Video & Transcript Research : 'Committee on Alabama Monument Protection'

Page 64 of 500
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part I) Mar 27th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Will the clerk call the roll?
  • on each of those bills.
  • As a result of court rulings, we have had multiple laws on our books protecting unborn life, but not
  • The Texas Supreme Court also provided clarity on the state of the law to protect women facing medical
  • So Committee on State Affairs stands in recess until 30 minutes after adjournment or final recess of
HI
Keywords: HI House YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N7FrcNPBzc, 2026-07-02T01:22:43+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, House Agenda: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_HLT-HUS_02-10-23_.pdf Followed by ECD-HLT 9:05am Agenda: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_ECD-HLT_02-10-23_.pdf Then followed by HLT-ECD 9:10am Agenda: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_HLT-ECD_02-10-23_.pdf Then followed by HLT 10:00am Agenda: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_HLT_02-10-23_.pdf Then followed by HSG-HLT 11:15am Agenda: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_HSG-HLT_02-10-23_.pdf Then followed by HLT-HSG 11:20am Agenda: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_HLT-HSG_02-10-23_.pdf Then followed by HLT 11:30am Decision Making: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_HLT_02-10-23_2_.pdf Timestamps: 13:27 - Introduction to HLT/HUS 9:00AM 14:12 - HB897 18:19 - HB900 23:15 - HB1308 33:41 - HB1309 ------- 49:31 - Introduction to ECD/HLT 9:05AM 49:45 - HB1050 ------- 58:13 - Introduction to HLT/ECD 9:10AM 58:21 - HB662 ------- 1:14:04 - Reconvene on HLT/HUS 9:00AM 1:14:40 - HB1309 (cont'd) 1:16:56 - HB1488 1:21:07 - HB1491 ------- 1:40:10 - Introduction to HLT 10:00AM 1:40:24 - HB180 1:43:47 - HB440 1:47:59 - HB1396 1:50:32 - HB378 ------- 2:00:13 - Decision Making on ECD/HLT 9:05AM ------- 2:02:51 - Decision Making on HLT/ECD 9:10AM ------- 2:05:05 - Reconvene on HLT 10:00AM 2:05:14 - HB378 (cont'd) 2:26:29 - HB882 2:27:19 - HB1337 2:42:57 - HB1296 2:44:08 - HB322 2:46:08 - HB519 2:56:45 - HB617 ------- 2:58:37 - Introduction to HSG/HLT 11:15AM 2:58:51 - HB671 3:01:47 - HB1397 3:05:24 - Decision Making on HSG/HLT 11:15AM ------- 3:10:14 - Introduction to HLT/HSG 11:20AM Joint 3:10:21 - HB788 3:10:54 - Decision Making on HLT/HSG 11:20AM ------- 3:10:59 - Reconvene on HLT 10:00AM 3:11:04 - HB617 (cont'd) 3:13:37 - HB885 3:14:20 - HB884 3:15:20 - Decision Making HLT 10:00AM (deferred to 2/15/23) ------- 3:17:05 - Decision Making on HLT/HUS 9:00AM ------- 3:21:48 - HLT 11:30AM (Decision Making for HB278), 910, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 17th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Rules will now come to order. Cindy, please call the roll. Here. Vice Chair Jones?
  • I was a supervisor where I used to live in Wisconsin, and I was on several committees, one of which was
  • I was a supervisor where I used to live in Wisconsin, and I was on several committees, one of which was
  • I think every last one of us on this committee can agree that if there is anybody who is showing pornography
  • The first committee stop was through her committee, and we're working on some amendments.
