Transcript Highlights:

• But let me underscore that this funding comes as we are simultaneously losing resources we have depended
• on for years. ...funding comes as we are simultaneously losing resources we have depended on for years
• It looks different depending on the initiative.
• And so it would look different depending on which of those initiatives it... ...to be that subgrantee
• And so it would look different depending on which of those initiatives it is.

Keywords: House Select Committee on Advancing Rural and Small Town Health Care, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the type of fuel and type of coolant.
• They generally have a pretty good refueling life depending on the application: two to five years, two
• Because we need those fuels, because we want to minimize dependencies on external countries and international
• Again, it is very hard to put a number to it because it depends on the small modular reactor, whether
• you're looking at a pressurized water reactor or a boiling water reactor, 300... ...it depends on a

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it can go to a different department and can go to OCWI depending on what it is.
• So it can go to a different department and can go to OCWI depending on what it is.
• It really depends... ...any of your treatment facilities as well can all—it really depends how the state
• The outcomes that we traditionally see, depending on the fields, but the most common outcome is reduction
• And so we see a lot of different data; it depends on the particular agency and what they’re looking for

Summary: The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the Department of Child Safety met to review child welfare reforms developed after prior oversight hearings on the deaths of Emily Pike, Zariah Dodd, and Rebecca Baptiste. Committee members and the chair described a series of stakeholder meetings with tribes, DCS, law enforcement, county attorneys, schools, and other advocates that produced several bills aimed at improving communication, reporting, investigations, and court decision-making. The chair said SB 1125, creating a tribal-DCS memorandum of understanding, had already been signed, and highlighted HB 1126 on school records access, HB 1127 on mandatory reporting by people with direct knowledge, HB 1174 on hotline case history and review of prior reports, HB 1175 on photo documentation of children in care, HB 1496 on allowing attorneys to share more safety information with judges, and HB 1631 requiring advanced forensic interviews within 72 hours in sexual abuse cases, with some exceptions. DCS Director Catherine Patak presented agency data showing nearly 160,000 hotline calls in 2025, about 43,000 investigations, and a relatively steady out-of-home care population that ended the year at 7,077 children. She said about 3,000 children were reunified, 1,300 adopted, and 800 entered guardianship, while 1,100 young adults received transition services. She also reported 534 new foster homes licensed, a 50% reimbursement increase for older youth caregivers, a 40% decrease in youth missing from care since September 2024, and a 30% reduction in fatalities of children in care since 2024. Patak discussed the annual fatality review process, noting that 52 of 123 alleged fatality or near-fatality reports had prior DCS involvement, and described agency responses such as health plans for children with complex medical needs, a diabetes training app, expanded LifeSet services, fentanyl and safe-sleep prevention campaigns, staffing realignment, retention efforts, and improved coordination with law enforcement and tribes. Members asked about group home notification rules, the distinction between “missing” and “runaway,” behavioral health needs driving children back into care, training under Jacob’s Law, and whether best practices exist for placing sexually abused youth with appropriate staff. Patak said DCS is updating rules to remove “runaway” and “AWOL” in favor of “missing,” and that the agency is considering whether the statute’s immediate-or-24-hour reporting language should be clarified. She also said DCS does not currently have a specific staffing requirement tied to a child’s sex in group homes, but would look into practices in other states. The committee then heard from Malcolm Hightower of Casey Family Programs, who said Arizona is generally in the middle of the pack nationally: slightly higher than average in foster care entries and congregate care use, but near the national average on screening, substantiation, recurrence, re-entry, and maltreatment fatalities. He praised Arizona’s kin placement rate, said congregate care remains a challenge, and noted that neglect definitions and poverty-related removals remain an area of policy discussion. Finally, K.C. Melsick of Collaborative Safety described the organization’s safety-science approach to systemic critical incident reviews, arguing that child welfare systems should move away from blame and toward learning from near-misses and system failures. Members discussed applying similar methods across state agencies, and the committee adjourned after members and witnesses emphasized continued collaboration and further reforms in the interim and next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the credits can be traded between systems as necessary to ensure that surface-water-dependent systems
• Supply for the products and projects that we all care about depends on minerals sourced right here in
• Arizona's economy and quality of life supply for the products and projects that we all care about depends
• So the net water savings, I think, you just kind of have to depend on the site.
• So I think it all just depends on the site, and I would hope that we could lean on the experts for what

