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... ...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
• Water rights.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first considered a Fish and Game rule docket, 13-0108-2401, dealing with restrictions on hunting aids for wolf hunting. A motion to adopt the docket except for sections 410(4)(g) and (h), based on constitutional and statutory concerns, was withdrawn, and the committee instead adopted a substitute motion to accept the docket as written by a 6-4 roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 789, a water rights settlement involving the State of Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Avista, and other parties. Testimony described the bill as ratifying a long-negotiated settlement and creating a water bank to implement it, with the tribe recognizing existing state water rights and receiving certain federal reserved rights, mostly non-consumptive in nature. Supporters said the agreement was historic and would avoid further litigation. The committee voted to send the bill to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1378 on off-highway vehicle and snowmobile enforcement funding. The bill would shift to a performance-based funding model for OHV enforcement, require unused dedicated funds to be returned after three fiscal years, and update advisory representation to include UTV users. Supporters said it would better direct user-fee money to active programs and enforcement. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies, Eastern Municipal Water District, Monterey One Water, Monterey to Vista Water District, San
• Gabriel Water Quality Authority, Liberty Utilities, Orange County Water District, San Gabriel Water
• It represents 470 public water agencies that deliver 90% of the water throughout California.
• . state drinking water standards.
• Our water systems are investing.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Palmdale Water District, San Bernardino County Supervisor Don Rowe, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
• , and 29 Palms Water District.
• of Palmdale Water District, San Bernardino County Supervisor Don Roe, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency
• Tim Worley, on behalf of the Community Water Systems Alliance, as well as Palmdale Water District, San
• Bernardino County Supervisor Don Roe, San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency, and the 29 Palms Water District