Summary: The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and considered a long agenda of bills, many of them retained from the prior week. The most debated measure was CS for SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designate Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport, subject to FAA approval and a trademark agreement. Amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to prevent private financial benefit from the naming. Several senators spoke in opposition, citing concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and the trademark/licensing arrangement; supporters argued there was no cost to the airport and that the bill simply set a state naming policy. The committee reported the bill favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements, CS for CS for SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, CS for SB 1500 on uncontested probate proceedings, SB 962 on excluding farms from certain zoning definitions, and CS for SB 820 on problem-solving court reporting requirements. The committee then approved several bills from Senator DiCeglie and Senator Arrington. SB 840, addressing land-use regulations for local governments affected by natural disasters, was supported by local-government and environmental advocates who said it would restore local control after SB 180’s hurricane-related restrictions; the sponsor said it was intended to correct unintended consequences of last year’s law. CS for SB 856, requiring online listing platforms to show estimated ad valorem taxes on residential listings, was amended to exclude social media platforms and broaden liability protections; the sponsor and a county property appraiser described it as a consumer-transparency measure. CS for SB 110, clarifying homestead exemption treatment for long-term leases that end at death, was also reported favorably. The committee took up a controversial strike-all amendment to SB 212, which focused on public swimming pools and added residency and related restrictions for certain sex offenders and offenders on community control or probation. The amendment drew strong opposition from advocates and affected families, who argued it would worsen homelessness, impose broad geographic restrictions, and lack evidence of improving child safety; supporters said it was a targeted public-safety measure. Despite the objections, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicle and vessel titles, SB 394 on reinsurance intermediary managers, SB 434 on property tax assessment treatment for wind-hardening improvements, CS for CS for SBs 658 and 608 on water-safety requirements for rental properties with pools or nearby water, SB 748 on adding voting-rights restoration information to sentencing score sheets, and CS for SB 824 requiring school districts to inventory unimproved real property. The meeting ended while the committee was beginning SB 848 on stormwater treatment, with an amendment being introduced as the transcript cut off.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • >> The Appropriations Committee on Pre K 12 education to come to order and please call the roll Chair
  • We're rolling out the Senate version of the budget and before you is the Appropriations Committee on
  • Also want to thank each of you on our committee for your input over the past couple months.
  • We lived here on a court on a border with another state, my district borders, Alabama. >> And I believe
  • it or not, we have Alabama people who, you know, come on down over the line and sign up for for the
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Committee on Local Government will come to order.
  • Seeing none, we'll open up public testimony on the committee substitute to House Bill 2149.
  • Any questions for Senator Hughes on the committee substitute for House Bill 24?
  • One is a half of a bill that we already heard here in committee.
  • With that, we will begin public testimony on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 3071.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Local Government will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
  • Six ayes, one no.
  • We got one more hold on. Hold on, we have one issue that we have in the meantime.
  • I want to tell you all that this is the number one committee passing House bills in the Senate, okay?
  • Hang on one second, hold on. That's the wrong script for HB 4205 and HB 3687. Hold on, we had two.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 18th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Bills: HR286, HR287, HR288, HR289, HR290, HR291, HR292, HR293, HR294, HCR114, HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR282, HR283, HR284, HR285, HCR112, HCR113, SCR62, SCR64, SB132, SB135, SB405, HR179, HR216, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, SB39, SB99, SB111, SB112, SB124, SB134, SB174, SB189, SB190, SB201, SB233, SB236, SB258, SB270, SB273, SB288, SB307, SB313, SB320, SB321, SB325, SB326, SB331, SB339, SB341, SB345, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB357, SB359, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB419, SB422, SB426, SB435, SB437, SB440, SB451, SB464, SB470, SB487, SB488, SB495, SB504, SB505, SB518, SB523, SB228, SB408, HR168, HR174, HR194, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR102, HCR104, SCR23, SCR38, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB75, HB705, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, SCR3, HB582, HB625, HB646, HB998, HB1191, HB1255, SB81, SB100, SB109, SB197, SB374, SB479, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB149, SB382, SB441
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 18th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Privileged report from the Committee on Enrollment.
  • The Committee on Enrollment reports that a number of House concurrent resolutions, House resolutions,
  • House Resolution 179 by Representative Marcelle, to request the House Committee on Municipal Affairs
  • on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources regarding boating safety.
