Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm here to present SB 832, which updates the statute for the Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries
• River in her district. It's Nithya Rahman in this case.
• River miles in order to improve representation.
• River watershed. Currently, 18 of those projects are underway and being implemented.
• River member of this body, I'm pleased to see you carrying this measure.

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee met with a quorum present and heard one non-consent bill, SB 832 by Senator Allen. The bill would update the statute governing the Upper Los Angeles River and Tributaries Working Group to reflect its ongoing role, require it to meet at least annually to review implementation of the revitalization plan and possible amendments, and adjust membership to ensure representation from the city council district with the most Upper L.A. River miles. Senator Allen and sponsor April Bird of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority described the measure as a minor but important update to support continued implementation of the 2020 revitalization plan, which identified 300 projects and has 18 currently underway. Committee members asked about the change from meetings every two years to every year, and the author explained that the bill would codify a more regular schedule after a prior budget change had set the interval at two years. Senator Stern expressed support, noting the complexity of coordinating city, county, and MRCA interests and the need for the working group to support future project funding and planning. No opposition was presented. Senator Laird moved the bill, and the committee voted 6-0 to pass SB 832 to Senate Appropriations. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• River Channel Maintenance Plan.
• The Columbia River system moves about $31 billion per year in cargo and is vital to the economic...
• Maintaining the Columbia River at its federally authorized depth of 43 feet has true statewide impact
• That's not just jobs on the river. That's farmers, truck drivers, maritime labor, and more.
• We rely on a limited number of north-south corridors and a single crossing of the Wenatchee River.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on January 13, 2026, for a work session on Governor Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental transportation budget and a public hearing on Senate Bill 6005, which makes supplemental transportation appropriations for the 2025–27 biennium. Committee staff reviewed the transportation budget outlook, noting that the 2025 session had balanced the transportation budget over four years with significant new revenues, but that recent fuel-tax and Climate Commitment Act forecasts had softened the long-term outlook. Staff and the governor’s budget team said the proposal still leaves the budget in positive shape while addressing major needs such as preservation, ferry replacement, maintenance, and the state self-insurance account. The governor’s office described a $16.8 billion transportation budget proposal centered on preservation and maintenance, including $3.1 billion in bonding for eligible preservation projects, $1.1 billion for three new ferries, additional ferry preservation funding, pavement and bridge work, maintenance funding, County Road Administration Board startup money, State Patrol communications upgrades, DOL service access improvements, dredging for the Lower Columbia River, and restored regional mobility grant funding. Committee members asked about ferry capacity, DOL mobile offices, self-insurance costs, and whether additional preservation money could be used in 2026. Testifiers from cities, counties, labor, ports, construction, business, and environmental groups generally supported the emphasis on preservation, ferry reliability, local road funding, and freight projects, while some urged broader transit and rail investment and one witness criticized the budget’s spending approach. During public testimony on SB 6005, speakers from Bainbridge Island and ferry communities supported ferry investments and reliability improvements; local government and labor representatives backed preservation funding and better working conditions for transportation workers; business and construction groups endorsed maintenance, paving, bridge repair, and the Lower Columbia dredging item; and port and environmental advocates supported freight, port electrification, and rail funding. One witness raised concerns about the cost and long-term implications of hybrid-electric ferry maintenance, and another urged restraint in spending. The hearing ended after testimony, with the chair noting the sign-in tally and adjourning the committee without a vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number five, review and approval of the following for the Sabine River Authority.
• Number five, review and approval of the following for the Sabine River Authority.
• Sabine River Authority. And I think we have two items in front of y'all today.
• The whole resort was operated without River Authority monies.