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. Supporters from The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, CalTrout, and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations said the bill would strengthen the steelhead report card program, refine crab fishery rules, and clarify vessel transit through closed crab areas. There was no opposition, and the bill was accepted with amendments and moved on a 4-0 vote to the Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, with performance targets and coordination with wildlife agencies. The author and supporters argued it would improve ecosystem connectivity, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, and save money by integrating crossings, culverts, and fencing into planned projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to neutral after amendments clarifying the bill would apply to transportation rights-of-way and not create exactions on private property. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. Members then considered SB 1212, which would repeal California’s ban on importing and selling kangaroo products. The author argued kangaroo harvest in Australia is tightly regulated and that California’s ban is outdated, while opponents from Humane World for Animals, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and others said the bill would reopen the market to products from a cruel commercial slaughter industry and undermine long-standing wildlife protections. No motion was taken at that point. The committee also heard SB 1268, codifying the Outdoors for All initiative, which supporters said would protect and expand equitable access to parks and outdoor recreation; it advanced 3-0. Finally, the committee heard three Western Joshua Tree bills from Senator Arreguín: SB 1061, SB 1062, and SB 1063. Supporters from water agencies, local governments, and industry said the bills would reduce fees and streamline permitting for tree relocation, public infrastructure, and basic utility hookups in desert communities. Opponents withdrew or softened opposition on the first two bills after amendments, but objected to SB 1063 as too broad. SB 1061 and SB 1062 each passed 2-0 to Appropriations, while SB 1063 was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians, and two-thirds of Californians depend on water from the State Water Project.
• Two-thirds of every Californian gets about 30% of their water from the State Water Project.
• from the State Water Project.
• Water District in support.
• Pass Water Agency, and the Chino Valley Water District, all in strong support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start of the meeting. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and rescheduled for the following week. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures were taken up with waived presentations, brief public testimony, and then moved to suspense without objection. Several bills received author presentations and discussion. SB 872 by Senator McNerney proposed a long-term funding mechanism for Delta levee and State Water Project canal repairs, with strong support from water agencies, environmental groups, and regional coalitions emphasizing flood risk, water reliability, and protection of state assets; the bill was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize, but not require, blue emergency lights on parole vehicles; supporters from the parole officers’ union cited officer safety and the death of parole agent Joshua Bird, and it too was moved to suspense. SB 950 by Senator Richardson would require coverage of FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; the committee noted the estimated premium impact was minimal and voted 7-0 for due pass to the Senate floor, while asking the author to consider a sunset amendment. The committee also heard testimony on SB 1123, where the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association opposed the measure on policy grounds, but it was still sent to suspense. SB 1069 and SB 1138 drew support from the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and Silicon Valley Clean Energy, respectively. The remaining suspense-file bills on the agenda were largely taken up in sequence with no opposition or committee questions and were moved to suspense without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paco Sewer and Water Company.
• be part of my water supply?
• So the water is considered as part of the model in the active management area as ground water.
• It's already somebody's water.
• , how treating water, if it be the AWP, you know, recycling water, et cetera.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 27 and March 3, 2026, then heard House Bill 2013, which would require ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration to EPA when a wildfire on federally managed land affects Arizona air quality. The sponsor said the bill would help Arizona’s ozone/nonattainment situation by ensuring wildfire-related exceedances are excluded from official counts. Sierra Club opposed the mandate as duplicative and costly, and ADEQ said it was neutral but concerned about requiring submissions that may not meet EPA’s regulatory-significance standard and could take about 200 staff hours each. HB 2013 received a do-pass recommendation by a 5-3 vote. The committee also approved House Bill 2156, appropriating $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund, after testimony from opponents raising transparency, conflict-of-interest, and funding concerns; supporters argued ranchers need help with depredation losses. HB 2156 passed 5-3. House Bill 2113, which would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when a proposed residential rate increase is 100% or more, drew testimony from the sponsor about rural customers facing large increases and from RUCO saying it lacked the staff and budget to take on the added workload. The chair and sponsor discussed adding an appropriation or lowering the threshold, but no amendment was ready. Opponents argued the bill would divert RUCO from larger cases, while supporters emphasized protecting rural ratepayers. The committee gave HB 2113 a do-pass recommendation, 6-2. House Concurrent Memorial 2011, urging Congress to delist the Mexican gray wolf and return management to states and local authorities, was supported by the sponsor and ranching-focused testimony citing livestock losses, while opponents said the species remains endangered and recovery should stay science-based. HCM 2011 passed 5-3. The committee then considered House Bill 2026, which would let ADWR evaluate water availability for certain developments by looking only at the proposed source or sources, even if water is commingled in a delivery system. ADWR was neutral but warned that commingled systems make it difficult to track actual water use and could weaken groundwater safeguards; opponents said the bill could enable double counting or more pumping. HB 2026 received a do-pass recommendation, 5-3. House Bill 2056, which appropriates $100,000 for a feasibility study of brackish groundwater desalination sites, was supported by the sponsor as a way to explore additional water supplies; ADWR was neutral but said the study would be new for the agency and that brackish water is still regulated as groundwater. HB 2056 passed 5-3. House Bill 2098, modernizing Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority bonding and financing authority, drew support from Pinal County representatives and passed unanimously, 8-0. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 2057, supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap and coordination among agencies, was backed by industry advocates as a way to unlock Arizona’s geothermal potential and also passed unanimously, 8-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what Nalco Water and Ecolab do is we help fabs reuse water as much as possible.
• And our goal is to continue to shrink that water footprint, so they use less and less water.
• But it's also another reason why they use so much water. They are also large use so much water.
• So what Nalkal Water and EcoLab do is we help FABs reuse water as much as possible.
• And our goal is to continue to shrink that water footprint. So they use less and less water.