  • Court, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the chairman of the Senate Committee on the other side
Bills: HR286, HR287, HR288, HR289, HR290, HR291, HR292, HR293, HR294, HCR114, HR275, HR276, HR277, HR278, HR279, HR280, HR282, HR283, HR284, HR285, HCR112, HCR113, SCR62, SCR64, SB132, SB135, SB405, HR179, HR216, HR223, HR225, HR274, HCR89, SB39, SB99, SB111, SB112, SB124, SB134, SB174, SB189, SB190, SB201, SB233, SB236, SB258, SB270, SB273, SB288, SB307, SB313, SB320, SB321, SB325, SB326, SB331, SB339, SB341, SB345, SB346, SB347, SB353, SB357, SB359, SB387, SB393, SB401, SB415, SB419, SB422, SB426, SB435, SB437, SB440, SB451, SB464, SB470, SB487, SB488, SB495, SB504, SB505, SB518, SB523, SB228, SB408, HR168, HR174, HR194, HCR54, HCR74, HCR79, HCR87, HCR94, HCR95, HCR97, HCR98, HCR102, HCR104, SCR23, SCR38, HCR26, HB250, HB265, HB339, HB427, HB445, HB463, HB468, HB606, HB639, HB649, HB665, HB746, HB781, HB853, HB861, HB872, HB886, HB916, HB937, HB1054, HB1068, HB1117, HB1237, HB75, HB705, SB34, SB164, SB172, SB198, SB208, SB232, SB281, SB286, SB317, SB322, SB334, SB380, SB385, SB409, SB417, SB421, SB430, SB439, SB447, SB458, SB510, SB54, SB56, SB72, SB79, SB97, SB105, SB123, SB125, SB129, SB163, SB171, SB252, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB461, SB466, HR84, SCR3, HB582, HB625, HB646, HB998, HB1191, HB1255, SB81, SB100, SB109, SB197, SB374, SB479, SB78, HB901, HR20, HR74, HCR65, HCR71, HB284, HB302, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1240, SB82, SB89, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB782, SB149, SB382, SB441
Summary: The House met with a quorum, received a guest minister for prayer, approved the journal, and heard several announcements and recognitions, including NEC Awareness Day, a European Union delegation visit, and the Glenmore Wildcats baseball team’s state championship. Members also received Senate messages, including concurrence on some House measures, the filing of Senate bills, and several Senate resolutions and bills laid over for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long series of resolutions and bills. Among the resolutions adopted were measures on a Louisiana-United Kingdom Trade Commission, support for migratory waterfowl studies, hunting education in schools, SNAP delivery-fee studies, fraud prevention for seniors, subsurface data preservation, boating safety reporting, and visual acuity screening data. Some items were temporarily returned to the calendar, including a sales-tax uniform-base rule resolution and several Senate measures. The House also adopted a resolution creating an agricultural national security task force and another supporting a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. On legislation, the House passed bills on missing-person alerts for people with disabilities (“Brian’s Call”), first responder status for public works employees, planning commission procedures, historic preservation district rules, judges’ supplemental compensation, the Baker Economic Development District, New Orleans downtown development district tax authority, a local crime prevention district, clerks of court records, hotel occupancy taxes in Shreveport-Bossier, firefighter cancer screenings, Shreveport police civil service rules, local ethics entity funding, hemp/alcohol age restrictions, OMV digital signatures, LED recreation, TOPS Tech eligibility for veterans, anatomical gift recordkeeping, crypto kiosk fraud protections, firefighting foam definitions, and consumer data privacy. Several bills failed, including HB 705 on legislative contempt penalties and HB 75 on gaming promotional play. One bill on vehicle insurance reinstatement fees was amended and passed, and a bill on judicial compensation fund adjustments was amended and passed after questions about CPI indexing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Will the clerk call the roll?
  • The committee's substitute for HB 796 would establish... ...a permanent joint legislative committee on
  • On page six, line 22, in section 394.0.003, Committee Review of Federal Action, subsection C, when reviewed
  • It is, 707 was rolled into this committee substitute, and I'll be glad to Work with you on this, because
  • If there's no other business, the Committee on State Affairs stands in recess, and we will be coming
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The committee on state affairs will come to order.
  • Can we please focus on protecting the lives of children in Texas?
  • Committee members, any questions for our colleague on House Bill 229?
  • Members of the committee, any questions for any of our witnesses on this panel?
  • We deserve to be protected against discrimination on the basis of our sex and identity.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) May 15th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on State Affairs will come to order. The Chair lays out House Bill 186.
  • Can we please focus on protecting the lives of children in Texas?
  • Committee members, any questions for our colleague on House Bill 229? Very well.
  • Members of the committee, any questions for any of our witnesses on this panel?