• And by this project, I mean the Sabine River Authority making this decision to take it.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee received the May fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget, which reflected the updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecast. The revised forecast reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million and lowered projected revenues across the five-year baseline, including a drop in FY27 available funds and larger out-year imbalances. The statement was approved without objection. Members then considered several Facility Planning and Control items and approved them without objection: a $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans project to build out space in the Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation; a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home warehouse in Jackson; and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Lenoir Law Center addition. The committee also received, for information only, five change orders over $50,000 but under $250,000. The committee approved contract extensions and funding actions for several agencies. Louisiana Economic Development received approval for one-year extensions and increases for marketing contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group. The Department of Education’s contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey was reported favorably after questions about the procurement process and how the contract amount relates to student enrollment. The Sabine River Authority’s $9.5 million operating budget increase and its 2026–2027 budget were approved favorably, with members discussing the planned takeover of Cypress Bend Resort operations. The Department of Health’s HERO Fund round of 15 grant awards, totaling about $4.6 million and projected to create 541 new health care credentials, was also approved favorably. Finally, the Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were adopted, including an additional $619,850 for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and $1.5 million in emergency subfund assistance for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. The committee also reviewed a cooperative agreement between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and its facilities corporation related to Act 35 projects, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> disaster we had was a lot of river disaster we had was a lot of river flooding<00:05:23.520><c>
• Well, like in the little town where I live, Falmouth, it's surrounded on three sides by a river.
• But I'm hoping to get the people to buy in along the Licking River.
• So, it's kind of hard to by a river.
• Uh because the more licking river.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force opened its sixth meeting by approving the minutes and then taking up a presentation from University of Pikeville representatives and local leaders on an Eastern Kentucky Disaster Relief Center at Bear Mountain in Pike County. Speakers included Greg May, Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty, Lori Worth, and Laura Damron. They described repeated flooding and other disasters in eastern Kentucky, the lack of a single prepared relief location, and the need for a centralized, elevated site that could serve as a flood and broader natural-disaster hub. The presenters said the Bear Mountain property, about 530 acres and well above flood levels, could support a multi-use facility combining disaster response functions with university and community uses. Proposed features included a command and communications center, distribution space, emergency shelter, medical and clinic support, food service, restroom facilities, RV hookups, and an indoor track/distribution building. They emphasized that the project would help avoid disrupting existing venues such as the Pikeville Expo Center and Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, while also supporting tourism and economic recovery. Committee members asked about community and emergency-management support, annual operating costs, and resilience standards such as tornado-related building codes. In response, the presenters said local stakeholders, including Appalachian Wireless, Pikeville Medical Center, Community Trust Bank, the city of Pikeville, and emergency management officials, had expressed support. They said the university planned to absorb some operating costs through multiple uses of the facility, community camps, and budgeted maintenance, and that construction documents were nearly complete with plans to begin building within months. After the presentation, the chair thanked the presenters and moved the committee into its recommendations discussion, noting the broader fiscal and humanitarian importance of disaster preparedness and resiliency and indicating that future legislation would likely follow from the task force’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the Root River State Trail.
• </c><00:29:14.960><c> and</c> enjoy our community, the Root River and enjoy our community, the Root River
• Croix River.
• Croy River. We majestic views of the St. Croy River.
• Croix River waterway.

