Transcript Highlights:

• and a list of all water projects active to date—314 active water projects.
• I will make a note on water supply. Rural water bucket is 90% obligated.
• We conduct an inventory across the state of water systems, water projects, future water needs, and come
• Dakota Rural Water.
• They have pretty broad authority in statute to manage water from surface water, water quality, water

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I will make a note on water supply. Rural water bucket is 90% obligated.
• We conduct an inventory across the state of water systems, water projects, future water needs, and come
• And they have pretty broad authority in statute to manage water from surface water, water quality, water
• They have authority to manage water from surface water, water quality, water quantity, and they even
• My water—so this is just water only.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• water reserve.
• Because if I owned any water rights along the way and had adjudicated water rights, my water rights are
• store water.
• If we have 25% less water coming in, if we have a lot less water, there's less water that has to be delivered
• water rights can make a call on water.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill added water... waste water reuse projects, the acquisition of water or water rights that originate
• Can't live without water. Humans can't live without water. Hit man without water.
• the water. majority of that water.
• going to ground water. water.
• law. types of water, surface water and ground water.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from Rubio Canyon Land and Water Association, sought to assist with turning off water services at the
• network of 21 water agencies.
• Roland Water District is a founding member of the Public Water Agency. Let's see. nation.
• network of 21 water agencies.
• Company, Walnut Valley Water District, and Pico Water District.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• water plans, and that rolls up to the state water plan.
• and that's the harder water to develop, not fresh water.
• going to supply water to, and their own water wells.
• We've got Brushy Creek Water... going to supply water to you and their own water wells.
• and its management must be part of the Texas water strategy, all waters, not just surface water.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clean waters for wastewater storm water reuse and then of course drinking water. for our drinking water
• innovative water projects like D cell, produced water, aquifer storage and recovery, out-of-state water
• source water for our public water systems.
• water notice staff work closely with public water system to rescind the boil water notice when a system
• water.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my small business, which uses water—we do abrasive water jet cutting—uses water.
• So my small business, which uses water—we do abrasive water jet cutting—uses water.
• water.
• Water.
• and lost water.

Summary: The committee began by announcing that House Bill 2094 would be held and not heard that day, then received a lengthy update from Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzky on Colorado River negotiations and post-2026 operating rules. He described Arizona’s legal position, the basin’s water allocations, current shortages, conservation efforts, and the state’s view that the Upper Basin should share more of the reductions and move more water from reservoirs above Lake Powell to Lake Mead. Members asked about tourism, recreation, tribal water rights, public outreach, and the role of the state’s delegation and the federal government. Buschatzky said Arizona has already made major conservation cuts and that further reductions are likely, whether by agreement or federal action, and emphasized ongoing negotiations and public meetings. The committee then heard House Bill 2758, which would expand McMullen Valley groundwater transfer rules to allow eligible entities, including private water companies, to withdraw and transport groundwater under specified conditions, with ADWR oversight and reporting requirements. Supporters argued the bill would provide a lawful, regulated way to move water for urban growth and housing needs, while opponents from La Paz County and rural advocacy groups said it would accelerate aquifer depletion, harm private wells, and benefit a New York hedge fund at the expense of local residents. After debate over guardrails, stakeholder outreach, and the impact on rural communities, the committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed HB 2758 as amended on a 6-4 due-pass vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 2098, which revises bonding authority and public hearing notification requirements for county water augmentation authorities and allows such authorities to enter into local repayment agreements with WIFA. Pinal County officials and related stakeholders testified in support, saying the changes would help the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority finance future water and infrastructure projects, including possible augmentation efforts tied to Bartlett Dam, and would clean up statutory language to match the authority’s needs. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2098, before any committee vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of what you hear about water is about water rights.
• About water permits and about water contracts. They're not about managing our wet water.
• The capital outlay went to water projects, millions to the Water Research Institute for state water plan
• Water today.
• But when they get to use unlimited water, unmetered water, unadjudicated water, and we've got everybody

Transcript Highlights:

• pull the water level down and drive water towards your well.
• Groundwater is the source water for many public water systems.
• TCEQ and public water systems monitor drinking water to ensure drinking water quality standards are met
• It includes water use data from the water use survey. It includes water budget information.
• , unclear water?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Across the state, the water board and water users are working hard to address water challenges in every
• Water board and water users are working hard to address water challenges in every basin.
• I'm the Boise River Water Master with Water District 63.
• We pay for that water.
• The water right is what it is, and we're not exceeding any of these water rights.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on Idaho water infrastructure and management projects funded through state and federal programs. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association opened by describing statewide water challenges and arguing that recent legislative investments are helping water users address aging infrastructure, drought, and changing demand before curtailment becomes necessary. Several water districts then described specific projects, including the Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District’s $21 million Ridenbaugh headworks replacement, the Boise River Water Master’s Treasure Valley Water Supply Project to improve monitoring and modeling of declining return flows, the Twin Falls Canal Company’s canal lining and automation work, Bingham Groundwater District’s monitoring wells and groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, and Fremont-Madison Irrigation District’s telemetry, pipeline replacement, canal automation, and related projects. Members asked questions about costs, timelines, seepage, aquifer impacts, and whether lining canals reduces recharge, and presenters generally emphasized intentional water management, mitigation, and the need to balance surface and groundwater systems. The committee then took up rule dockets. It approved the revised Shoshone-Bannock tribal water supply bank rules after testimony from the Department of Water Resources and a tribal representative, with the department explaining that the revisions were developed through consultation and public comment and would streamline and clarify the rules while preserving the tribe’s ability to lease and rent stored water. The committee also approved revised stream channel alteration rules, which the department said would update definitions, add standards for permanent structures, rock riprap planting, and bioengineering, and remove outdated or duplicative language while preserving expedited review for common projects. In both cases, members asked brief clarifying questions, and the rules were adopted by motion without opposition. The committee then deferred the third rule docket to another day and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Drinking Water Act.
• and the Drinking Water Act.
• and the Drinking Water Act.
• That is a huge number of water.
• Again, easy to say Arizona needs more water, but what does that mean? Who needs more water?

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from Rubio Canyon Land and Water Association, sought to assist with turning off water services at the
• Rowland Water District is a founding member of the Public Water Agencies Group, a regional mutual aid
• network of 21 water agencies.
• Company, Walnut Valley Water District, and Pico Water District.
• Public water systems are designed to provide customers with safe and reliable drinking water.