  • We deserve to be protected against discrimination on the basis of our sex and identity.
Summary: The committee took up House Bill 186, which would require social media platforms to verify users are 18 or older before allowing account creation. Invited witnesses in support, including Mary Elizabeth Castle and David Dunmoyer, argued the bill would protect children from harmful algorithms, addictive design, bullying, sexual exploitation, and mental health harms, and emphasized parental rights and the idea that minors should not enter binding contracts with platforms. Committee members questioned them about how algorithms work, whether parents could realistically monitor content, and whether the bill would still allow educational use; the witnesses said the bill was narrowly aimed at harmful social media use and not educational content. Public testimony on HB 186 was largely in opposition, though several student witnesses said they supported the bill’s goals but wanted the age lowered to 16 or the bill amended to allow parental consent or joint accounts. Opponents argued the bill would be ineffective because teens could bypass age checks, would cut off access to educational tools, school communications, recruiting and NIL opportunities, and would burden free speech and privacy. Some witnesses also said social media helps teens with mental health, community, and creative or professional opportunities, while others warned the bill could disproportionately harm disabled and marginalized users. After public testimony closed, HB 186 was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 5138, which Chairman Hughes said would respond to a court ruling limiting the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes unless invited by local prosecutors by changing the statute to require AG prosecution. Public testimony on HB 5138 was brief and opposed by at least one witness who argued it would further erode local control and expand state preemption. The bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3225, a library bill aimed at keeping sexually explicit books and materials out of children’s sections in municipal libraries and requiring age verification for checkout, including digital access, with parental consent and other revisions added in the House. Supporters said the bill would protect children from explicit material and keep such content in adult sections, while opponents argued it would amount to censorship, be costly and difficult to implement, and could be used to target LGBTQ+ or other marginalized content. Library workers, parents, students, and advocates testified that existing library sections already separate age-appropriate materials and that the bill could reduce access to books, burden libraries, and infringe on parental choice and free expression.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Apr 17th, 2025 at 10:04 am

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Committee on Elections will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Chair Shaheen.
  • She is referring to the committee substitute. I don't see there's one in front of us.
  • So for these reasons, I would urge the committee to vote yes on the bill.
  • As you are all aware, serving on this committee, one of the requirements to be eligible to be a voter
  • I was pretty shocked at one of our other committee hearings where someone testified that on a different
Summary: The committee first voted out two previously heard Senate bills without amendment: SB 688, relating to the date of the meeting of presidential electors, and SB 914, relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date of their general election for officers. Both motions passed on 8-0 votes with one member absent. The committee then heard HB 3909, which would change the current prohibition on wireless device use from a 100-foot boundary around a voting station to only inside the room where voting is taking place, with a committee substitute also adding state-prescribed signage. The author and supporters said the change would reduce confusion and make enforcement easier for election workers, while opponents argued the existing 100-foot rule helps prevent electioneering, recording, and possible technical interference with election equipment. The bill was left pending. Members also heard HB 1968, which would repeal a provision that requires counties to provide election services to certain political subdivisions in odd-numbered years but not even-numbered years, making county-provided election services consistent across years. Supporters said it would improve consistency for smaller cities and school districts, while opponents warned it could strain county equipment and staffing during heavy election cycles. The bill was left pending. HB 2279 would require voter registrars to remove a person from the rolls if the person swears under oath during jury service that they are not a U.S. citizen; supporters said this would streamline removal of ineligible voters, while opponents raised concerns about mistaken identity and loss of due process. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 2803, which would require a presiding judge to give a poll watcher a signed statement explaining any removal from service. Supporters said this would improve documentation and accountability, and one witness asked for clarification that improper removal would remain a criminal offense; the author said he would consider a floor amendment and further discussion. The committee also heard HB 4253, which would create a more uniform voter-roll maintenance process based on inactivity, sending confirmation notices to voters who have not voted in the prior 25 months and eventually removing those who do not respond after multiple election cycles. Supporters said it would clean up outdated records and help keep voters registered where they actually live, while opponents argued it could wrongly remove eligible voters who simply do not vote regularly. HB 4253 was left pending as well.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 2/27/25

State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's no defined contingency if the committee can't agree on electing committee members.