Bills: HF474 , HF218 , HF210 , HF441 , HF691 , HF720 , HF1068 , HF1314 , HF1465 , HF1860 , HF2046 , HF1389 , HF2404 , HF2854 , HF2985 , HF3128 , HF3103 , HF778 , HF3125

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice, Statuary Hall, United States Capitol, statue replacement, capital investment, general fund appropriation, Minnesota State Capitol, Minnesota State Historical Society, public art, commemorative statue, National Statuary Hall Collection, commissioner of administration, cultural heritage, monument, Washington D.C., HF218, Minnesota, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis River.
• Louis River.
• Louis River.
• Louis River.
• Louis River.

Bills: HF2411 , HF2471 , HF1440 , HF1393 , HF1631 , HF1259 , HF280 , HF1281 , HF1459

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Maumelle River?
• They have to... ...cross the Maumelle River to get to it.
• the Maumelle River itself or near it.
• The Maumelle River runs the length of that property.
• Guess what happens to the lakes and the rivers and the creeks?

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are students from the River Valley Charter School, and more specifically, they are students from
• The Chair would also like to recognize the representative from Fall River, who has joined as well, and
• grade at the fourth grade at the Green School. of Fall River, the fourth grade at the Green School.
• The Chair would also like to recognize the Senator of the Representative for Fall River, who has joined
• as the representative from Fall River, who has joined as well and state that the senator from First

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph, a five-year-old Hyde Park child whose death was described as a tragic loss to his family, school, and community. Senators offered condolences and a moment of silence was observed. The chamber also recognized several guests, including students and scholarship recipients from the Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program and visitors from River Valley Charter School and Fall River’s Green School. The main legislative business was Senate 2521, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill providing about $189 million for early education and care providers so they could receive June child care financial assistance payments. The minority leader questioned why the deficiency had arisen so late in the fiscal year and asked about preventing similar shortfalls. The Ways and Means chair responded that the bill was time-sensitive, that such supplemental appropriations are common for caseload-driven accounts, and that the House had already passed the measure. He also reported that FY25 revenues were about $1.1 billion above benchmark, though most of that was restricted Fair Share revenue or excess capital gains. The Senate took a roll-call vote on engrossment, and the bill passed to be engrossed by a vote of 39-0. The Senate then agreed to a conference committee on the FY26 budget bill, House 4001, after insisting on its amendment. It also adopted resolutions recognizing the Massachusetts-Hokkaido sister-state relationship and the Concord-Nani sister-city anniversary. The chamber suspended rules to advance a petition to ban DEHP in IV bags and tubing, and it agreed to a House referral change for Senate 2522, a health care petitions bill, sending it to the Judiciary Committee. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed Senate 2521 to be enacted before adjourning to meet again the following Monday in memory of Lenz Arthur Joseph.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fact is fire operates very differently in the Snick River Valley as it does in the only Peninsula
• Representative Orcutt continued: “I personally have seen sea lions in the Cowlitz River.
• I heard last year from a constituent that there were a hundred of them up the Kalama River.
• , and in just a few seconds I saw three of them in the river.
• , and in just a few seconds I saw three of them in the river.

Bills: HB2131 , HB2221 , HJM4009 , HB2619

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: sea lion, predation control, salmon preservation, fishing industry, voluntary donations, ungulate, wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, population sustainability, environmental impact, wildfire, federal response, community protection, natural resources, firefighter safety, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact

Transcript Highlights:

• I AM A TOUR GUIDE ON GILCHRIST BLUE AND I ALSO HAVE GUIDED ON RAINBOW RIVER AND SILVER RIVER.
• RAINBOW RIVER WE LAUNCHED FROM A COUNTY OWNED PARK, IS NOT REGULATED BY THE STATE, IT'S REGULATED BY
• I NEED MY MONEY OFF OF THE PRISTINE NATURE OF THESE SPRINGS AND RIVERS.
• THEY HAVE NO VALUE AND ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOVER ESPECIALLY IN RIVERS.
• OF TWO WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, keep in mind, this is the same Merrimack River areas of St.
• Louis County draw their drinking water from, Keep in mind, this is the same Merrimack River areas of
• And the Merrimack River, countless young folks swim and float in throughout the warmer months.
• that this isn't just a problem affecting this one local community due to the poisoning of nearby rivers
• If there's one thing we should all agree on is that Missourians deserve clean water, rivers, and streams

