Video & Transcript Research : 'water efficiency'

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TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 9th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • With regard to water and sewer utilities, this bill amends section 13.185H of the Water Code to apply
  • we're not making our own government buildings, our universities more efficient.
  • The earth is pressurized it just like a water balloon. The water comes out.
  • We in the energy efficiency community like our acronyms, the largest independent energy efficiency focused
  • Energy efficiency is always the most inexpensive energy, period.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 9th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • With regard to water and sewer utilities, this bill amends Section 13.185A of the Water Code to apply
  • , more efficient, then it helps all of us and ultimately helps the grid.
  • programs. what energy efficiency programs are available in their territory.
  • We in the energy efficiency community like our acronyms.
  • As the number one most efficient bill that's going to put energy back into our grid, energy efficiency
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 9th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, this is Vice-Chair Hernandez's bill, allowing the SECO to adopt energy efficiency rules.
  • Bid competition can provide excellent efficiency and timeliness on projects.
  • Project labor agreements (PLAs) ensure projects are completed efficiently.
  • Additionally, project labor agreements (PLAs) help ensure the timely and efficient completion of projects
  • All right, we're going to show that Perry Fowler has been here on behalf of Texas Water Infrastructure
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/11/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • hydrant Without Water waste water fire hydrant Without Water waste water fire hydrant system<00:
  • <00:36:41.040> almost<00:36:41.319> a water towers of water that's almost a water towers
  • <00:36:55.800> plant water from our water treatment plant water from our water treatment plant
  • <01:04:33.799> to Water with our treatment plant water to Water with our treatment plant water
  • above ground water storage and our water above ground water storage and our water tower<01:32:40.440
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Basically what we are looking at is a way to invest in our water infrastructure, water and wastewater
  • Basically what we are looking at is a way to invest in our water infrastructure, water and wastewater
  • So will this be for municipalities, municipal infrastructure, and rural water, both?
  • Anytime waters in a bill, there's always going to be some controversy, I think.
  • She's learned a lot about milk and water.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Feb 24th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some of you will recall the South Plains Water Supply Corporation and the Water Finance.
  • TWC supports a similar approach for water utilities.
  • Kirschbaum and the Texas Association of Water Companies.
  • treated potable water available for future use.
  • However, you know, we're, we're what we're anticipating is using unused water under our water rights
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Agriculture and Rural Affairs convened under the leadership of Chairman Kelly Hancock, who opened the meeting with a prayer in remembrance of Chairman Perry, who was absent due to a personal loss. The session focused on the discussions surrounding SB384, which aims to support the longstanding initiative known as Operation Game Thief. Senator Flores presented the bill, emphasizing its essential role in the fight against poaching through public support. The operation has a successful track record of convictions but is currently dependent on donations and merchandise sales for funding. The committee aimed to vote on multiple bills during this session, contingent on achieving a quorum. Notably, discussions also revolved around fiscal notes on two bills that were set aside for later consideration, indicating the committee's intention to carefully manage their legislative decisions. The meeting showcased a productive atmosphere, with committee members actively engaged in the review and potential advancement of key legislative measures.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-HHS, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-02-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:02:27.599> We the Honolulu Border Water Supply. We the Honolulu Border Water Supply.
  • testing<00:03:17.840> that irregularities of water testing that irregularities of water testing
  • and our water resources.
  • and our water resources.
  • the water eventually goes to the ocean. the water eventually goes to the ocean.
