Transcript Highlights:

• trust fund.
• </c> Senator<02:36:51.040><c> Waters.</c> Senator Waters. Senator Waters.
• fund, discretionary fund and development fund, discretionary fund and the<03:15:36.960><c> U</c><03:
• I'm not sure if those were the ARPA funds, if those were onetime ARPA funds or CARES Act funds. No.
• funds? funds?

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state has been blessed with two historic surpluses and funding needs for water and...
• Water Fund, the needs in that program have doubled since SWIFT was created in 2013.
• Fund to address our extraordinarily overdue water needs.
• This fund allows for that.
• It's 1.7% of the fund. Instead of more like 10% of the fund, or actually 17% of the fund.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Without the use of public funds.
• Without the use of public funds.
• with water supply.
• plans for water supply.
• shortage issues when the water supply water shortage issues when the water supply assessment was not

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government authority. SB 911 would require notification to fire agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold under an agreement to complete defensible space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 would bar local officials from entering nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it passed 4-0 as amended. The consent calendar, including SB 958 and several other bills, was also adopted 4-0. The committee then took up SB 1041, which would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements statewide and add consumer protections, hardship provisions, and reporting requirements. Supporters, including Renew Financial and Cal Fire Local 2881, argued it would help homeowners finance fire-resistant roofs, vents, and other upgrades. Opponents, including homeowner advocates, county tax collectors, mortgage lenders, and consumer groups, warned that PACE has a history of contractor abuse, high costs, liens that survive bankruptcy, and risks to vulnerable homeowners. After extended debate, the bill advanced 3-2 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1075 would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality impacts and community emissions reduction plans when approving certain commercial and industrial projects. Environmental justice supporters said the bill would help implement long-promised pollution reductions in heavily burdened communities, while business, local government, planning, and industry groups argued it duplicated CEQA and existing permitting processes, created litigation risk, and could deter investment and jobs. The bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958, relating to the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, was presented as a path for a long-planned housing and entertainment project with at least 4,250 homes, including 2,000 affordable units, and it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1182 would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas. The author said the bill responds to rising insurance costs and the Fair Plan’s growth, while supporters said it would better align land-use decisions with wildfire risk. Opponents and some committee members argued the bill was too vague, could burden cities, and would not solve the underlying insurance market problem. The discussion was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We hardly have water to support North Florida's drinking water today.
• Reclaimed water, cleaned water, comes out.
• So you... with their mandatory state fund balance, general fund balance requirement.
• about adequate funds in NICA.
• I've heard a lot, and we all have heard a lot today about funding, funding, funding.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide financial assistance from the Safe Drinking Water Revolution.
• Fund to Water Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Senate Bill 1607 by Campbell, relating to the creation
• Senate Bill 1623 by Johnson. relating to the dedication of certain water rights to the Texas Water Trust
• to water agriculture and rural affairs. by Johnson relating the purposes for which the Texas Water Bank
• and the Texas Water Trust and hold water rights to water agriculture and rural affairs.

Bills: SJR60 , SJR62 , SJR65 , SJR66 , SJR67 , SJR68 , SCR27 , SCR28 , SCR29 , SB1576 , SB1577 , SB1578 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1581 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1586 , SB1587 , SB1588 , SB1589 , SB1590 , SB1591 , SB1592 , SB1593 , SB1594 , SB1595 , SB1596 , SB1597 , SB1598 , SB1599 , SB1600 , SB1601 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1604 , SB1605 , SB1606 , SB1607 , SB1608 , SB1609 , SB1610 , SB1611 , SB1612 , SB1613 , SB1614 , SB1615 , SB1616 , SB1618 , SB1619 , SB1620 , SB1622 , SB1623 , SB1624 , SB1625 , SJR60 , SJR62 , SJR65 , SJR66 , SJR67 , SJR68 , SCR27 , SCR28 , SCR29 , SB1576 , SB1577 , SB1578 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1581 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1586 , SB1587 , SB1588 , SB1589 , SB1590 , SB1591 , SB1592 , SB1593 , SB1594 , SB1595 , SB1596 , SB1597 , SB1598 , SB1599 , SB1600 , SB1601 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1604 , SB1605 , SB1606 , SB1607 , SB1608 , SB1609 , SB1610 , SB1611 , SB1612 , SB1613 , SB1614 , SB1615 , SB1616 , SB1618 , SB1619 , SB1620 , SB1622 , SB1623 , SB1624 , SB1625

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> water cycle. water cycle.
• ><c> some</c> municipal water, potable water of some municipal water, potable water of some sort<00:02
• . water. water.
• water stays in the water evaporative water stays in the water cycle<00:09:16.760><c> as</c><00:09:16.920
• . water. water.