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee met to hear Senate Bill 1586, sponsored by Senator Ben Brown, which would address abandoned, ownerless landfills in Missouri. Brown described a constituent’s experience with contamination near an old landfill in Franklin County and said the bill was intended to give the Department of Natural Resources clearer authority to investigate and remediate such sites, create a funding stream by redirecting 10% of solid waste tipping fees, establish an interim committee for further study, and tighten seller disclosure requirements for properties with abandoned landfills. He argued the state has 29 such sites, that the issue has been ignored for decades, and that environmental studies are the necessary first step before cleanup and possible grant applications. Support came from University of Missouri engineering dean Marisa Grosoccoe, who said the bill would provide the regulatory framework and stable funding needed to move forward, noting that even about $1 million annually would likely fund only a few studies per year but would reduce uncertainty and help identify cleanup costs and future land use options. She emphasized that studies can unlock additional funding and eventual redevelopment benefits. In opposition, Solid Waste Advisory Board chair Chris Bussin and Mark Solid Waste District program manager Diana Bryant argued the districts already perform important recycling and household hazardous waste work, that the proposed diversion of tipping fees would significantly reduce local program funding, and that DNR already has authority to address landfill issues. They also questioned the accuracy of the abandoned landfill list and warned that cuts could harm existing services. A county commissioner testifying for information purposes echoed concerns about impacts on small communities and local grant-funded recycling programs. No vote was taken, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clair, Maple River, Lake Crystal, Sleepy Eye, and New Ulm.
• Clair, Maple River, Lake Crystal, Sleepy Eye, and New Ulm.
• Clair, Maple River, Lake Crystal, Sleepy Eye, and New Ulm.
• </c> partnership like this with Great Rivers partnership like this with Great Rivers because<00:41:20.200
• </c><01:10:13.159><c> we</c> students and families in Deer River we students and families in Deer River

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The River near the confluence zone, you're dealing with a lot of water.
• And these are little captures of water that feed into the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
• , the Cotterway River, the St.
• Francis River, and then eventually the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.
• My entire eastern border is the Mississippi River.

Committee: House Conservation and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Conservation and Natural Resources heard House Bill 2202, sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew, which would allow active-duty military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, and youth during youth hunt seasons to receive certain hunting permits at no cost. Mayhew argued the bill would help recruit younger hunters, support military members and disabled veterans, and would not threaten conservation funding because the conservation fund has maintained substantial balances. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal impact, possible constitutional issues, effects on Pittman-Robertson federal reimbursements, and whether the bill duplicated existing Missouri Department of Conservation exemptions. Some members supported the concept of honoring veterans but suggested other funding mechanisms or clarifying language, and MDC said it would revise the fiscal note after misreading some figures. Testimony on HB 2202 was mostly opposed or informational. An Army veteran testified against the bill, saying current MDC rules already provide significant exemptions for veterans, active-duty personnel, and seniors, and warning the bill could reduce revenue and federal matching funds. MDC Deputy Director Aaron Jeffreys said the department already offers numerous veteran and military exemptions and supports veteran hunts through partnerships with NGOs, but also explained the agency’s fund balance is being used for major capital projects and is expected to decline. Several members and the sponsor debated whether conservation revenues are being held in reserve unnecessarily or are needed for ongoing projects and future obligations. The committee then heard House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. Colin Wellenkamp, which would create a Soil Erosion Control Fund Act to help homeowners associations finance erosion mitigation projects through assessments, state fund allocations, and matching local or grant dollars. Wellenkamp and supporters said erosion and flooding are causing major property damage, especially in water-rich and river-adjacent areas, and that the bill would give communities a practical tool to address problems that are too expensive for cities or counties to solve alone. Members from affected districts described severe flooding and erosion impacts, and the sponsor said the bill includes safeguards such as HOA nonprofit status, homeowner approval, and repayment terms to protect taxpayers. HB 1734 drew broad support from witnesses including the Community Associations Institute, a stream restoration business, the Missouri Municipal League, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy of Missouri, and a St. Charles County lobbyist. Supporters said the proposal would help stabilize land, protect homes and property values, improve habitat and water quality, and reduce long-term public costs. No witnesses testified in opposition, and the hearing on HB 1734 concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• we were on the Wind River Indian Reserve ation. ation. ation.
• She is the Platte River Trails director and has been great to work with.
• She is the Platte River Trails director and has been great to work with.
• She is the Platte River Trails director and has been great to work with.
• She is the Platte River Trails director and has been great to work with.