Summary: The committee convened and announced that Senate Bill 1041 would not be heard that day, with the meeting limited to a presentation to keep the agenda moving. Brian Jenkins of Nalco Water/Ecolab gave an informational presentation on the company’s work in the microelectronics and semiconductor industry, especially in Arizona. He described Ecolab’s role in helping fabs maximize chip production while reducing water and energy use, including data management, water reuse and recycling, and optimization of cooling towers and chillers. He emphasized the rapid growth of semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona, citing SEMI data projecting four additional fabs in the state over the next several years. Jenkins explained that semiconductor fabs are major water and energy users because of the extreme precision of chip manufacturing and the need to rinse wafers and maintain clean-room conditions. He said Ecolab works with customers to identify reusable water streams, model reuse options, and design, install, and support reuse systems. He gave examples of reclaiming process streams such as hydrogen fluoride, CMP wastewater, and neutralized acid waste. He also presented a case study in which Ecolab helped a fab reduce water consumption by 11 million gallons annually, cut contaminant discharge by 64%, and save about $675,000 per year. Committee members thanked Jenkins for the presentation and referenced a prior tour of the facility, noting its relevance to Arizona’s water challenges and the importance of innovation in supporting growth in chip manufacturing and data centers. Jenkins invited members to visit Ecolab’s facility in Naperville, and the chair encouraged follow-up questions offline. No votes were taken, and the meeting segment concluded with adjournment before the room was reset for the next group.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to this cost and consideration of water affordability, water agencies utilize mutual aid agreements
• Well, every water supplier is different. Every water supplier situation is different.
• Did the water system operate like it should? You know, what happened with the water system?
• people, you know, the request here is for the water districts to maintain their autonomy, the water
• And so every 125 water district, every water district has a different cost impact.

Summary: The Emergency Management Committee met to adopt its rules and hear a series of disaster- and public safety-related bills. Several measures were placed on consent and approved, including bills sending items to Appropriations, Natural Resources, Judiciary, Labor and Employment, and Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. AB 262, by Assembly Member Caloza, proposed a California Individual Assistance Act to create a state grant program for disaster-related costs when federal aid is unavailable; supporters cited Rio Dell’s earthquake recovery as an example, while some members raised concerns about eligibility, cost, and whether the bill could aid undocumented residents. The bill passed to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote. AB 549, by Assembly Member Gabriel, would create an interagency coordination framework for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics, with supporters emphasizing public safety and anti-trafficking planning. An opposition witness argued the bill could be used to justify prostitution arrests and misuse trafficking funds, but the committee members largely supported the coordination concept, and the bill passed 6-0 to Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism. AB 270, by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris, would establish a three-year pilot for autonomous aerial firefighting helicopters overseen by the Orange County Fire Authority; supporters described it as a way to extend wildfire response into conditions where crewed aircraft are limited, and the bill passed 6-0 to Privacy and Consumer Protection. Later, AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, sought to require Ventura County water districts in high fire-risk areas to top off tanks during red flag warnings, maintain backup generators, and harden critical water infrastructure. Water agencies opposed the bill unless amended, citing cost, flexibility, and liability concerns, while the author argued the requirements were necessary after failures during the Thomas Fire; it passed 6-1 to Utilities and Energy. AB 615, by Assembly Member Davies, required emergency response plans to be submitted with initial applications for battery energy storage and other energy facilities and to be reviewed with local responders; it passed 7-0 to Utilities and Energy. AB 1075, concerning privately contracted firefighters, also passed on consent to Natural Resources. Finally, AB 1143, by Assembly Member Bennett, would create a voluntary statewide home hardening certification program through the State Fire Marshal; supporters called it a best-practices approach to reduce wildfire losses and insurance risk, and it passed to Natural Resources. The committee then completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned after all bills were moved out.

Transcript Highlights:

• water table.
• treatment, water disposal, water transportation, just dealing with waste water in the oil field.
• There's a potential new source of water. And this is brackish water.
• Water disposal wells close to underground sources of drinking water.
• You mean baseline water data, I guess, so. Water quality data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Californians, and two-thirds of Californians depend on water from the State Water Project.
• Moving over to the canals, the State Water Project: the canals have brought water again to 27 million
• from the State Water Project.
• Water District in support.
• Pass Water Agency, and the Chino Valley Water District, all in strong support.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and will be rescheduled. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures on the agenda were taken up briefly with public testimony, then moved to suspense without objection. Two bills received fuller presentations. SB 872 by Senator McNerney would create a fund to support repairs to Delta levees and State Water Project canals, with testimony from Restore the Delta, State Water Contractors, and numerous water agencies and coalitions emphasizing flood protection, water reliability for 27 million Californians, protection of state assets, and long-term infrastructure costs. Committee members noted the importance of the investment and the likelihood it would be considered in the final suspense decision; SB 872 was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize CDCR to use blue emergency lights on parole vehicles, with supporters from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association citing the line-of-duty death of a parole agent and the need for a low-cost, discretionary safety tool. The bill was also moved to suspense. SB 950, dealing with coverage for FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, was discussed as having a minimal near-term fiscal impact, though members noted costs could rise if new treatments emerge. The committee asked the author to consider a sunset amendment, but the bill received a do pass motion and was approved on a 7-0 vote, then placed on call for additional members. The remaining bills taken up, including SB 870, SB 1120, SB 888, SB 904, SB 986, SB 1029, SB 1186, SB 895, SB 1004, SB 1123, SB 909, SB 945, SB 1037, SB 953, SB 1001, SB 1188, SB 1407, SB 967, SB 1135, SB 1136, SB 988, SB 1069, SB 1000, SB 1024, SB 1179, SB 1025, SB 1040, SB 1081, SB 1091, SB 1131, SB 1138, SB 1146, SB 1279, SB 1158, SB 1401, SB 1162, SB 1293, SB 1334, SB 1382, SB 1397, SB 1178, SB 1414, SB 1214, SB 1218, SB 1257, SB 1265, SB 1286, SB 1322, SB 1337, SB 1340, SB 1276, SB 1358, and SB 1412, were moved to the suspense file without objection, with a few witnesses registering support or opposition on selected measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water is life. Water is life for our... Water is life. Water is life for our communities.
• Water is life for our families. Water is life for our economic health in Idaho.
• a healthy and viable water system is going to be... ...to keep a healthy and viable water system is
• I support water in Idaho. I have concerns about the language regarding... I support water in Idaho.
• I also know the long water, and I know the importance of water, and so I agree with everything in here

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved the corrected journal from the previous day. Members also noted Senator Woodward’s absence was excused due to his son’s injury and surgery. The day’s agenda was announced as including gubernatorial appointments and several water-related concurrent resolutions. The Senate adopted committee reports confirming David Dean to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board and Amy Anderson to the Commission of Pardons and Parole, with brief floor remarks supporting each nominee’s qualifications and experience. The chamber also received House Bill 559 from the House and introduced several new Senate bills, including measures on state budget limits, rural health transformation, chiropractic prescribing authority, mental health detention procedures, blindness reporting, and child protection. A major portion of the meeting focused on water policy. The Senate adopted SCR 117 on Water District 4 and SCR 119 on Water District 2, both supporting aquifer recharge, infrastructure modernization, dam and canal projects, and related water management efforts. SCR 118 on Water District 3 also passed after debate; several senators voiced support for water investments but objected to the cloud seeding language, citing concerns about the science, though the resolution still passed 31-3. SCR 116 was held on the calendar for one legislative day. The Senate then moved through remaining orders, heard announcements on various events, and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is securing those surface water supplies.
• 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.
• storage projects, water projects, water delivery projects.
• You know, water, when we lose it, it's gone.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Later, Governor Edmund Brown established the State Water Project, which again established water supplies
• Lastly, subsidence threatens to reduce water-carrying capacity of the State Water Project by 87%.
• As subsidence reduces the ability for water to flow through the State Water Project, it also reduces
• Water District, and the Southern California Water Coalition, all in strong support.
• Good afternoon, Brenda Bass, on behalf of Mojave Water Agency and Western Municipal Water District, in

