Transcript Highlights:

• Next is Meyer Branch Water Corporation for their water project.
• Next is Tensaw Water Distribution Association application 527. It's a water project.
• They have water.
• them water.
• The last one is for the West Allen Water Works for their water project.

Summary: The Water Sector Commission met with a quorum and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Chairmen reminded members that no funding had yet been appropriated for future Water Sector awards, so any discussion of upcoming projects remained speculative until the legislature acts. The committee then moved through a series of deadline extension requests for phase two state-funded projects, including Delcambre, Faraday, Meyer Branch Water Corporation, and Waterworks District No. 1 of Pointe Coupee Parish. Each extension was approved after brief discussion, including testimony explaining local match timing, consolidation agreements, and project delays. The committee next considered several phase one ARPA-funded requests. St. Tammany Parish Project 845 received approval for a scope change to relocate an unmarked fiber optic line discovered during construction. Tallulah’s mayor gave an extended update on the city’s water rehabilitation project, explaining that the original project had been bid twice, that the state had already completed some emergency work, and that the city wanted to isolate the purchase of four permanent media filters and related electrical work from the original rehab plan. Members questioned whether the request was a scope change or a partial implementation of the original project, but ultimately approved it. The committee also approved additional funding for the City of Kaplan’s sewer project and for Ponchatoula’s sewer project, with Ponchatoula explaining that the increase covered emergency levee repair, miscellaneous equipment and safety items, and a force main reroute around unmarked fiber and other obstacles. St. Martin Parish Water Project 1001 was approved for additional funding after engineers explained that the final well site and related work cost more than originally estimated, though the project remained within the original consolidation plan. West Allen Water Works also received approval for additional funding after its new groundwater well encountered unexpected geologic problems; the contractor and engineers agreed to reduce their fees to preserve the project’s match structure, and members asked that the in-kind match be clearly documented for JLCB. By contrast, Tensaw Water Distribution Association’s large request for additional funding to complete a consolidation with Newelton drew significant concern over cost growth and timing. After discussion of the project’s scope, the need to serve Newelton, and the possibility of future reapplication or further value engineering, the committee voted to defer the Tensaw item to the next meeting for more review. At the end of the meeting, staff reported that 42.11% of ARPA funds remained and reviewed a list of high-risk projects, noting that the committee was trying to ensure ARPA dollars are drawn first and reconciled properly before deadlines. Members discussed the need to ground-truth self-reported project status and potentially adjust procedures to better track construction progress and final draws. The meeting concluded with no subfund or termination items and adjourned after a motion by Senator Bass.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe the Water Trust Board is the best mechanism to get water. Projects funded.
• They have plenty of water; I mean they'll hit water at a few feet, so they don't have a lack of water
• That is water storage. That's flood prevention, right? They will apply to the Water Trust Board.
• that water, you know, cleaning the water.
• , and that includes our storm water.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the same with water.
• Very similar situation exists for water. A very similar situation exists for water.
• So how much water is consumed every day in St. Charles County just for residential water?
• I've had at least two boil water orders from my water.
• I mean, when you say 80% of their capacity, of their water, you're leaving the people without water.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies, Eastern Municipal Water District, Monterey One Water, Monte Vista Water District, San Gabriel
• Water Quality Authority, Eastern Municipal Water District, Monterey One Water, Monte Vista Water District
• Association, Western Urban Water Association, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• ACWA represents 470 public water agencies that deliver 90% of the water throughout California.
• Our water systems are investing.