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee held its first meeting and adopted committee rules for the 2025-26 session. The committee heard SB 1001, which would require the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to issue identification cards for essential utility workers so they can more easily access evacuation zones during emergencies. The author and supporters, including Rowland Water District and the Association of California Water Agencies Joint Powers Insurance Authority, said the bill was prompted by delays during the Eaton Fire, when utility crews in marked vehicles were denied access despite having authorization. Members generally supported the bill as a practical way to improve coordination between utilities, law enforcement, and incident command during disasters. The bill was voted out on a do-pass motion to the Senate Public Safety Committee. The committee also heard SB 1153, which would require urban retail water suppliers in high-risk areas to include wildfire-specific procedures in emergency response plans and make findings clarifying the role and limits of public water systems during wildfires. The author and witnesses from water agencies argued that public water systems are not designed to function as wildfire suppression systems and that the bill would improve planning while addressing growing liability exposure after major fires. Senator Perez raised concerns about balancing liability reform with accountability and the need for future infrastructure hardening, and the Vice Chair emphasized that the bill should not create a hollow safe harbor. The author accepted committee amendments clarifying that negligence liability remains intact, and the bill was moved out as amended to the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. A consent item, SB 870, was also approved. After roll calls were completed and absent members later voted, all three measures passed the committee 8-0. SB 1020 was pulled from the hearing for a future date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Across the state, the water board and water users are working hard to address water challenges in every
• I'm the Boise River Water Master with Water District 63.
• the water.
• We pay for that water.
• The water right is what it is, and we're not exceeding any of these water rights.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on Idaho water infrastructure and management projects funded through state and federal grants. Paul Arrington of the Idaho Water Users Association opened by describing statewide water challenges and emphasizing that recent legislative investments are being paired with private dollars to address aging infrastructure, improve reliability, and avoid future curtailment. He introduced presentations focused on Boise River Basin projects and Eastern Snake River Plain settlement-related work. Lori Gray of Nampa Meridian Irrigation District described a $21 million Ridenbaugh headworks replacement project near Barber Dam and Barber Park. She said the project will replace 1930s-era infrastructure, improve employee safety, increase delivery reliability, improve efficiency, and include fish screens, automated crest gates, and an OG weir. She outlined funding from a state aging infrastructure grant, a regional water sustainability grant, and federal WaterSMART funds, and gave a schedule showing work through 2026 and 2027. Daniel Hoke of Water District 63 presented the Treasure Valley Water Supply Project, which is using new monitoring, modeling, and forecasting to track declining drain return flows in the Boise River Basin and develop mitigation options, including a planned Fifteen Mile drain project to stabilize return flows. Jay Barlowji of Twin Falls Canal Company described a large canal lining and automation effort to reduce seepage, improve delivery efficiency, and add real-time monitoring at return-flow sites; he said the project totals about $26.3 million and is about two-thirds complete. Alan Jackson of Bingham Groundwater District discussed groundwater-to-surface-water conversions, a district-owned drill rig and planned monitoring wells, and annual mitigation water purchases under the settlement agreement. Aaron Dowling of Fremont-Madison Irrigation District described telemetry for groundwater meters, a pipeline replacement, a long-running North Fremont Canal pipeline project, automation that has increased reservoir storage, and smaller canal-company infrastructure upgrades. The committee then took up two rule dockets from the Idaho Department of Water Resources. It approved docket 37-0204-2501, revising the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Water Bank rules, after Mary Condon explained that the changes were the product of consultation with the tribes and stakeholders and mainly removed outdated or unnecessary provisions while clarifying rental applications, payments, and terms. Haley Johnson Wasco testified for the tribes in support. The committee also approved docket 37-0307-2501, revising stream channel alteration rules, after Aaron Gollart explained that the changes streamline the rules, add definitions and standards for bridges, culverts, permanent structures, rock riprap, and bioengineering, and reduce the overall word count. A third rule docket was postponed to another day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's more water systems than there are water treatment plants.
• So there's more water systems than there are water treatment plants.
• system or a surface water or source water, what the water quality is based on work that we do.
• c> here</c><00:16:06.560><c> at</c> quality water high quality water here at quality water high quality
• of water.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the minutes, and brief remarks, including birthday recognition for Representative Maseroni and a moment of reflection for a soldier who died during training at Fort Knox. The committee then heard a presentation from Tony Hatton, commissioner of the Department for Environmental Protection and acting director of the Kentucky Division of Water, with Amanda Lefer, deputy commissioner, on the state’s water and wastewater programs and planning. Hatton described Kentucky’s water resources and the Division of Water’s responsibilities, including watershed and nonpoint source work, KPDES discharge permitting, PFAS response, engineering review of water infrastructure, inspections, public outreach, and sampling. He said Kentucky has 428 public water systems, 263 water treatment plants, about 1.9 million service connections, and nearly 97% of the population has access to municipally treated water. He also noted that the state has 43 systems receiving awards for EPA areawide optimization and emphasized operator training, regionalization, and use of GIS mapping and Kentucky Infrastructure Authority data to support planning and funding decisions. Members raised concerns about aging infrastructure, water loss, staffing shortages, and wastewater problems in local systems. Representative Blandon described severe failures in a city system, including major water loss and sewer backups, and asked whether the state could intervene; Hatton said the division inspects treatment facilities and provides compliance assistance but is not authorized to manage delivery systems, though third-party help and emergency funding can be used in some cases. Senator Smith and others shared similar experiences with line loss and system failures, while Hatton pointed to regionalization and funding support as the main tools available. The discussion also highlighted PFAS as an emerging issue, with Hatton saying the department is working with systems to meet anticipated federal requirements by 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• may</c><00:09:02.480><c> be</c> water storm water systems may be water storm water systems may be unintentionally
• water, surface water is recognized storm water, surface water is a<00:54:24.240><c> problem,</c><00:
• and water quality and water quantity.
• If the water is or stored water.
• 36:48.960><c> water</c> must submit a water supply and water must submit a water supply and water yield

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 2.10 this is to uh create a uh water 2.10 this is to uh create a uh water Atlas<00:00:55.800><c>
• There are parts of our state where we don't have large amounts of water, and if we've got large water
• need for fresh water over time.
• need for fresh water over time.
• need for fresh water over time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The basins that are not shaded do have water districts to administer surface water.
• supply. administer water.
• rights, adjudication, planning, technical services, and the water master of Water District 1.
• Of course, it depends on the water year and how much water runs off. Another one? Go ahead.
• Coalition's water supply.