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair Central Valley subsidence damage and Delta levees to protect State Water Project deliveries. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to safeguard water for 27 million Californians, prevent threats to life and billions in infrastructure, and address long-standing levee and canal vulnerabilities. Testimony in support came from Restore the Delta, the Central Coast Water Authority, and a broad coalition of water agencies, environmental groups, local governments, and business interests; one organization, the California Chamber of Commerce, supported if amended to include federal conveyance infrastructure. No opposition witnesses appeared. Members from both parties praised the bipartisan coalition and discussed funding, beneficiary-pays concerns, and the need to prioritize water infrastructure. The committee voted 5-0 to pass SB 872 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author and tribal co-sponsors framed the measure as a science-based, consultation-driven roadmap that would not authorize reintroduction but would evaluate habitat, impacts, and implementation. Supporters, including tribal representatives, conservation groups, and animal welfare organizations, emphasized the grizzly’s cultural significance, ecological role, and the value of planning for coexistence. Opposition came from retired and current law enforcement, county officials, ranching and hunting groups, and rural representatives, who raised public safety, staffing, livestock, and wildlife-management concerns, arguing the Department of Fish and Wildlife lacks resources for another apex predator. Committee members debated whether risk, public safety, local control, and potential reintroduction areas should be addressed earlier in the process. The author agreed to consider amendments on those points and on funding and local authority. The committee voted 4-1 to pass SB 1305 as amended to Appropriations, with the bill held on call. The committee also heard SB 1079, which would create a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to identify firefighter needs, test new technologies, and speed deployment of successful wildfire tools. The author said the bill would formalize a pipeline from pilot projects to statewide use and build on existing Cal Fire technology efforts. Support came from Megafire Action, Fireworks, Aurora Tech, and the Orange County Fire Authority; the California Association of Realtors supported if amended to allow nonprofits to administer grants directly to homeowners. With no opposition testimony, the bill was moved on a 2-0 vote and held on call pending additional members. The committee later took up SB 997, a district bill for the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency that would grant lien authority so it can enforce groundwater fees and sustainability plan requirements without relying on civil litigation. Support came from water contractors, rural counties, and county associations; members discussed whether similar authority should be extended to other GSAs. The bill was moved on a 2-0 vote to Judiciary and held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason why that is is because, you know, for a boat on the water, if something happens on the water
• There’s a lot of great water there.
• We'll take it off the water.
• They got out on the water. They removed their boats from the water. They put them on trailers.
• the water, or even if it's only touching the water at high tide, the state comes in and handles that

Summary: The subcommittee received an overview from FWC Deputy Director in Law Enforcement Lt. Col. Rob Rowe on boating safety, derelict vessels, and marine debris. On boating safety, he said FWC uses inspections, BUI enforcement, public education campaigns, boater education courses, warnings, and citations to reduce accidents and fatalities. Members asked about probable cause for stops, geofenced safety messages, boating education age requirements, and common violations such as life jacket issues. Rowe said most stops are based on probable cause, the education requirement currently applies to those born after Jan. 1, 1988, and FWC is considering whether broader education requirements would improve safety. The committee then focused heavily on derelict vessels. Rowe explained the legal definition of a derelict vessel, the at-risk and nuisance vessel tools used to intervene earlier, and the V-TIP voluntary turn-in program. He described the removal process, including owner notification, a 21-day administrative hearing period, contractor selection, and disposal/recycling, and said FWC works with local governments, emergency management, and sometimes the Coast Guard on larger pollution-related cases. Members asked about timelines, costs, salvage rules, title issues, and jurisdictional differences between state, county, city, and federal authorities. Rowe said the agency has added staff and grant tools, but continued funding remains important, and he noted that local governments can also use ordinances to address floating structures, liveaboards, anchoring, and storm-related risks. On marine debris, Rowe said FWC works with DEP, FDACS, NOAA, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, local governments, and volunteers to remove debris ranging from plastics to storm-damaged fishing gear and derelict vessels. He said hurricane events greatly increase debris and derelict vessel removals, and the agency is updating the Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan with partners. The meeting ended after members and the vice chair emphasized local tools such as mooring fields and pumpout enforcement, and the subcommittee adjourned without taking any formal vote or action beyond rising without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• in water consumption.
• and water efficiency.
• and water efficiency.
• as a water source?
• water supply?

