Transcript Highlights:

• The prudent course trust resource.
• the division of aquatic resources the division of aquatic resources proposing<00:23:49.280> to
• <00:51:46.480> families livelihoods for many local families livelihoods for many local families
• <01:05:29.359> It's Resources. I'd say that's correct. It's Resources.
• Department of Land and Natural Resources Department of Land and Natural Resources doing<01:21:17.440

Bills: HB2101

Keywords: aquatic life, commercial aquarium purposes, Hawaii, environmental protection, sustainability, Native Hawaiian values, marine resources, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Water and Land heard testimony on House Bill 21101, which would ban or otherwise end commercial aquarium collection. Chairs opened the hearing with a short time limit for testimony and noted they would move to decision-making before the next committee meeting. The Department of Land and Natural Resources said it appreciated the bill’s intent and stood on written testimony, while the Office of Hawaiian Affairs strongly supported the measure as part of its legislative package, citing community calls to ban the practice. Many other organizations and individuals also testified in support, including environmental, Native Hawaiian, and community groups, with arguments focused on reef protection, public trust, cultural concerns, and the view that the trade is extractive and not sustainable. Supporters repeatedly cited declines in yellow tang and other reef fish, especially on West Hawaii and Oahu, and argued that reef recovery has not occurred where collection pressure existed. Several testified that legal aquarium collection has not occurred in West Hawaii since 2017 or on Oahu since 2021, and that the state should not reopen an industry that has been effectively shut down for years. Others said the program is fiscally inefficient because permits generate little revenue compared with the cost of administering and enforcing the program, and that aquaculture or other alternatives could provide jobs without removing wild fish. Native Hawaiian speakers and civic club representatives emphasized traditional and customary practices, community stewardship, and the need to protect resources for future generations. Opposition testimony came from aquarium fishers and related advocates who argued the fishery has been shown sustainable, that the EIS process was completed, and that the bill would unfairly target one user group over another. They said the trade provides livelihoods for local families, that management is solid, and that the legislature should not ban a fishery after requiring compliance with environmental review. Some opponents also argued that fish populations have increased in recent years and that the issue reflects broader user conflict rather than science. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair continued taking testimony, including on Zoom, as time allowed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Agencies are in attendance as resource witnesses.
• There is no need for the local electric utility to make. subsequent determinations.
• We do have the PUC here as a resource witness. Anyone has any questions for them?
• Yes, sir. 52 to 57. are really wholly owned by those local governments.
• I'm the Director of Infrastructure and Natural Resources Policy for Texas 2036.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• All we have right now is the class A misdemeanor, and we have DPS here as well as a resource. resource
• That's all I have for the resource. Mr.
• Expand this resource in El Paso. But as the landscape changes.
• It would be good if somebody could resource us on that, because it's one of the concerns you have.
• All right, well, hopefully we can ask DPS that question. a resource to us.

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• And resource management will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Gates? Here.
• House Bill 5380 helps bring resources to more communities by allowing counties to adopt criteria for
• HB 3572 is a timely and thoughtful improvement to the local government code.
• Chairman Gates, and I would say my local colleague, Dr.
• We've worked with the local officials, and we're all in support of this.

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• Local regulations governing short-term rentals in cities are expressly allowed to extend those regulations
• As a local housing leader, we should be taking a more nuanced approach to how we look at helpful and
• However, as we have discussed, the mandated changes to our local development code would unfortunately
• The restrictions that local governments place on the construction of who can build, what can be built
• Additionally, we have a significant parking issue due to overriding local parking requirements.