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority on its role storing Colorado River water underground and holding long-term storage credits for CAP municipal and industrial subcontractors, on-river contractors, the Hualapai Tribe, Mojave County Water Authority, and Nevada. Members asked about future firming for CAP subcontractors, recovery constraints, funding sources, and whether the authority could use groundwater withdrawal fee credits for Indian firming and CAP users. The manager explained the authority has no post-2026 firming policy yet for CAP M&I subcontractors, relies mainly on withdrawal fees and ad valorem taxes, and distributes credits on paper through ADWR transfer forms rather than delivering wet water. No action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard SB 1445, which would allow certain small municipalities to conduct bacteriological testing on site with EPA-approved equipment and originally limited ADEQ sampling requirements to no more than four times per month. The sponsor and the mayor of Kearny argued the bill would reduce costs and travel burdens for rural towns while allowing more frequent testing. Committee discussion focused on whether the change was already possible under existing law and whether the amendment would weaken testing requirements. The Griffin amendment removed the language restricting ADEQ’s sampling frequency. The bill passed as amended on a 6-4 vote. The committee also considered SB 1137, a modernization measure for Arizona’s 811 call-before-you-dig system that sets procedures for large project coordination meetings, positive response communication, and related enforcement. Supporters from Associated General Contractors and an underground utility contractor said the bill reflects stakeholder consensus and would improve safety and efficiency without adding state costs. The Taylor amendment shifted implementation procedures from the Corporation Commission to the One Call Notification Center and made other technical changes. The bill passed unanimously, 10-0. SB 1287, which extends to all active management areas the ability of holders of irrigation grandfathered rights to withdraw up to 10 acre-feet annually for stockwatering or domestic use, also passed 9-1. The committee next approved SB 1335, as amended by a strike-everything amendment tied to the Ag-to-Urban program, allowing a groundwater savings holder to continue irrigating for up to two years after issuance of groundwater savings credits. DWR and irrigation district representatives said the change would address timing problems between relinquishing irrigation rights and finalizing development, while some members objected that it could increase groundwater pumping. The bill passed 5-4. Finally, SB 1336, which continues the State Land Department for four years and adds reporting, planning, and oversight provisions including a new oversight board, passed 5-4 after debate over whether another board was necessary and whether the reauthorization period was long enough. The committee concluded with SB 1677, appropriating $3 million for salt cedar mitigation along the lower Gila River and the Gila-Colorado confluence. Supporters from Audubon Southwest, the City of Buckeye, and local landowners described flood, fire, habitat, and water-supply benefits, while members questioned herbicide use and the need for data. The bill passed 9-0, and the meeting adjourned after all votes were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Depending on the type of charter you are, our law lets you be your own LEA or not.
• Depending on the type of charter you are, are. No.
• Depending on the type of charter you are, our law lets you be your own LEA or not.
• You almost need a flow chart because depending...
• You almost need a flow chart because depending on who is suspected of performing the abuse, you have