Summary: The committee hearing covered a long agenda of local government and housing-related bills, with the chair repeatedly noting the committee was operating without a quorum for much of the meeting. Several measures were heard with no opposition, including AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1788 on allowing best-value contracting for general law cities and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments, AB 2058 on reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 on clarifying historic resource protections in a housing law, AB 2568 on increasing the compensation cap for water district board members, AB 2224 on updating county recorder fees and requiring electronic recording, AB 2469 on water-supply review and cost responsibility for data centers, and AB 2397 on requiring local governments to justify denials of certain housing-finance decisions. Most of these bills were presented as targeted fixes to improve efficiency, reduce delays, or modernize outdated statutes, and the authors generally requested aye votes and noted committee amendments where applicable. The most extended debate centered on AB 1751, which would streamline approval of qualifying townhome projects while setting a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered private projects. Supporters argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union residential workers, and preserve existing prevailing wage law while adding enforcement tools and developer liability. Opponents, including several building trades and labor organizations, argued it would undercut prevailing wage standards, create a race to the bottom, and potentially affect wage-setting more broadly. Committee members asked detailed questions about land-use barriers, the relationship to prevailing wage, and whether the bill would affect unionized work; the author and supporters responded that it applies narrowly to private for-sale townhome projects and does not alter prevailing wage requirements. AB 2469 also drew a substantive split. Supporters said data centers should be required to provide water-supply assessments before approval, pay for infrastructure they trigger, and account for impacts on overdrafted groundwater basins and local ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, Data Center Coalition, counties, and tech groups argued existing law already covers water planning, that the bill imposes unique and burdensome requirements on one industry, and that some reporting provisions could raise security concerns. The author responded that the bill is about front-end planning and local accountability, not daily reporting, and emphasized the hyperlocal strain data centers can place on small water systems. No final votes were taken during the hearing because the committee lacked a quorum, though members repeatedly indicated support or intent to vote aye once a quorum was present.

Transcript Highlights:

• So up there at the top you see the Board of Water Supply or Department of Water Supply.
• Water use within a designated water management area generally requires a water use permit.
• And then for both ground and surface water, we have water use permits.
• Um, water use permits are a little different... Water use permits are a little different.
• Um, Big Island, don't they have a lot of water? Probably they have issues. Water?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, who owns those water rights? What happens to those water rights?
• But the water that they do use is intended for watering the vegetation.
• That water would be treated at the site through a water treatment plant to drinking water standards,
• That water goes to a water pump. treatment plant and would be treated to drinking water standards prior
• from a mine without a water right, and it doesn't grant a water right.

Transcript Highlights:

• their water through our State Water Project.
• And this is safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience.
• communities rely on the water from the State Water Project.
• communities rely on the water from the State Water Project.
• and clean water.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate, Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation opened its first hearing on the governor’s natural resources budget with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency. Crowfoot reviewed California’s recent climate and environmental challenges—drought, wildfire, heat, sea level rise, and federal uncertainty—and highlighted progress on clean energy, zero-emission vehicles, wildfire resilience, water management, coastal planning, conservation, tribal land return, and streamlined project delivery. Members praised his engagement and the administration’s work with tribes, and Crowfoot emphasized that the administration is focused on finishing major projects, improving nature-based solutions, and considering whether some temporary streamlining measures should be codified. He also discussed the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership and said the state is working with other Mediterranean-climate governments on wildfire, drought, and heat response. Members and the LAO then focused on budget conditions and priorities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state budget remains precarious despite strong revenues, with the governor’s proposal relying on borrowing and reserves and leaving large out-year deficits unresolved. The LAO urged a high bar for new spending, especially in a deficit environment, and recommended prioritizing immediate health and safety needs, avoiding new ongoing commitments, and thinking carefully about special funds. On Proposition 4, the LAO said the administration’s approach generally appeared reasonable and consistent with the bond, but noted implementation has been slow and that the Legislature may want to use appropriations language to shape broad programs such as home hardening, outdoor recreation, and climate education. The chair stressed that climate and environmental funds should be used for their intended purposes and that wildfire spending should shift more toward community hardening and home protection. The hearing then turned to water resilience and Proposition 4 spending. Department of Finance and department staff outlined the bond’s water-related funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, water recycling, stormwater, groundwater management, dam safety, and the State Water Project. Members pressed for details on how funds would be prioritized, how grants would reach disadvantaged communities, and how the state would track the bond’s 40% target for vulnerable communities. Staff said new tools and reporting systems are being used to monitor allocations, and that AB 107 and related changes should speed up grant implementation by reducing redundant regulatory steps. The committee also discussed dam safety needs, State Water Project repairs, groundwater implementation grants, and the risk of relying on uncertain future revenues from the Salton Sea lithium tax. No votes were taken, and the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• standards uses 50% less water.
• the waters of the state.
• water.
• water.
• water quality control plan, That the water board considered housing in developing the water quality