Summary: The joint Senate Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services hearing opened with SB 2093, which would require the fuel tank advisory committee to meet at least quarterly and provide funding. The Department of Health offered written testimony, and multiple supporters, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Sierra Club, and a public member of the advisory committee, said more frequent meetings were needed to keep Red Hill cleanup, water testing, and public engagement front and center. Senators asked about public participation and whether the bill should also require meetings outside business hours; testifiers urged at least one evening or weekend meeting to improve access. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee then heard SB 2095, creating a PFAS working group within the Department of Health to study PFAS and related chemicals and report to the Legislature. DOH supported the concept but requested amendments and funding, while the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred to DOH. The Board of Water Supply supported the measure and asked to be included in the working group. Members asked about the bill’s reference to “other residuals,” and DOH explained it could refer to remaining PFAS components in soil, water, or other media. The discussion emphasized the widespread and long-lasting nature of PFAS contamination. Next, the committee considered SB 2046 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill-related cleanup. DOH and the Board of Water Supply testified, and a long list of community and environmental groups supported the bill. Testifiers argued the Navy caused the problem and should be held accountable for cleanup, while one witness said the bill was necessary because the Navy had delayed meaningful remediation. Senators asked whether the bill’s “large landowner” language could include the state or counties under existing statutes; DOH said it would check and later explained that cleanup responsibility generally falls first on the responsible party, then on large landowners if no responsible party exists, with the Navy currently understood to own Red Hill. The hearing then moved to SB 2096 on wastewater management, which the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported, noting PFAS can harm marine resources, and DOH’s wastewater branch offered comments. SB 2127 on water pollution drew support from Agra Business Development Corporation and opposition from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others. The main debate centered on runoff, NPDES permitting, and whether the bill could unfairly affect agricultural and public entities; senators and witnesses discussed how heavy rainfall, cesspools, and mixed land uses complicate responsibility and compliance. The transcript ends with the committee still in discussion on SB 2127, with no final votes or actions shown in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 3/20/25

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Drawing water from them risks collapsing the water line, cutting off Kennedy's water supply entirely.
  • Our project includes replacing our entire water system, including the water main, adding a water tower
  • For water currently? Yeah, water, sewer currently.
  • Yeah, water, sewer water currently?
  • , water quality, habitat, include water, water quality, habitat, and<00:35:07.680> other<00:35
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EEP Public Hearing - Tue Feb 17, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Energy & Environmental Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • efficient lighting.
  • efficient lighting.
  • <00:24:43.520> will water. So I ask your consideration. will water.
  • our source of drinking water. our source of drinking water.
  • the chief engineers of board of water the chief engineers of board of water supply.<00:26:07.919
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a bill to expand the solar energy tax credit for single-family residential properties by removing certain cap amounts and raising the adjusted gross income limits for taxpayers to elect a refund of excess credits. The Hawaii State Energy Office and Department of Taxation both said they were standing on written testimony, while industry and advocacy groups largely supported the measure. Members questioned whether the income thresholds were set appropriately, how many taxpayers would be affected at different income levels, and how many would qualify for refundable treatment; Taxation said it did not yet have the requested numbers but was preparing a fiscal estimate. A major issue raised was drafting and administration: witnesses said the bill appears to apply differently to owner-purchased systems versus third-party leased systems, and Taxation said it likely could not easily verify household income for leased systems or cross-reference different taxpayers. Discussion also covered whether the credit should remain refundable, whether credits should be limited to amounts actually expended, and whether the bill should instead be structured to keep the credit with the system owner or lessor, with concerns about equity, market effects, and possible incentives to lease rather than buy. The committee then moved to HB 2316, which would align state restrictions on lead materials in drinking water infrastructure with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The Department of Health and other supporters testified in favor, and there were no questions from the chair. Next, HB 1566 on energy efficiency would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting, with the Hawaii State Energy Office providing technical assistance and a compliance survey prioritized for first responder facilities; testimony from state agencies and advocates was in support, and again there were no questions. For HB 1926 on Red Hill, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of Water Supply, and multiple organizations and individuals supported funding for remediation studies, environmental monitoring, groundwater research, independent testing, and a public dashboard, with DLNR emphasizing that decades of work remain necessary even after defueling and that the bill supports ongoing university and community partnerships. The committee then heard HB 1673 on landfill units. The Department of Health initially said it was in support but later corrected the record and stated it strongly opposes the measure, saying the bill would undo protections enacted last session that keep landfills out of areas over aquifers; the Board of Water Supply also opposed repeal of those protections, while the City and County of Honolulu supported the HD1 version that leaves siting decisions to the counties. Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi and the Energy Justice Network opposed the bill, arguing the original protections should remain and that the amended version had confused commenters; supporters of the original version urged restoring it and considering additional language on ash.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, February 17, 2026

Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • water use reductions. water use reductions.
  • water.
  • of each water year to the select water of each water year to the select water committee<00:15:40.399
  • So water districts are water project is.
  • uses shepherd water when released water uses shepherd water when released water uses the<01:14
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 12th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, Texans expect their public water supply systems to provide clean, safe drinking water.
  • drinking water.
  • Generally, Senate Bill 2497 would require a public water system that obtains its water supply from an
  • We are willing to pay for good water. We want good water. There's been two rate increases.
  • So this was the water bill where we’re going after water loss data and just common sense.
Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with no quorum at the start, but later reached quorum and took up several bills. House Bill 2692, codifying the San Antonio River Authority’s enabling legislation and making non-substantive modernization changes, received brief supportive testimony from the River Authority and was left pending before later being voted out favorably. House Bill 685, which would prevent municipalities from charging higher water or sewer rates to tax-exempt entities than comparable customers, also drew support and was reported favorably. House Bill 1318, clarifying compensation issues when a municipality decertifies part of a retail water utility’s service area, was heard without opposition and passed out of committee. House Bill 630, exempting certain older outboard motors from title requirements, likewise passed and was placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 2497, relating to filtration systems for certain public drinking water systems. Senator Zaffirini described the bill as a response to ongoing secondary water quality complaints, while TCEQ testified that such contaminants are aesthetic rather than health-based and that the water remains safe to drink if primary standards are met. The Texas Rural Water Association opposed the bill as written, arguing filtration may not solve most water quality problems and could be costly for small systems, while a consumer witness from Floresville supported it and described repeated rate increases and brown water after a filtration system was removed. Members discussed narrowing the bill through a committee substitute and emphasized the need for flexibility and technical expertise; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Kolkhorst later asking to be recorded as voting no. The committee also heard Senate Bill 2850, which would create a pollinator task force to study habitat loss, public education, and best practices for protecting bees and other pollinators. Senator Menendez and invited witness Erica Thompson of Texas BeeWorks highlighted major colony losses and the economic importance of pollinators to Texas agriculture, and Environment Texas and the Texas Beekeepers Association supported the measure. Members discussed monarch butterflies, native grasses, milkweed, and conservation efforts, and the bill was reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. After testimony, the committee also voted out several pending items, including House Bill 5560 with a committee substitute addressing water-loss penalties and infrastructure improvements, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 10th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • As you know, the water, the Texas water code, any water in a Texas water course, is property of the state
  • acre-feet of water.
  • You have to water more early. Actually, a small tree would take less water.
  • turning it into a new water source for potable drinking water.
  • People have never paid for water, they've paid for infrastructure to deliver water.
Bills: SCR13, SB1248
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 10th, 2025

Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, usually when you impound water, you do a water deal.
  • A small tree would take less water. Less water.
  • This is a water session.
  • new water source for potable drinking water.
  • a new water source for potable drinking water.
Bills: SCR13, SB1248
Summary: The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met without a quorum at first, then later established quorum and proceeded with testimony and votes. Senate Bill 1248, by Chair Perry, was explained as a narrow Open Records Act exception to protect harvest report location data collected through Texas Parks and Wildlife’s digital tagging system. Support testimony came from Matt Wagner of the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society, who said the bill would protect private land and sensitive biological information while preserving useful wildlife data. No one testified against the bill, and it was left pending until later in the meeting. The committee then heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 13, which urges the State Department and the International Boundary and Water Commission to press Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty and deliver its share of Rio Grande water. Senator Hinojosa, farmers, municipal officials, and other witnesses described severe water shortages in South Texas, low reservoir levels, crop losses, the closure of the Valley sugar industry, and the need for alternative supplies such as desalination, reuse, and drainage-runoff projects. Members also discussed treaty enforcement, regional drought, and the role of cartels and Mexican water storage, while emphasizing that Texas must also invest in its own water infrastructure. The committee also considered Senate Bill 740, which the committee substitute amended to require the Public Utility Commission to adopt a standardized application form for system improvement charges and complete related rulemaking by September 1, 2026, applying only to applications filed on or after that date. Members discussed concerns about water wholesalers using the process to delay cases and drive up costs, and the need for more transparency and PUC resources. The committee voted to adopt the substitute and report SB 740 favorably. After returning to the earlier items, the committee voted SB 1248 out favorably and recommended it for the local and uncontested calendar, and voted SCR 13 out favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Fiscal Policy Jan 14th, 2026

Fiscal Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , and leaves critical gaps in oversight, creating risk rather than clarity for Florida's land and waters
  • I want to say, In oversight, creating risk rather than clarity for Florida's land and waters.
  • Next, we'll take up tab two, Senate Bill 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools by Senator
  • And so I think in the long term it makes our school system more efficient.
  • And so I think in the long term, it makes our school system more efficient.
Bills: S0290, S0320
Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met and first took up CS for SB 290, a broad Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment that, among other things, set density requirements for certain small municipalities, delayed biosolids-related changes from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2028, required higher insurance coverage for fumigation businesses, increased fines for fumigation violations, extended the time contractors have to pay subcontractors and suppliers from 15 to 30 business days, preempted certain county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renamed the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about local government preemption, the biosolids timeline, and especially the new felony penalty for nonpayment of subcontractors and suppliers. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids provisions, while several agricultural and industry groups waived in support. The bill was reported favorably after debate, with Senator Bracy Davis voting no and Senator Jones expressing concern about the contractor penalty. The committee then heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements across assessments, personnel, facilities, budgeting, and early learning administration; expand teacher apprenticeship pathways; create longer instructional contracts and renewable professional certificates; simplify testing and evaluation rules; increase flexibility for Title I and discretionary capital funding; and streamline facility planning and architectural requirements. School district and education association representatives waived in support. Senators Osgood and others praised the deregulation and flexibility, while Senator Bracy Davis asked about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education expenditure questions. The sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce administrative burden while preserving accountability. SB 320 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/03/2026 - Senate Natural Resources

Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • They ultimately fall down on the people, the land, the water, the crops, and the insects.
  • years' worth of water in the basin.
  • Furthermore, identifying the total amount of water or years of water in a basin could signify that that
  • years' worth of water in the basin.
  • Furthermore, identifying the total amount of water or years of water in a basin could signify that that
Summary: The Natural Resources Committee approved the minutes from January 20 and January 27, 2026, then heard several bills related to weather modification, water policy, wildlife, cosmetics, and groundwater management. SB 1278 would ban intentional solar radiation management in Arizona and bar public entities or recipients of public funds from supporting related technology development. Supporters argued it was needed to stop harmful geoengineering, while opponents said it would block research and distract from real pollution problems. The committee voted 5-2 with one not voting to give SB 1278 a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered SB 1279, which would regulate weather modification licenses, require ADWR and ADEQ review of chemicals, public notice, and public meetings, and—under a proposed strike-everything amendment—shift complaint enforcement to ADWR and require rulemaking. Testimony was largely in support from stakeholders and SRP, while ADEQ was neutral but warned it lacked standards, resources, and expertise to develop the required chemical limits on the bill’s timeline. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 5-2 with one not voting. Members next passed SB 1005, which would prohibit the sale of cosmetics developed with animal testing, with supporters citing cruelty concerns and industry alternatives; the bill received a do pass recommendation 4-2 with two not voting. SB 1202, requiring ADWR to include more detailed data in five-year groundwater supply-and-demand assessments, drew opposition from ADWR over feasibility, cost, and the risk of misleading conclusions, but still received a do pass recommendation 4-2 with two not voting. The committee also passed SB 1280, which would bar Game and Fish from using public funds to transport Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona; wildlife advocates opposed it as harmful to recovery, while Game and Fish said it would not affect core responsibilities and was neutral. Finally, SB 1287, with a conforming amendment, was approved 5-1 with two not voting to extend certain irrigation grandfathered-right groundwater uses to subsequent active management areas. The committee then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Leg Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then on the third page, you'll see the clean water heritage fund.
  • If you turn to the fourth page, you'll see the clean water fund, and the clean water fund is largely
  • the clean water council revised recommendations.
  • You'll see the clean water... Sorry, line 215.
  • For Lassard-Sams, there's 33% for water.
Bills: HF2563