  • I don't serve on the K12 committees but I don't serve on the K12 committees but it<00:57:53.680> doesn't
  • on each committee subject topic, right?
  • Why not a mandate on this committee? This one?
  • 06.719> one a mandate on this committee this one a mandate on this committee this one you're you're
Bills: HF550, HF412, HF796, HF140
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/24/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • All right, the Committee on Commerce is called to order. Secretary, please note the roll.
  • You might have member voting on either in committee and/or on the floor.
  • I want to be sure that everyone on the committee is clear.
  • I want to be sure that everyone on the committee is clear that, one, the bill does not change what can
  • I can tell you that a few members on this committee have been on our stakeholder calls or in our meetings
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WLA-AEN Public Hearing 02-11-2026

Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, Mihokoito, on behalf of the Kahana Bay Steering Committee.
  • Nicole Galassi on of the committee.
  • Second. >> Chair’s recommendation on the committee on Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts on SB 237: pass
  • > culture<02:00:29.679> and on committee on waterland culture and on committee on waterland
  • committee on water, land, >> for the committee on water, land, culture,<02:03:58.080> and
Summary: The committees heard testimony on several measures related to wildlife, conservation, shoreline adaptation, and climate governance. On SB 2606, which would establish the Freshwater State Recreational Area Wildlife Sanctuary Corporation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said it had concerns about employee eligibility and was not yet prepared to comment further on the bill’s ramifications. After testimony ended, a senator asked DLNR to follow up with more detail, and the department said it would relay the questions to leadership and respond later. No vote was taken on the measure during the excerpt. On SB 3253, which would create the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to work with DLNR, the department said it supported the bill. In discussion, DLNR said Hawaii has not done anything like this before, described a similar model in New Zealand, and estimated that developing such a sanctuary could cost millions of dollars. Members also discussed whether the concept would fit with existing efforts such as Hakalau, and DLNR said the bill could apply to private or state lands depending on the site. No action was taken. The most extensive discussion was on SB 237, which would expand state and county authority to develop adaptation pathways for relocating infrastructure away from sea level rise and coastal flooding areas. DLNR supported the bill, saying it prioritizes public trust resources over economic development or private property. The Kahana Bay Steering Committee and the Shoreline Preservation Coalition opposed the measure, arguing it was too focused on managed retreat and should include a broader range of shoreline responses, such as erosion mitigation, groins, sand nourishment, and other interim protections. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it appreciated the bill’s intent but wanted broader language that would allow more tools in the toolbox. Members debated whether retreat is inevitable, whether different shorelines require different approaches, and whether the bill should be more flexible. No vote was taken. The final measure discussed was SB 3252, which would amend the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, create a coordinator position, and appropriate funds. The commission’s coordinator testified in support, while OPSD opposed the bill, saying it would remove the two cabinet-level co-chair positions, raise accountability concerns, and duplicate some of OPSD’s functions. In questioning, members debated whether the current commission structure has been effective, who would appoint or confirm the coordinator, and whether the bill would improve transparency and implementation. OPSD said it supported more statewide interdepartmental funding for climate planning and staffing, but had concerns about the proposed governance changes. No vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/27/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee on Commerce is called to order. The Secretary, please note the roll. Welcome, everyone.
  • We are kind of waiting for other people who are in committees on some of these bills, so we're jumping
  • Chairman, members of the committee. Barry Arons, on behalf of the Arizona Travel Association.
  • I urge the committee to vote no on HB 2690, and I thank you for your time.
  • Oh, yeah, come on. Hi. Hi. Thank you, Chair, Committee. My name is Kelly McGowan.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 5th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • OK, Senate Water Committee on Agricultural, Water, Rural Affairs, come to order.
  • I'm testifying on the bill only because I have not seen the committee substitute yet.
  • I'm testifying on the bill only because I have not seen the committee substitute yet.
  • Um, there is a committee substitute. Chairman Perry is recognized on the committee.
  • Chairman Perry is recognized on the committee substitute.
Summary: The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Committee on State Affairs will come to order. Good afternoon.
  • No one will protect you. That's all. What country won't protect you? Thank you for your testimony.
  • , the committee decide what to do about sending one to the floor. or, very well, good idea.
  • We're going to vote on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 2429.
  • Time should be spent on bills that actually protect women.