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing production, affordability, and timelines. Chair Pacheco and Assemblymember Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage and the need to reduce costs while maintaining environmental, safety, and community protections. The first panel featured housing experts and industry representatives who argued that state regulations, code complexity, utility constraints, and agency review processes add substantial cost and delay to development. Bill Fulton described overlapping state and local land-use authorities and the tension among housing, coastal protection, climate, and wildfire goals. CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and California Apartment Association representative Bob Raymer said building codes, energy mandates, and agency processes have materially increased per-home costs, and they urged more centralized affordability analysis and greater scrutiny of regulatory impacts. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger timelines and accountability for state agency reviews. The second panel brought in state agencies to explain their roles. HCD said its housing element enforcement, streamlining laws, and technical assistance have helped increase production, shorten entitlement timelines, and improve compliance by local governments. CARB said SB 375 is a planning law that does not directly regulate land use, and argued that regional housing assumptions in sustainable communities strategies are not being fully implemented on the ground. The Coastal Commission said it works with local governments to balance coastal protection, sea-level-rise risk, and housing, and noted recent guidance and pilot efforts to streamline housing approvals in the coastal zone. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are designed to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design and documentation complexity. Fish and Wildlife and DTSC both emphasized early engagement and collaboration to reduce delays while protecting natural resources and public health; DTSC said it is refining vapor intrusion guidance and using brownfield grants to support redevelopment. The State Water Resources Control Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to provide predictable permitting while balancing water quality, water rights, and housing needs, and noted billions in grants and loans for water infrastructure and site remediation that can support housing affordability. In response to questions from Assemblymember Haney, several agencies described ongoing coordination across departments, including regular meetings among HCD, CARB, the Coastal Commission, and transportation agencies, as well as broader interagency efforts to reduce redundancies and identify pinch points in project delivery. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the main outcome was informational testimony and discussion of possible future reforms to improve coordination, predictability, and affordability in state regulatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The water stored and managed here drives the agriculture The water stored and managed here drives the
• Water is life. Water is life for our... Water is life. Water is life for our communities.
• Water is life for our families. Water is life for our economic health in Idaho.
• I support water in Idaho. I have concerns about the language regarding... I support water in Idaho.
• the water infrastructure projects ongoing in the second water district in our state. ...of the water

Summary: The Senate convened with 34 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and heard an opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chaplain’s prayer focused on drought, low snowpack, and asking for rain and conservation, and the Senate also noted Senator Woodward’s absence due to his son’s injury. Senator Den Hartog outlined the day’s plan, including gubernatorial appointments and several water-related concurrent resolutions. The Senate confirmed David Dean to the Idaho Endowment Fund Investment Board and Amy Anderson to the Commission of Pardons and Parole after committee reports and brief debate highlighting Dean’s financial and business background and Anderson’s 30 years with the Department of Corrections. The chamber also received House Bill 559 and introduced several Senate bills, including measures on state budget limits, rural health transformation, chiropractic prescribing, mental health detention, blindness reporting, and child protection. The main policy action centered on water resolutions. SCR 117, supporting Water District 4 projects such as managed aquifer recharge, cloud seeding, infrastructure modernization, and the Upper Snake River Study, passed after debate. SCR 118, supporting Water District 3 projects in the Magic Valley, including Milner Dam work, the Little Wood River Channel project, and canal improvements, also passed by roll call despite several senators voting no over cloud seeding language. SCR 119, supporting Water District 2 projects including Treasure Valley recharge, the Mountain Home Air Force Base water conveyance project, and Anderson Ranch Dam work, was adopted by voice vote. The Senate then moved through second-reading business, referred SB 1232 to the 14th order for possible amendment, and adjourned until 11:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Boundary Waters.
• </c> protect our people and our waters. protect our people and our waters.
• They propose large water treatment ponds and water treatment systems to treat the water from their mining
• They propose large water treatment ponds and water treatment systems to treat the water from their mining
• They propose large water treatment ponds and water treatment systems to treat the water from their mining

Keywords: 1187, senate, all