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee met to consider several RS drafts and receive agency updates. The committee introduced RS 33151, described as a federalism bill intended to clarify state and federal roles in Idaho code; RS 33217, which would clarify distribution of the big game depredation fund so remaining money is paid pro rata to farmers and ranchers; RS 33284, proposing hunting as Idaho’s state sport; and RS 33287 C1, a revised version of a prior bill related to notice language and fish and game issues. RS 313185 was removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request. The committee also approved pending rule docket 24-3501-2501 for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. The committee then heard an extensive update from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses. Officials said the division now oversees more than 259,000 licenses across 44 boards and three safety programs, has consolidated offices and systems to improve efficiency, and is moving toward two-year renewals and more function-based organization. They also outlined upcoming executive legislation on controlled substances, board consolidations, and unified disciplinary procedures, and reported on fee reductions, zero-based rulemaking, and board cash-balance corrections under prior legislation. The Department of Water Resources and the Idaho Water Resource Board provided lengthy presentations on budget holdbacks, water administration, groundwater conditions, recharge, cloud seeding, the Bear River Compact, and a proposed merger with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Director Weaver described budget reductions, staffing challenges, delivery-call enforcement on the Eastern Snake Plain, expansion of groundwater administration into tributary basins, and new monitoring and modeling work in the Treasure Valley. Chairman Raybould reviewed state water funding, recharge and canal-efficiency projects, cloud seeding, and the ESPA sustainability program, including grants for groundwater-to-surface-water conversion and telemetry. The committee asked questions about aquifer management, canal lining and recharge, Bear River depletion rights, and conversion projects. The meeting ended with approval of the February 3 minutes and notice that another RS would likely be taken up at the final meeting later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Drinking Water Act.
• Water services.
• Again, easy to say Arizona needs more water, but what does that mean? Who needs more water?
• Again, easy to say Arizona needs more water, but what does that mean? Who needs more water?
• supplies. ...showed that water providers have a real need, a large need, for new water supply, new water

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee convened for introductions of members, staff, interns, and pages, with members briefly noting their districts and roles. The committee’s only agenda item was a presentation from the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority (WIFA) by Director Chelsea McGuire, who outlined WIFA’s mission and recent work financing water infrastructure across Arizona. McGuire described three major funding programs: the rural water supply development revolving fund, the water conservation grant fund, and the long-term water augmentation fund. She said WIFA has financed nearly $3 billion in water infrastructure over 30 years, awarded about $87.3 million through the rural fund, and allocated $211 million in conservation grants expected to save 6.6 million acre-feet of water. She also said WIFA is out of conservation money and requested continued state support, while noting the revolving funds remain stable even if federal funding declines. A large portion of the discussion focused on the long-term augmentation fund and its competitive solicitation process. McGuire said WIFA identified a projected 100,000 to 500,000 acre-foot supply gap in 10 to 15 years and selected seven projects for further due diligence after receiving 17 responses, including desalination, reuse, groundwater storage, and exchange-based projects involving private partners. Senators asked about public transparency, project timelines, costs, and the need for state funding; McGuire said public engagement will continue, the projects are intended to match the identified time frame, and state funding is needed both to pay for due diligence and to reduce project risk and cost. No votes or formal actions were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm talking about our water quality, water supply, natural systems, as I'm talking about our water quality
• water supply, our reclaimed water, our water supply development, and our water resource evaluations.
• the four core functions of the water management districts are water supply, water quality, natural systems
• Not only provides flood control, but it holds water for water supply.
• Water supply.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.