Bills: HB0015 , HB0017 , HB0019

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: right to repair, digital electronics, consumer protection, embedded software, manufacturers, repair providers, tools and documentation, anti-theft measures, blockchain, financial technology, digital innovation, economic development, select committee, trespass, hunting, land use, public access, wildlife, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• modifications, and new recommendations listed in the decision material for the Angelina and Neches River
• We will begin with the Angelina and Neches River Authority and Lower Natches Valley Authority.
• That concludes the voting on these two river authorities.
• The next agency we're voting on is the Trinity River Authority of Texas.
• There were no modifications or new recommendations offered for the Trinity River Authority of Texas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: Dan Pruitt, Indian River County, waiving in support. We are in debate.
• Johns River. Chair: You are recognized to present the bill. Rep.
• Tracie Case, Florida River Trust, waiving in support.
• that will benefit all 12 counties along our great rivers.
• Johns River Keeper, waiving in support. Joseph, Reunite the Rivers, waives in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're nearing completion of the Spokane River Crossing portion of the project in early summer 2026.
• This project includes the pedestrian bridges across the river connecting Spokane Community College to
• River channel maintenance plan.
• a lot of our communities that move freight up and down that river system.
• Maintaining the Columbia River at its federally authorized depth of 43 feet has true statewide impact

Bills: HB2306

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: transportation budget, capital budget, operating budget, appropriations, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, ferry funding, state ferries, highway maintenance, road preservation, bridge replacement, tolling, express toll lanes, traffic safety, speed cameras, ignition interlock, transit grants, public transit

Transcript Highlights:

• So much so that high-dollar catfish tournaments are held on rivers throughout the country.
• But when removed from the river and placed on a commercial lake, their lifespan is much shorter.
• I am a fisherman, and I do fish for catfish on the Ohio River.
• </c><00:30:28.399><c> trophy</c> there's a lower Ohio River trophy there's a lower Ohio River trophy
• </c><00:30:59.440><c> And</c> lower Ohio River catfish area. And lower Ohio River catfish area.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number five, review and approval of the following for the Sabine River Authority.
• Number five, review and approval of the following for the Sabine River Authority.
• Sabine River Authority. And I think we have two items in front of y'all today.
• The whole resort was operated without River Authority monies.
• Everyone wants the River Authority to do what they can to make sure this project stays open.

Summary: The committee first heard a fiscal status statement from the Office of Planning and Budget showing that updated Revenue Estimating Conference forecasts reduced the FY26 general fund excess available from $292.6 million to $179.7 million, with lower revenues across the five-year baseline and larger out-year imbalances. With no questions, the statement was approved. Members then reviewed several Facility Planning and Control items, including approval of a new $3 million LSU Health Sciences Center project in New Orleans funded by self-generated revenues, a $343,600 increase for HVAC upgrades at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, and a $700,000 increase for Southern University’s A.A. Leno Law Center addition. The committee also received informational change-order reports and approved Louisiana Economic Development contract extensions for Zender Communications and Graham Group, as well as a Department of Education contract amendment for the Louisiana Gator ESA program with Odyssey after questions about the contract’s up-to amount and procurement process. The Sabine River Authority sought approval for a $9.5 million increase to its operating budget and its 2026-2027 budget, explaining the increase was tied to taking over the Cypress Bend Resort hotel and related property; members asked about long-term self-sufficiency and local support, and the items were approved favorably. The Louisiana Department of Health received approval for 15 HERO Fund grant awards totaling about $4.6 million to support 541 new health care credentials statewide. The Water Sector Commission’s recommendations were also approved, including $619,850 more for St. Mary Parish Water and Sewer Commission No. 5 and emergency subfund support for the city of Tallulah, conditioned on a limited fiscal administration order. Finally, members reviewed an agreement between the LCTCS Board and its Facilities Corporation under Act 35, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I think that we're going to have Pat Rivers come up and we'll just hold questions for a minute
• Rivers, could you kind of, um, you mentioned enforcement.
• Is that correct, Director Rivers?
• Is that correct, &gt;&gt; Director<00:10:45.279><c> Rivers?</c> &gt;&gt; Director Rivers?
• &gt;&gt; Director Rivers?

Keywords: 1183, house