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 24, 2026, with a quorum present and announced that HB 690 would not be heard. The committee first advanced HB 350, which would extend the grades served by Ecole Ponashan in Terrebonne Parish from pre-K through 4th grade to 8th grade; members spoke in support of the school’s role in French immersion, Cajun heritage, and local educational access, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 434, which shifts certain probationary employment authority over school bus operators from school boards to superintendents, also received favorable passage without objection, with support from the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. The committee then considered HB 445 on the Louisiana STEM Advisory Council. The bill would move the STEM Commission from the Board of Regents to Louisiana Works, reduce and reorganize membership, and cut the number of meetings from four to two while keeping funding in place. Supporters said the change would better align the council with workforce needs and economic development, while members asked about the loss of some education representatives and the continued role of employers and K-12 stakeholders. After discussion, the bill was reported favorably. HB 386, which would allow local school districts to let locally authorized charter schools operate as their own local education agency under district rules, was also reported favorably after extensive discussion of charter types, LEA status, federal funding, special education liability, and the difference between local and state authorization. HB 363, which would let students enrolled in virtual schools participate in extracurricular activities and athletics at their zoned public school, drew strong support from members and testimony from students and families. Witnesses described the bill as a fairness measure that would give online students the same opportunity to try out for sports and activities as home study students, subject to the same eligibility rules, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 256, clarifying that school employees are mandatory reporters and subject to existing DCFS training requirements, was also reported favorably, with members emphasizing child protection and the need to simplify reporting obligations. Finally, HB 272, which expands eligibility for the READ literacy program to students in D- and F-rated schools, was supported by the sponsor, Scholastic, and literacy advocates who cited Florida data showing improved reading outcomes and stronger family engagement; members raised questions about the fiscal note, parent literacy, and program overlap, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the burden to the students so that they would not be burdened to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000, depending
• Anywhere from $500 to $1,000, depending on the school situation, that may be different.
• fund has not reached the maximum, and in the middle they had to pay a substantial amount of money depending
• Building a system that is more dependent on the Department of Education at this moment in time sounds
• It's building a system that is more dependent on the Department of Education at this moment at time sounds

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our last one is sustainable, meaning schools have a dependable level of state resources that
• And then we as staff are directed to draft the bill, depending on what Joint Budget Committee indicates
• And then we as staff are directed to draft the bill, depending on what Joint Budget Committee indicates
• ESA students generate three different amounts depending on the concentration Generate three different
• amounts depending on the concentration of free or reduced-price lunch students at the district.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.

Transcript Highlights:

• 15, 20 years, as we see electricity really become the new oil and how we can become more energy-dependent
• that as we're asking the Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment that our state is so highly dependent
• on the federal government—up to 43% of our budget is dependent on that.
• And we're also looking to increase that federal dependency.
• And we're also looking to increase that federal dependency by almost a billion dollars if a certain bill

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate met with all 35 members present at the start of the day, approved the journal, and then moved through a series of resolutions, memorials, and bills. It adopted House Concurrent Resolution 24 honoring fallen firefighters Battalion Chiefs Frank Harwood and John Morrison, Jr., and recognizing the recovery of Engineer David Tisdell. It also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 120 encouraging used nuclear fuel reprocessing capabilities in Idaho, with debate focusing on Idaho National Laboratory’s role, energy security, jobs, and the need to maintain safety and environmental protections. Senate Joint Memorial 112, calling on Congress to pursue a balanced budget amendment and address the federal debt, was also adopted after debate about fiscal discipline and federal dependence. In first reading, the Senate introduced several bills including appropriations for natural resources, administrative rules, election and campaign finance changes, pharmacy benefit manager regulation, and public utilities. It also received House bills on forcible entry and unlawful detainer, election integrity, video voyeurism, trapping, collective bargaining and taxpayer funding of unions, tax filing deadlines, council elections, child care licensing, truck speed limits, and non-domiciled CDL rules. On second reading, several measures were advanced to third reading, including Senate Bill 1335 and House Bills 591, 532, and 663. On third reading, Senate Bill 1241 as amended passed 31-3. The bill, described as protecting working animals and preserving Idaho’s agricultural and Western heritage, drew support from senators who said it would safeguard hunting, rodeo, ranching, and other traditional uses while preserving local authority over animal care, zoning, and public safety. The Senate also held some bills on the calendar and then recessed for Idaho Day activities. During the Committee of the Whole, members considered amendments to Senate Bills 1224, 1326, and 1340, adopting each amendment and reporting those bills back as amended without recommendation. The committee also reported progress on House Bills 494, 613, and 526, and Senate Bills 1297, 1294, and 1299. The Senate later adopted the committee report and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• implementing regulations became effective on March 26, 2024, June 12, 2024, and January 1, 2025, depending
• Now, this section requires donations to be sent within certain time periods, depending on the context
• So it depends on the type of solicitation, and, for instance, whether a charity has consented to the
• So it depends on the type of solicitation, and, for instance, whether a charity has consented to the
• And so when there are those issues, we, from a... ...So it depends on the type of solicitation, and,

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• interest unless they serve in the Army Reserve for one year for each year they or their spouse or dependent
• To be eligible, a reservist or their spouse or dependents must be domiciled or stationed in the state
• benefit a single reservist, or combination of the reservist and the reservist's designated spouse or dependents
• Washington's ability to build a strong health care workforce depends on ensuring that all Washington
• environment, when schools have limited resources, state approval ensures educational quality is not dependent

Bills: HB2498, HB2443, HB2567, HB2363, HB2422

Keywords: nursing education, nursing program standards, board of nursing, state board, national accreditation, accreditation body, nursing school, nurse educator, clinical simulation, simulation director, lead nurse educator, NCLEX, licensure exam pass rate, corrective action plan, technical assistance, higher education, program approval, Washington RCW, professional development, nursing licensure

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, sustainable safety improvements depend on engagement and not enforcement alone.
• Some of them entirely dependent on trucking for access to goods. Communities remain connected.
• Some of them are entirely dependent on trucking for access to goods.
• When aviation-dependent concern about businesses choosing to leave Washington altogether, as you've heard
• And that would depend on the way that it would be configured, but it would require at least a one-time

Bills: HB2347, HB2410

Keywords: luxury aircraft tax, tax reduction, economic impact, business aviation, state revenue, HB2410, commercial truck safety, commercial vehicle safety, trucking industry, truck driver training, driver education, highway safety, traffic safety commission, Washington State, commercial motor vehicles, vehicle registration fee, IRP fee, state patrol highway account, safety enforcement fee, public-private partnership

Transcript Highlights:

• These individuals depend on the nation and the transplant community for their second chance at life,
• Depending on what health insurance you have and what PBM has been involved in negotiating the price of
• Menopause care in Massachusetts is still too dependent on luck: who you happen to see, who happens to
• House Bill 4838 builds the infrastructure that future action depends on.
• House Bill 4838 builds the infrastructure that future action depends on.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing during a snowstorm, with members participating both in person and via Teams, and the chairs said testimony would be kept open for an additional week. The first bill heard was H.4796, an act relative to organ transplant vehicles. NORA New England testified in support, arguing that dedicated organ transport vehicles need authority to use lights and sirens so time-sensitive organs can be moved more quickly and safely without relying on EMS systems already stretched by 9-1-1 calls. No opposition was heard and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next item. The bulk of the hearing focused on H.4838, an act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care. Chair Decker, who filed the bill, said it was the product of a year of meetings with dozens of individuals and organizations and was intended as a starting point to identify gaps in care, training, access, and coverage. Testimony overwhelmingly supported the bill and described widespread misdiagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, limited clinician training, insurance barriers, medication access problems, and workplace impacts. Speakers included patients, clinicians, advocates, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and out-of-state and international experts, many of whom urged better education, public awareness, research, and workplace accommodations. Several witnesses emphasized that menopause affects whole-body health, including cardiovascular, bone, mental health, and work outcomes, and that Black women and other marginalized groups face greater barriers and worse outcomes. Some speakers noted the bill is important but largely a framework that will need further work to address coverage and access more directly. Blue Cross Blue Shield said it supports the bill and already covers menopause-related care and training, though the chair used the exchange to criticize broader insurer and state decisions on GLP-1 coverage for obesity. The committee took no vote during the hearing, and the chairs closed by thanking witnesses and stating that additional written testimony would be accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• These individuals depend on the nation and the transplant community for their second chance at life,
• Depending on what health insurance you have and what PBM has been involved in negotiating the price of
• Menopause care in Massachusetts is still too dependent on luck: who you happen to see, who happens to
• House Bill 4838 builds the infrastructure that future action depends on.
• House Bill 4838 builds the infrastructure that future action depends on.

Bills: H4796, H4838

Keywords: organ transplant, emergency vehicle, transportation, medical personnel, regulation, organs, menopause, perimenopause, healthcare access, female health, public health, medical education, workplace policies, discrimination, accommodation, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you do something similar to save the lives of some of these people that are dependent on these drugs
• And depending upon them to distribute those 60% on an equitable basis.
• We want to help to ensure for the stability of this program that so many depend on. Thank you, Mr.
• We want to help to ensure for the stability of this program that so many depend on.
• We want to help to ensure for the stability of this program that so many depend on. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard presentations on the governor’s proposed FY 26-27 budget for the health and human services silo, which totals $48.5 billion within a $117.4 billion state budget. Agency leaders outlined major spending priorities, including AHCA’s behavioral health redesign, APD waiver enrollment and facility needs, DCF’s integrity and self-sufficiency systems, opioid response, community-based care and mental health bed expansion, DOEA’s Alzheimer’s, home care, and community care programs, DOH’s cancer research, public health, EMS blood-transfusion initiative, and lab feasibility study, and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ facility, cybersecurity, and medication-management investments. Members generally praised several proposals, especially increased reimbursement for private duty nursing, behavioral health funding, Alzheimer’s support, and the EMS blood program. Senator Sharief raised concerns about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), warning that changes could leave many Floridians without coverage for HIV medications and asking whether manufacturers could provide rebates directly to patients. Surgeon General Ladapo said the issue was driven largely by funding and federal changes, not a legal barrier, and said the department had explored alternatives but could not fill the gap with current resources. Senator Rouson asked about the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, and DCF said its budget includes about $7 million for the substance abuse and mental health data dashboard required by prior legislation. Public testimony focused heavily on ADAP. Former program leaders and advocates said the proposed changes would reduce enrollment and remove key drugs and insurance-premium support, calling the situation a crisis and criticizing the department for lack of transparency and stakeholder engagement. They urged a pause and collaborative review of the program’s finances. The committee also discussed KidsCare implementation, with AHCA saying federal conditions and litigation have delayed the expansion. The meeting ended after the chair noted the budget would still need to be adjusted for updated Medicaid caseload estimates, and the committee adjourned without taking any formal votes or other action on the budget items.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are really we have limitations on how we can control that because they're dependent upon the
• trial courts manage those resources across the trial courts and remove those positions around courts depending
• And depending reclassification doesn't mean that it was actually submitted to us for processing.
• that don't necessarily need that and to do your and drops and this and that the other, we've become dependent
• So we have all the dependency in termination of parental rights cases and then the the conflict cases

Transcript Highlights:

• As this committee well knows, students depend on consistent digital access for virtually every aspect
• As this committee well knows, students depend on consistent digital access for virtually every aspect
• As this committee well knows, students depend on consistent digital access for virtually every aspect
• As this committee well knows, students depend on consistent digital access for virtually every aspect
• As this committee well knows, students depend on consistent digital access for virtually every aspect

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Zayo Group 00:00:50 Committee Report to LRC 00:18:12, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Michael McCurley, president of Zo Education and a senior vice president with Zo Group, about the company’s role in providing broadband and managed network services to Kentucky schools. He said Zo Education serves all Kentucky K-12 public school districts in partnership with the Kentucky Department of Education, offering more bandwidth at lower cost than the prior provider and also providing cybersecurity and network protection. He emphasized that reliable connectivity is essential for instruction, testing, remote coursework, and school administration. McCurley also addressed the ongoing contract dispute involving the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and Open Fiber Silicom, saying Zo Education is not a party to the litigation but is concerned about possible disruption to schools and students. In response to committee questions, he said the company incurred unexpected costs when it had to reroute connections and build alternate network paths, including one school move that cost more than $50,000 to serve a site generating under $2,000 per month. He said outages and incidents are more frequent when Kentucky Wired access is unavailable, and that Zo could not have bid at its current price without access to Kentucky Wired. Committee members discussed the broader implications of the dispute and the state’s broadband structure. Senator Williams said the committee’s priority is avoiding disruption to students and noted concerns about infrastructure purchases and upgrades tied to the network, saying he had not seen clear contractual support for some of the expenditures. He also referenced a future audit and said the committee should preserve options and taxpayer funds. The committee then reviewed its report to LRC, including changes related to infrastructure purchases and water asset management technology, and agreed to submit the report without a committee vote. The chair announced the next meeting would be in January, with no December meeting scheduled, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends, frankly, on when the work is done as it relates to the homeowner's policy renewal, period
• Many insurance companies depend on Hurricane Irene depend on reinsurance to transfer part of the risk
• Some of that is not we don't control that because it depends on the hurricane.
• Again, you know, that all depends on what which way the wind lives and I went and because we could we
• So it all depends on what the companies reporting to us. >> When the companies are reporting their losses

Transcript Highlights:

• It would depend on the facts of the case, but I would think you'd have a hard time finding a lawyer who
• It would depend on what the judge considered reasonable, I would assume.
• It depends on the case.
• I never want to be dependent on a court.
• Depending on luck to carry us through the time period while the study is going is not ideal.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB17, HB7, HB7, HB15, HB15, HB27, HB1, HB7, HB15, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB17, HB27, HB1, SB8, HCR13, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you're dependent on a third party to help you in your community resolve flooding issues... ..
• So it depends on how they were set up, right? I guess it depends on how it was set up.
• And depending how it was set up, it would be set out if it could be its own team or part of a larger
• It depends on how it's what they do and our tasks to do so within y'all's organization there is another
• bypass... that's a lot of... ...assessments of sort of annual flows that do bypass reservoirs, but it depends

Summary: The House Committee on Natural Resources met to focus on flooding issues across Texas, with particular attention to South Texas and the recent catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. Chair Harris and Vice Chair Martinez emphasized that flooding is a statewide problem requiring continued legislative attention. The committee heard invited testimony from Hidalgo County Commissioner David Fuentes and Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 General Manager Raul Sassine, who described the March flood event in Hidalgo County, including more than 20 inches of rain, six deaths, over $100 million in local damage, widespread road flooding, and repeated shutdowns of Interstate 2 and its frontage roads. They argued that existing drainage systems are under capacity, that TxDOT projects must account for downstream drainage impacts, and that local governments have already invested heavily in mitigation through bonds and partnerships. Fuentes and Sassine also described the county’s long-term flood mitigation and water-reuse efforts, including the Delta region water management project, which would capture stormwater, runoff, and treated effluent, reduce flooding, and create potable water supply. They said the drainage district manages about 780 miles of channels and 1,100 acres of detention facilities, has used prior Flood Infrastructure Fund and GLO grants, and has ongoing applications for additional state and federal assistance. Members discussed the need for TxDOT coordination, emergency access on frontage roads, local “skin in the game,” and the possibility of combining flood control with aquifer recharge and water supply projects. Texas Water Development Board Executive Administrator Brian McMath then presented an overview of the state’s flood planning and funding framework, including the post-Harvey legislative changes that created the Flood Infrastructure Fund, the Texas Infrastructure Resiliency Fund, and the regional/state flood planning process. He summarized the first state flood plan adopted in 2024, noting that about one in six Texans live or work in known flood hazard areas and that regional plans identified 4,609 flood risk reduction solutions with an estimated cost of $54.5 billion. He also reviewed TWDB programs for flood grants, community assistance, flood insurance compliance, stream gauges, TexMesonet, flood mapping, and the TexasFlood.org viewer. Members asked about drainage fees, technical assistance, gauge placement, the relationship between flood maps and FEMA FIRMs, and whether flood mitigation funds could support aquifer storage and recovery or recharge projects; TWDB staff said such projects can be eligible if they include flood mitigation components, but direct technical assistance cannot be paid from Flood Infrastructure Fund dollars. The committee concluded by expressing interest in further study of combining flood mitigation with aquifer recharge, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Although, depending on the questions, I may ask. Borrow Representative Lord's motorcycle helmet.
• We do have some flexibility to do that depending on market conditions. You turn to page 23.
• today, this is expected to hit in 22 years, and there might be another improvement this next year depending
• You know, it depends upon how long and how far we extend the return-to-work rules.
• The amount of fees will depend on what sector the manager is in.