor staffing, competition in the bidding process, and future technology for early fire detection and suppression. The committee then took up item 1 on golden mussel containment. Fish and Wildlife described the invasive species’ spread in the Delta, the task force and response framework, and a request for eight new positions funded by Prop. 4 to support control plans, outreach, monitoring, research, and coordination with partners and law enforcement. Members pressed the department on whether the state should fund more direct decontamination infrastructure and grants to local water managers, and on the realistic goal of containing the mussel. The chair and several members emphasized the urgency of the threat and requested an itemized breakdown of the $20 million request. The hearing then moved to a broader LAO overview of wildfire prevention and response funding, where the LAO summarized the state’s funding mix and warned that ongoing wildfire resilience funding will likely decline as one-time bond and GGRF funds are exhausted, prompting discussion of long-term funding options and the balance between prevention, suppression, and community hardening.

Transcript Highlights:

• As was previously testified, DHS did do a study regarding keys using a surface testing method.
• test, meaning it only analyzes the surface content of an object.
• The surface needs to be representative of the entire volume of the sample.
• regarding um Keys uh using a surface regarding um Keys uh using a surface testing<00:31:22.120><
• > an analyzes the surface content of an analyzes the surface content of an object object object and

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, during periods of intense drought, municipalities often restrict residential water use, making
• However, during periods of intense drought, municipalities often restrict residential water use, making
• Eligible air, water, and waste permits.
• I believe that his bill is just scratching the surface of the issues that should be addressed.
• Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs will meet at 6:35 p.m. in E1.012.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the tax exemption for residential water services was enacted in 1979.
• And then the tax exemption for residential water services was enacted in 1979.
• And then the tax exemption for residential water services was enacted in 1979.
• And then the tax exemption for residential water services was enacted in 1979.
• hot water and then the one for water hot water and then the one for water services<00:15:50.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A holistic system of farming practices aimed at improving soil health, water retention, and water quality
• This prevents the rain from directly hitting the soil, allows absorption of that water, and again, I
• Invest in solutions that restore soil, conserve water, and empower producers. Thank you.
• Reduces water use. Improves drought resilience.
• So, we have to figure out how to conserve water as Texas farmers. countermeasure to drought.

Bills: HB3032, HB3434, HB3574, HB5339, HB5646

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We're convening the Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts on our 2:00 p.m. agenda here in State
• as an authority, move forward to kind of address, in my opinion, the most divisive issue that has surfaced
• that<00:10:21.680> has the most divisive issue that has the most divisive issue that has surfaced
• surfaced during my lifetime. surfaced during my lifetime.
• We're reconvening the Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts on our 2:00 p.m. agenda here in

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts held a confirmation hearing on GM 742 for John Komeiji, the gubernatorial nominee to serve as chairperson of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority through 6/30/2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. The executive director of the authority, representatives of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation and the Mauna Kea observatories, and authority member Noenoe Wong-Wilson all praised Komeiji’s leadership, describing him as fair, transparent, steady, and effective at building trust and relationships among stakeholders. Chris Matsuda also supported the nomination, citing Komeiji’s presence at community workshops, his neutral facilitation of public discussion, and his careful handling of the authority’s work on observatory leases and the comprehensive EIS. In his remarks, Komeiji described the authority’s work as implementing Act 255 by building a new state agency, developing a master plan, drafting rules and regulations, and beginning the process for a comprehensive environmental impact statement related to observatory leases. He said the authority is trying to balance community voice, cultural and spiritual concerns, and the state’s policy supporting astronomy. He also discussed staffing and recruitment challenges, saying the authority is repurposing positions, using special project positions, and looking for creative ways to recruit qualified staff despite the controversy surrounding Mauna Kea. He noted that the authority is working through asset transfers from UH, managing operational needs, and addressing a projected $4 million federal funding gap affecting CMS. Members asked about timelines, contingency planning, staffing capacity, and financial sustainability. Komeiji said the authority is on track for the master plan and EIS, but would return to the legislature if delays require more time. He acknowledged that no detailed contingency plans have been developed yet for possible IT or other implementation problems, but said the board is continuing to monitor progress. He also said the authority is accelerating contracts to encumber funds while available and expects to cover planned EIS and master plan consultant costs if funding remains at current levels. After discussion, the committee voted to advise and consent; the chair and acting vice chair voted aye, with excused absences noted for Senators Inouye, Chang, and Lamosao. The measure was adopted and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just want to ensure and be on the record that we are ensuring that the water issues that come with
• But also, we don't expect to have these massive water-cooled systems.
• So we do expect that the quantum systems will not have the same draw and negative impact on our water
• Ivory said, we're not going to need massive water cooling like we see with AI centers.
• And so we supported two programs in southern New Mexico, both in Dona Ana County, working with water

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill protects Florida's public waters from excessive crowding of moored vessels and provides for
• HB 1457 defines regional stormwater management systems and water quality enhancement areas. Rep.
• Overdorf: a geographic description or within the same service area for water quality.
• This basically says if I go into an agreement with you to provide a water enhancement Rep.
• Overdorf: area, it is my responsibility to maintain your obligation of enhanced water quality.

Transcript Highlights:

• Roots. 2, minimizing soil disturbance. 3, rotating crops. 4, protecting soil surfaces, 4, integrating
• Facilitates partnerships between institutions and local soil and water conservation districts.
• This prevents the rain from directly hitting the soil, allows absorption of that water, and again, I
• It aims to help farmers and ranchers of all sizes improve soil health, retain water, reduce reliance
• So we have to figure out how to conserve water as Texas farmers. So I like to use the term.