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Designated water ski course.
• They've been out water skiing trying to get the very best water of the day.
• or use water from a municipality, water district, or water or sewer system that is functioning.
• This is the same as if you put water on a field to water crops. It's called a consumptive use.
• Water.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water treatment and sanitation systems protect the public's health, and storm water management systems
• </c> and in addition our especially our water and in addition our especially our water and<00:02:02.000
• , having a replacement fund, you know, gradually raising their water and sewer fees to help pay for that
• So billion worth of funding requests.
• Who gets funded and proposals you get? Who gets funded and why? why? why?

Transcript Highlights:

• city council controls the funding.
• This misalignment of responsibility and funding has really, over the years, elevated politics in funding
• Where does your funding come from?
• This will make the Sewer and Water Board better.
• Well, if I’ve personally taken the water management class because Broussard owns the water systems, I

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485 , SB517 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB362 , HB368 , HB377 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB664 , HB741 , HB822 , HB990 , HB1243

Committee: Senate Municipal

Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fund managers will be chosen based on those guidelines.
• However, OSHA has no guidelines to require water breaks or rest.
• We have members at Workers' Defense Action Fund who have had close calls.
• People could not have access to cool water or time to take a break.
• You'll have foremen who, you know, need to make sure there's water.

Bills: HB446 , HB1609 , HB4443 , HB4464 , HB4735 , HB5476

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> or water quality. It's about boating. or water quality. It's about boating.
• </c> drinking water over boating. drinking water over boating.
• , storm water reuse, all these other water conservation issues.
• Water is our identity.
• Uh water is already stressed aquifer. Uh water is our<01:03:12.480><c> identity.

Bills: HF1531 , HF4017 , HF3399 , HF4146 , HF4019 , HF3677

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is what's now known as the Larry Larrañaga Fund or the Rainy Day Fund.
• House Bill 83 created the Early Childhood Education and Care Fund, funded with.
• Water rights are as much a part of our work as protecting the water rights.
• The water is included in the easement. So, the water rights will stay with the property.
• Projects and high on that list is the availability of water and how water protection would be served

Committee: Joint Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to our drinking water state revolving fund, the Big Sandy Water District’s Fund F loan in the
• The North Marshall Water District’s Fund loan in the amount of $2,450,000 is for its PFAS mitigation
• <c> District's</c><00:34:02.000><c> Fund</c> The North Marshall Water District's Fund The North Marshall
• District’s Fund loan is in the amount of $6,196,000 and is for its IP North water main project.
• c> F</c><00:35:08.800><c> loan</c> County Water District's uh fund F loan County Water District's uh

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• We love the water. We respect all parts of the water. We are not the problem.
• We love the waters.
• I have been aggressive with people on the water.
• Again, you have a water meter in your house.
• But the water would filter into it.

Transcript Highlights:

• drinking water for our residents.
• </c> providing this that the funding providing this that the funding necessary<00:13:24.760><c> to</c
• </c> leverage significant federal funding. leverage significant federal funding.
• preservation funds.
• </c><01:12:41.360><c> We</c> water. We are pro clean environment. We water.