Bills: HB407, HB871, HB882, HB2011, HB3572, HB3578, HB4038, HB4866, HB4897, HB4978, HB5380, HB5555, HB5668, HB5670, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, SB673

Keywords: solar energy, residential construction, building code, municipal regulations, energy compliance, building codes, interconnection, education, funding, teacher support, student resources, school infrastructure, municipal requirements, environmental sustainability, municipalities, construction, agricultural operation, International Code Council, county regulations, construction fees

Transcript Highlights:

• Local school districts, municipalities, and counties like mine, reliant on local ad valorem property
• First, as a rule, TWA does not engage on a local project.
• As a rule, TWA does not engage on a local project.
• And we do have to have more resources for desalination.
• First, my district supports incentivizing alternative water resources.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard House Bill 2109, which would remove certain long-proposed reservoir projects from the state water plan after 50 years without progress. Chairman Van Deaver and many landowners, local officials, timber interests, and conservation advocates testified in support, arguing that the Marvin Nichols Reservoir has burdened Northeast Texas landowners for decades with the threat of eminent domain, depressed property values, and uncertainty over homes, farms, ranches, schools, churches, and cemeteries. Supporters also said the project would flood tens of thousands of acres, require extensive mitigation, harm timber and agriculture, and that Texas now has better alternatives such as conservation, reuse, aquifer storage and recovery, and desalination. Several members expressed sympathy for the affected families and questioned whether a project could remain in the plan indefinitely without progress. Opposition came from North Texas water interests, including the North Texas Commission, Tarrant Regional Water District, and the Texas Water Association, who argued that the bill would interfere with the state’s long-term water planning process and remove needed future supply options for a fast-growing region. They said Region C faces major projected shortages by 2070, that conservation and reuse have already delayed the need for new supplies, and that reservoirs remain one tool in the state’s water-planning toolbox. TWDB staff explained the existing inter-regional conflict process and noted that the substitute would affect several unique reservoir sites, not just Marvin Nichols. After testimony, Chairman Van Deaver closed by urging passage of the bill, but the committee withdrew the substitute and left HB 2109 pending. The committee then took up House Bill 5188, a brackish groundwater bill. The author said the bill would reduce permitting burdens for wells in designated brackish groundwater production zones, and the committee substitute added requirements on monitoring, groundwater-rights ownership, and allocation of pumpage limits while removing some exclusions and export-fee provisions. Texas Wildlife Association testified against the bill, warning that the exemptions could weaken groundwater conservation districts’ ability to protect freshwater resources and surface-owner rights. San Antonio Water System testified in favor, saying brackish groundwater is a key future supply and that the substitute would help speed development of desalination and brackish projects. The Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts testified neutrally but raised concerns about reduced district oversight, especially around injection-well exclusions and the loss of export fees, and said discussions on the bill were ongoing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local school districts, municipalities, Municipalities and counties like mine, reliant on local ad valorem
• We never engage on a local project.
• If the members have questions for our resource witness...
• If the members have questions for our resource witness...
• If the members have questions for our resource witness...

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the opportunity to lay out this local bill, House Bill 46. 646 before you today.
• I'm here as a resource. Witness and be happy to answer any questions.
• TCEQ, would anyone like to hear from that resource witness?
• The legislation is supported by local stakeholders.
• This bill has support from our local communities and all area reps. That's it.

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Natural Resources will come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
• If not, we'll call upon the resource witnesses, David Repp, Texas General.
• The economic value of glass is very dependent on local markets.
• That's a huge waste and has a resource value of $3.8 billion.
• Senate Committee on Natural Resources, hearing and seeing none.

Bills: SB410, SB795, SB2510, SB728, SB2689, HB143, HB143

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, beverage container recycling, deposit return system, container deposit, bottle bill, recycling refund

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Natural Resources will come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• Uh, good morning, Chair Harris, and members of the Natural Resources Committee.
• Uh, Ben Barkley, Office of Public Utility counsel, and I'm just here as a resource witness.
• Members, we also have a resource witness from the Public Utility commission.
• Because we know that water is a precious resource around Texas, right?

Bills: HB 29, HB 685, HB 1633, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 1918, HB 2010, HB 2500, HB 2608, HB 2626

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an effort by 27 entities—both public entities, private entities, local entities, state entities
• I think we would be able to handle it given the resources we have currently. Okay, thank you.
• I think as users and consumers, as you guys are, resources to deal with these leaking pipes.
• Additionally, we also have a resource witness from the Water Development Board.
• In an attempt to address the impacts of these projects, local jurisdictions began to...

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural Resources will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Chairman Harris? Here.
• Reuse locally, where we use the water, is a huge advantage to us.
• But I'm sure TCEQ, if they have a resource, can explain that.
• Members, we also have a resource witness from the Public Utility Commission.
• Because we know that water is a precious resource around Texas, right?