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and consumer-safety bills. AB 405, the Fashion Act, would require fashion companies to disclose and manage toxic chemicals in their supply chains; supporters said it would reduce worker and consumer exposure and align with existing industry frameworks, while retailers and business groups argued it would duplicate existing laws and raise costs. After questions about DTSC workload, international standards, and affordability, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Natural Resources and held on call with three votes. AB 762 would ban the sale and distribution of disposable vape devices; supporters emphasized battery-fire risks, recycling contamination, and waste impacts, while cannabis and convenience-store interests warned it would push consumers to illicit markets and harm legal businesses. The bill passed on a due-pass motion to Business and Professions with three votes and was held on call. The committee also adopted the consent calendar with six votes. AB 794 would direct California to keep in place the federal PFAS drinking-water standard if federal protections are weakened, with supporters citing health risks and the need for certainty, and water agencies opposing the emergency-rulemaking authority and potential costs. Members debated whether the bill was too broad and whether federal funds would cover implementation; the bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to Appropriations with four votes and was held open. AB 1148, the Safer Food Packaging Act, would restrict certain chemicals in food packaging; supporters cited cancer and reproductive-health concerns, while chemical, beverage, and manufacturing groups argued the bill should go through existing regulatory processes and that some chemicals lacked feasible alternatives. The author said she would remove antimony trioxide later in the process after hearing opposition concerns; the bill passed on a due-pass motion to Judiciary with four votes and was held open. Finally, AB 1338 would allow local air districts to recover costs for implementing fence-line air monitoring at metal shredding facilities, building on prior legislation and local air district efforts in AB 617 communities. The author said the bill would preserve local control and improve efficiency, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District testified in support. The transcript ends as the district witness begins testimony, with no vote yet taken on AB 1338.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is in response to several water districts concerned that the prohibition of imported water
• off water imports to local water supplies, and of course it's my county, LA County.
• We are one of three wholesale water agencies responsible for importing water to replenish the main San
• These actions have prevented water agencies from storing imported water supplies that are essential to
• Linda Noriega with California Domestic Water Company and San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority in

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's and water resource projects.
• most broad water I said this is by far one of our largest, most broad water quality grant program. 1.1
• A lot of times our alternate water supply does have some secondary water quality benefits.
• , drinking water and other needs of our water supply that, you know, there are sufficient sources there
• There we go. >> So clean water, water quality is obviously something that we talked about, but also water

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then section two would create a water bank. ...agreement, and then section two would create a water
• So we don't have a water bank up north currently because there's very few consumptive water users.
• So this would create a water bank for a water rental pool under the umbrella of the Board of Water Resources
• So this would create a water bank for a water rental pool under the umbrella of the Board of Water Resources
• Water rights.

Summary: The committee first considered a Fish and Game rules docket, 13-0108-2401, focused on restrictions related to hunting aids and wolf hunting. Senator O’Connowitz moved to adopt the docket except for section 410, subsections 4(g) and (h), citing potential conflicts with the Idaho Constitution and state law protecting hunting, fishing, trapping, and wolf take methods. After discussion about technology in hunting, Senator Cook withdrew his second, and Senator Van Orden offered a substitute motion to accept the docket as written. That substitute motion passed on a 6-4 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 789, a water rights settlement bill involving the State of Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Avista, and other parties. Senator Phil Hart introduced the bill, and Tyrell Stevenson of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe explained that the measure would ratify a long-negotiated settlement and create a water bank under the Board of Water Resources. He said most of the tribe’s rights were non-consumptive, such as instream flows, lake levels, and spring rights, while some consumptive water could be leased through a rental pool for off-reservation use. Garrett Kittamura testified in support on behalf of several water-user groups, saying the settlement ended years of litigation and had broad support. The committee voted to send HB 789 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1378, which would change how off-highway vehicle enforcement funds are allocated and modernize OHV advisory representation. Senator Harris said the bill would use performance-based funding metrics, return unused snowmobile and OHV funds to source accounts after three fiscal years, and add UTV representation. Dan Waugh of the Idaho Recreation Council said the proposal was developed with sheriffs, Parks and Recreation, and users, and would redirect about $635,000 in unused IDL funds back into the program. The committee then moved SB 1378 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a water bank.
• We need water for finding new supply, new sources of water, and then we need water to firm up our existing
• water that is not. makes the water not meet drinking water standards. or drilling new wells, things like
• and waste water.
• What can the water?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Group A public water systems must submit water system plans, small water system management plans, or
• Group A public water systems must submit water system plans, small water system management plans, or
• They need to be sold and managed by a bigger water company, whether that's a private water company or
• a water district or a PUD.
• With Washington Water Service, and we are a private water utility regulated under the UTC.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Second Substitute House Bill 1906 concerning water systems, focusing on a striking amendment that would require more notice to customers and relevant entities before ownership changes, require certain planning documents to be submitted, and direct the UTC to consider cost of capital, external funding, rate smoothing, notice, and planning compliance when setting rates for private water companies. Testifiers from the Washington PUD Association, Northwest Natural, Thurston PUD, and Washington Water Service generally supported the bill, saying it would improve transparency for customers, help avoid failed systems ending up in receivership, and better inform customers about future costs; one senator asked about PFAS contamination, receivership, and the removal of a right of first refusal, and staff explained the bill’s intent was to improve front-end notice rather than change the back-end takeover process. The committee then moved into executive session and received briefings on several bills and proposed striking amendments, including measures on distributed energy resources (HB 2296), emerging large energy use facilities (HB 2115), AI disclosures (HB 1170), waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act (HB 2416), low-income energy assistance (HB 1903), environmentally sustainable urban design (HB 1742), and the Spark Act AI grant program (HB 1833). Members discussed issues such as utility worker installation authority, data center load and ratepayer protections, AI provenance and disclosure requirements, waste-to-energy allowance timing, reimbursement mechanics for energy assistance, and safeguards for an AI regulatory sandbox. The committee adopted striking amendments and passed HB 2296, HB 2115, HB 1170, HB 2416, HB 1906, HB 1903, and HB 1833 out of committee, generally with due-pass recommendations and referral to Ways and Means where applicable. The committee did not take action on HB 1742. The meeting concluded with members and staff offering personal thanks and farewell remarks to the chair, who was noted to be leaving the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> water resources. water resources.
• </c><00:43:06.000><c> In</c> Minnesota storm water manual. In Minnesota storm water manual.
• </c> storm water instead of municipal water storm water instead of municipal water to<00:43:14.400><c
• </c> storm water and also as mentioned by Mr. storm water and also as mentioned by Mr.
• </c> we call gray water, water for washing. we call gray water, water for washing.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So actually, the water board had moved 600,000 people into safe, clean drinking water before that audit
• It burned a lot of the houses and the brand-new water pipe and everything for a water district outside
• Given this, how is the State Water Board looking to fund clean drinking water infrastructure?
• , Eastern Municipal Water District, and Santa Margarita Water District, in strong support.
• , Eastern Municipal Water District, and Santa Margarita Water District in strong support.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These ideas can help avoid future water shortages, reduce pressure on our water systems, and protect
• our water resources.
• We could reuse gray water and save that drinking water for better purposes.
• Water for better purposes.
• , and water filtration as a whole.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record. Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language. Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{

Transcript Highlights:

• TO ADOPT UNIFORM RULES FOR PERMITS TO PREVENT GROUND WATER WITHDRAWALS HARMFUL TO THE WATER RESOURCES
• IF AND TO WHAT EXTENT WATER CAN BE WITHDRAWN FROM FLORIDA'S AQUIFERS AND SURFACE WATERS FOR ACTIVITIES
• THERE IS AN ISSUE WHERE THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WATER.
• AREA AND AN IMPAIRED WATER BODY AREA.
• IT WILL WORK FOR FLORIDA COMMUNITIES AND I THINK WORK FOR FLORIDA WATER RESOURCES AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> know natural services you know water know natural services you know water resource<00:07:21.599>
• Of water. And you make the point in this survey that wetlands or open spaces manage water.
• They're meant to be fresh water, and saltier water presents a number of concerns.
• They're meant to be fresh water, and saltier water presents a number of concerns.
• , storm water, area. uh shallow water, storm water, roads<00:23:40.480><c> running</c><00:23:40.720><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've just got to get things in place where that water can be captured because that water, you know,
• storage projects, water projects, water delivery projects.
• We've just got to get things in place where that water can be captured because that water, you know,
• storage projects, water projects, water delivery projects.
• You know, water, when we lose it, it's gone.

Summary: The committee first received an update from Larry Madsen of the Office of Columbia River on eastern Washington water supply projects. He described the office’s mission to develop new water supplies for in-stream and out-of-stream uses, noting that funded projects have developed more than 800,000 acre-feet of water toward a 1 million acre-foot goal by 2030. He reviewed the four major program areas: the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, the Walla Walla Water 2050 plan, the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and the Icicle Work Group. He highlighted major projects such as East Low Canal work, Springwood Ranch reservoir planning, Bateman Island causeway removal, and Icicle Creek improvements, and emphasized the importance of state, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partnerships and cost-sharing. Senators asked about accelerating the Springwood Ranch study, reservoir sizing and refill potential, and how conservation fits into the Yakima plan. The committee then heard from Betsy Peabody, Dr. Micah Horwith, and Bill Dewey on the Marine Resources Advisory Council and ocean acidification. They explained that Washington was an early bellwether for ocean acidification impacts, especially on shellfish hatcheries, where low aragonite saturation and changing pH caused major oyster larval mortality. They described the state’s monitoring network, hatchery buffering systems, research partnerships, and adaptation strategies such as kelp co-culture, selective breeding, and native oyster restoration. Testimony stressed that ocean acidification is affecting shellfish, Dungeness crab, razor clams, and even salmon, and that continued state investment, emissions reductions, and nutrient pollution control are needed. Senators asked about differences between native and farmed species, real-time monitoring, and the pH/aragonite thresholds that threaten shellfish production. Finally, Todd Myers and Pam Lewis of the Washington Policy Center presented concerns about agricultural viability, sustainability, and food security. Lewis said Washington farms are under severe financial pressure, citing negative farm take-home pay, high production and labor costs, and the need to rely more on voluntary programs, tax relief, and labor cost changes. She also argued that food insecurity is rising and that donations to food banks are harder when farms are financially strained. Myers followed with remarks on forest health and salmon recovery, arguing for more active forest management, expanded use of Good Neighbor Authority, and fewer permitting barriers. He also said salmon recovery funding should be locally prioritized and science-based, with regulatory barriers reduced so projects can move faster. The committee then voted to refer Senate Bill 6154, a culvert replacement permitting bill, to the Senate Local Government Committee without recommendation, and the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• with water supply.
• Municipal Water District and the Santa Clara Valley Water District, in support.
• sufficient water supplies.
• Water agencies already prepare urban water management plans, projecting water supply demand, and the
• water available.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The time is now to protect our water lines and water infrastructure. Thank you Mr. Chairman.
• In addition although Water Supply Corporation is one of the largest water supply corporations in the
• SALS is an agency of the city of San Antonio, providing water, waste water.
• Recycled water services to approximately 2.1 million people. As a water utility.
• To say this is a water session is an understatement. We're all focused on water.

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• a right to that water.
• How do we put our water to beneficial use and how do we appropriate our water?
• actually use that water.
• You've used 2.6 cups of water.
• What comes with that oil production is often salt water, brine, produced water.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• and reliable drinking water.
• And it was renamed from Drinking Water Advisory Group to Drinking Water Advisory Committee.
• Public water systems or those undergoing modifications can meet the drinking water standards.
• The Idaho Rural Water Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Rural Water Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• public drinking water system stakeholder Water systems to address public drinking water system stakeholder

Summary: The committee first handled two gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board, moving the appointments of Carl Ray and Kenneth Long to the floor with recommendations that both be confirmed by the Senate. It then introduced a joint memorial on depredation claims, which would urge Congress to ensure that reporting livestock losses to wolves or grizzly bears does not affect a rancher’s grazing lease or permit; the memorial was sent to print. Next, the committee introduced RS 32927C1, which would require Idaho Fish and Game to provide a 30-day public comment period for season-setting proclamations. It also introduced four related water-resources resolutions, RS 33051 through RS 33054, covering the state’s four water districts and highlighting projects such as managed aquifer recharge, dam and spillway work, canal and irrigation improvements, and aquifer stabilization efforts. All of these introductions were approved by voice vote. The committee then considered several administrative rules from the Department of Environmental Quality. It approved a docket on cyanidation mining rules, with DEQ explaining the changes were needed to conform to 2025 statutory revisions and that some issues would continue through negotiated rulemaking; the Idaho Mining Association testified in support of that process. It also approved drinking water rules adopting federal Consumer Confidence Report and Lead and Copper Rule improvements, and a separate technical correction restoring the prior 100 PSI maximum static pressure standard for distribution systems, with Idaho Rural Water Association supporting the change. Finally, the committee approved rules for administration of wastewater and drinking water loan funds. DEQ said the revisions implement zero-based regulation, create a tiered affordability system to prioritize disadvantaged communities for SRF loans, and add flexibility to professional liability insurance requirements for engineering firms while still protecting public funds. The committee adjourned after approving the docket, with one senator noting a potential conflict related to professional engineer status for the record.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and reclaimed water.
• banking, water recharge, and expanding the use of reclaimed water to replenish aquifers and improve
• local water supply reliability; and whereas local public water and wastewater agencies invest annually
• And whereas thousands of water sector professionals in the state are dedicated to ensuring these water
• Arizona water has been wonderful.

Keywords: 1182, all