Bills: HF3599 , HF3761 , HF3523 , HF3515 , HF573

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• They're in the Boundary Waters.
• They're in the Boundary Waters.
• They're in the Boundary Waters.
• They're in the Boundary Waters.
• They're in the Boundary Waters.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• WHAT I WILL SAY IS, THERE IS A FIXED AMOUNT OF WATER ON THE PLANET BUT 91% OF ALL THE WATER, VAPOR, LIQUID
• THE FARMERS GET PISSED OFF BECAUSE THEY WANT THE WATER.
• PROTECT OUR WATER AND THE VERY AIR THAT WE BREATHE.
• WATER YOUR LAWN BUT FLOODING RESTRICTIONS WITH RAIN.
• WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING IN THE AIR, SOIL, WATER.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leaving a vessel on the water in a derelict condition is a crime.
• It's easier than it has ever been before for local governments to receive funding, and that funding is
• We can, in some cases, take boats off the water and store them.
• We have given them a chunk of funding out of the ARPA.
• We have given them a chunk of funding out of the ARPA funding that we received to help them do vessel

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources received a presentation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on derelict vessels, enforcement challenges, and a long-term stored vessel study. FWC reported about 1,040 derelict vessels currently in its database, with roughly 600 new cases entering each year, and noted that hurricanes account for a large share of recent cases. The agency explained the legal definition of derelict vessels, the environmental and navigation hazards they create, and its enforcement process, including investigation, notice to owners, administrative hearings, removal authorization, and recovery of costs through registration holds. FWC also described prevention efforts such as at-risk vessel enforcement, nuisance vessel designations, public awareness campaigns, and the vessel turn-in program, which has received more than 250 applications and removed more than 145 vessels since rollout. Committee members asked about owner resistance to removal, rapid-response options for hazardous vessels, county differences in derelict vessel numbers, and how local governments participate. FWC said only a small percentage of owners contest removals, that the agency relies on contractors and does not generally have its own removal equipment, and that local governments may conduct removals with their own funding but must still provide due process. Members also asked where removed vessels go; FWC said they are taken to landfills, with recyclable materials recovered, and that storage is used only when necessary for public safety because it is costly. The presentation also highlighted the long-term stored vessel study, which found a strong correlation between long-term anchored vessels and later derelict vessels, especially in Monroe County. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after Senator Errington moved to adjourn and there was no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got to fund them properly. We've got to fund them properly.
• But we've got to fund these programs. We've got to fund state government.
• But we've got to fund these programs. We've got to fund state government.
• But we've got to fund these programs. We've got to fund state government.
• It also concerns water.

Bills: SB2122 , SB330 , SB2071 , SB2169 , SB2069 , SB2095 , SB2157

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 2122, which would give the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry more flexibility to allow out-of-state poultry processing when in-state processing is unavailable. Supporters said the bill would help poultry producers who face short processing windows and lack sufficient in-state capacity, while opponents raised questions about food safety and environmental standards. The bill passed 13-0. The committee then took up Senate Bill 330, as amended, to help the Oklahoma State Veterinary School Committee study and support the state’s growing elk herd in western Oklahoma. An amendment updated dates and removed a fiscal section, and the bill passed 11-2. Senate Bill 271 followed, updating dairy regulation authority from milk from cows and goats to milk from all hoofed mammals and increasing the milk production fee from one cent to two cents per hundredweight. The Department of Agriculture said the change was needed to preserve Grade A status, maintain interstate milk shipping, and cover program costs without subsidizing the dairy program from poultry fees. After extensive debate over fees, federal pressure, raw milk safety, and state sovereignty, the bill passed 8-7. Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 2169, which creates a framework for managing invasive woody species and cedar removal on state lands to improve forage, reduce wildfire risk, conserve water, and increase school land revenues; it passed 12-1. Senate Bill 269, addressing baiting in migratory bird hunting and related penalties for guides, also passed 12-1. Senate Bill 2095, setting fees and fines for hunting guides and outfitters, passed 12-1 after questions about misdemeanor versus felony penalties. Finally, Senate Bill 2157, creating a Southeast Scenic Rivers framework, passed 8-5 after testimony that it would protect water resources and avoid federal scenic river designation, while critics argued it could expand government and affect property and agricultural rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• We I think we can cover water water.
• One thing that will make a big difference when it is completed is the water infrastructure study funded
• One thing that will make a big difference when it is completed is the water infrastructure study funded
• One thing that will make a big difference when it is completed is the water infrastructure study funded
• </c> water foot of a water line was $200. water foot of a water line was $200.

Committee: Joint Appropriations