Bills: HB29, HB685, HB1633, HB1689, HB1690, HB1918, HB2010, HB2500, HB2608, HB2626, HB29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Bills: SCR159

Keywords: Waikiki, beach restoration, shoreline management, public access, environmental protection, coastal resources, tourism, economic development, traditional practices, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as a state in 10 years, 20 years, based on regions, and then really work up and say here are the resources
• document to help us look forward to the future and work together among all branches of government, local
• statewide Challenges around housing shortage, but also how that connects to our cities, our cities and local
• SB 1998 will take care of that and allow local Communities to define what they call a quality event to

Bills: SB1332, SB1378, SB1525, SB1771, SB1919, SB1998, SB2018, SB260, SB264

Keywords: housing, infrastructure, water projects, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, economic development, zero-interest loans, clawback provision, local contractors, Olympics, funding, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, local businesses, revolving fund, event hosting, SB1525, tourism, recreation, conference, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a local match, 20% of total cost.
• is<00:09:43.600> a<00:09:43.760> match<00:09:44.880> uh<00:09:45.120> local
• <00:09:45.440> match funds. there is a match uh local match funds. there is a match uh local

Bills: HB247, HB317, HB318, HB253, HB271, HB135, HB247, HB317, HB318, HB253, HB271, HB135

Keywords: Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, age verification, parental consent, consumer protection, app store regulations, data privacy, Internet filters, digital safety, minors protection, civil liability, device manufacturers, obscenity, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that local taxes are going back up.
• Local taxing jurisdictions as well.
• Bring me some protections from my local government so that we can make local spending decisions.
• Because we have done nothing to rein in local property taxing entities.
• So you can be pulled over by a local municipality law enforcement and...

Bills: HB18, SB 54, SB 10, HR 76, HR 77, HR 78, HR 82, HR 83, HR 88, HR 89, HR 93, HR 94, HR 95, HR 98, HR 101, HR 102, HR 104, HR 105, HR 107, HR 108, HR 109, HR 110, HR 111, HR 112, HR 113, HR 123, HR 125, HR 79, HR 80, HR 81, HR 84, HR 85, HR 86, HR 87, HR 90, HR 91, HR 92, HR 96, HR 97, HR 100, HR 103, HR 106, HR 114, HR 115, HR 116, HR 117, HR 118, HR 119, HR 120, HR 121, HR 122, HR 124, HB 18, SB 54, SB 10, HB 8

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:18:45.520> and<00:18:45.720> proper mental health resources, and proper mental
• health resources, and proper professional<00:18:46.800> support.
• Okay, we'll be moving on to SCR 85, related to the Department of Human Resources and Workforce Development
• 19:45.080> Department<00:19:45.480> of<00:19:45.560> Human<00:19:45.800> Resources
• related to Department of Human Resources related to Department of Human Resources and<00:19:47.080

Bills: HCR112

Keywords: HCR112, House Concurrent Resolution, DHRD, Department of Human Resources Development, civil service, classification system, compensation system, salary study, pay scale, job classification, position classification, state workforce, vacancy rate, hard-to-fill positions, labor shortage, recruitment, retention, public employees, state agencies, labor organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• security, and local supply chains. security, and local supply chains.
• Everything is local.
• Everything is local.
• resources, more support, more staff. resources, more support, more staff.
• were always looking for more resources. were always looking for more resources.

Bills: HB1601, HB1828, HB1616, HB1603, HB1606, HB1604, HB1605

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• Meeting of the Environmental Resources Finance and Policy Committee meeting to order.
• And local government.
• We've had meetings with our local representative, Representative Bliss, as well as our local senator,
• pass-through grants from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
• In 2025, additional local matches are being sought.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:55.600> to The MPCA needs additional resources to The MPCA needs additional resources
• product testing, lab analysis, and local product testing, lab analysis, and local and<00:12:41.040
• We also are resources to that work.
• the department of uh resource the department of uh resource management.<00:49:07.599> And
• By $34,500 in local matches in 2025. Additional local matches are being sought.

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty