Transcript Highlights:

• It's not anything against the water board or anybody else.
• All of this is left up to the water board.
• community because of aquifer levels and water quality issues.
• And again, it's all up to the Water Resources Board.
• And then the water ...or the Department of Defense is paying for it, and then the water right is owned

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Research and Conservation Committee met with a quorum and first approved four RS drafts for introduction and printing. The committee then took up RS 33185 C1, a proposal related to the Snake River-to-Mountain Home Air Force Base water pipeline and whether the state should seek user or rental payments from foreign military users of the base, particularly in light of planned expansion and training by wealthy foreign countries. The sponsor argued the state had already invested substantial general fund and ARPA money in the project and that the Water Resources Board should renegotiate to recover some costs; opponents said the pipeline and water right were negotiated in good faith to keep the base viable and that the issue of foreign training had been known for years. Members raised questions about the original funding, the role of the federal government, and whether other utilities or infrastructure should also be considered. Several members spoke against the proposal, saying it would undermine prior agreements and could jeopardize the base’s long-term value and Idaho’s credibility in negotiations. A substitute motion to introduce RS 33185 C1 failed on a voice vote, and the committee then adopted the main motion to return the RS to the sponsor. The meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• in water reuse and recycle.
• 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.
• So we work to save water, we work to save energy.
• is important for Arizona as we stretch the water.

Bills: SB1041

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TO BILL EVERYBODY, WHEN YOU PAY A WATER BILL AT THE MAINTENANCE IS A PART OF THE WATER BILL.
• OF COURSE WE DELIVER THE WATER.
• WE DELIVER THE WATER.
• MIAMI-DADE THE WATER PLANT.
• THAT 10 PERCENT LATE CHARGE ON THE WATER BILL IS FOR WATER UTILITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Lo, manager for the board of water Lo, manager for the board of water supply.<00:19:40.400><c> We
• water Red Hill Water coordinator for the water Red Hill Water Alliance<00:20:26.160><c> Initiative</c
• The Water Code was passed in 1987.
• The Water Code was passed in 1987.
• </c> successors and interests to share water. successors and interests to share water.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures. SB 2723, which would designate April 27 as State Sheriff’s Day, was supported by the Department of Law Enforcement and a long-serving sheriff, who described the historical roots of Hawaii’s sheriffs in the Kingdom of Hawaii and said the bill would recognize that legacy. HGA submitted written comments, and there was no opposition or vote taken on the measure during the excerpt. The committees then heard SB 17 on wildfire mitigation. The Public Utilities Commission, DLNR, the State Fire Council, OPSD, the Attorney General’s office, and Kamehameha Schools all testified, mostly in support of the bill’s intent but with suggested amendments. Several witnesses said the bill should better define the working group’s structure, staffing, and funding, and the Attorney General noted constitutional concerns about placing the group outside a principal department and pointed out possible overlap with Acts 302 and 303 from the prior year. Committee members questioned whether SB 17 duplicated earlier wildfire legislation, and witnesses generally said it did not directly conflict but overlapped with existing efforts. On SB 2358, which would require reimbursement for search-and-rescue costs when people leave trails and enter closed areas, the State Fire Council and the Hawaii SAR Alliance testified in opposition or caution, arguing that reimbursement could deter people from calling for help and that Hawaii’s SAR system still has structural and administrative gaps. A committee member asked whether other jurisdictions had used similar measures without discouraging rescues; the Fire Council said Kauai has a similar law but it has not resulted in invoices being sent. No action was taken in the excerpt. The final measure discussed was SB 2475 on Red Hill remediation funding and reimbursement from the Department of Defense. The Board of Water Supply, DLNR, and other testifiers supported the bill, emphasizing the need for long-term research, monitoring, and cleanup, while also noting the unique groundwater conditions and the importance of keeping the funds focused on Red Hill contamination response. Committee members asked about existing federal and state funding, whether the state had received any direct federal money, and what would happen if reimbursement is not obtained. DLNR said it was still working through the reimbursement mechanism and that some federal funding had gone to the Red Hill registry, but not directly to the state for this purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• Office of Water Policy.
• This section oversees Everglades restoration and statewide water policy in partnership with the water
• This section oversees Everglades restoration and statewide water policy in partnership with the water
• This section oversees Everglades restoration and statewide water policy in partnership with the water
• In the area of water quality, In the area of water quality, alongside these long-term restoration efforts

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met to organize for the session, confirm a quorum, and hear introductory remarks from members about their districts and interests. Chair Esposito outlined the committee’s jurisdiction and budget overview, noting a total budget of about $7.2 billion, with major funding tied to the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Citrus. She also described major cost drivers such as Everglades restoration, water quality, resiliency, land acquisition, and rural family lands, and asked members to review agency requests in small groups later in the process. Agency leaders then presented budget and program updates. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson emphasized department efficiency efforts, including IT modernization, staff reorganization, rural and family lands conservation, best management practices, Fresh From Florida marketing, hurricane recovery loans for farmers, and completion of the Connor Complex headquarters. DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert highlighted record investments in Everglades restoration, water quality projects, resilience grants, land acquisition, state parks, and enforcement. FWC Executive Director Roger Young discussed conservation research, fisheries and wildlife management, law enforcement, disaster response, and pressures from growth, boating, invasive species, and derelict vessels. Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shep reviewed the industry’s decline due to hurricanes and citrus greening, current research and marketing efforts, and e-commerce campaigns to support Florida citrus sales. Members asked questions about citrus production declines, future replanting and therapies, rural family lands, PFOS cleanup, mangrove restoration, flooding and pump infrastructure, agricultural theft, and derelict vessel removal. Officials generally responded with updates, emphasized science-based management and enforcement, and in several cases said they would follow up with more detailed information later. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair directing members to provide feedback on agencies for further budget review and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• a driver and a skier, on all their public water.
• that water is supplied by an existing water district that can contract with them to provide the water
• from other water districts, uses roughly 100,000 gallons of water If they could not get water from other
• water districts, it uses roughly 100,000 gallons of water per year.
• Representative Raybould, on a closed-loop system, is the water re-injected, or what happens to the water

Summary: The committee met without the chairman, with Senator Phil Hart presiding as vice chair, and considered four measures. House Bill 887, by Representative Mark Sauter, would allow water skiing with a driver and skier on open water rather than limiting it to a slalom course, while still requiring a mirror and a 9 a.m. cutoff. Sauter said the bill would align Idaho with several other states and help reduce congestion on the water. The committee took no public testimony and sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation on a voice vote. House Bill 895, by Representative Britt Raybould, would restrict new data centers beginning construction after July 1, 2026 from using water for cooling as a consumptive use unless supplied by an existing water district under contract. Raybould described the bill as a response to growing water and energy concerns, explaining the difference between evaporative, hybrid, and closed-loop cooling systems and noting the large water use of some facilities. The Idaho Conservation League testified in support, saying the bill was a proactive step to protect water resources. The committee advanced the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 939, by Representative James Petsky, codifies Fish and Game’s proposed hunting technology rules on thermal night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding exemptions for hunting wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife, agriculture uses, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring property or traps. Petsky said the measure was a compromise supported by agriculture groups, Idaho sportsmen, and Idaho Wildlife Federation, though he acknowledged possible enforcement challenges and future revisions. Fish and Game and the Idaho Conservation League both testified, with the latter supporting the process but warning about enforceability and the need for continued consensus-building. The committee sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee also considered House Joint Memorial 21, which urges action to support reopening a past-producing tungsten mine on private land near Patterson, Idaho, citing the mineral’s importance to national defense and concerns about foreign supply, especially from China. The sponsor said the mine is the only tungsten mine in the United States and that permitting is underway. After brief discussion, the committee approved the memorial and sent it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• a driver and a skier, on all their public water.
• that water is supplied by an existing water district who can contract with them to provide the water
• from other water districts, uses roughly 100,000 gallons of water... ...could not get water from other
• water districts uses roughly 100,000 gallons of water per year.
• the water as it exits the facility?

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee began without the chairman present and heard four measures. House Bill 887, by Representative Sauter, would allow a skier and driver to water ski on open water in Idaho, rather than only on a slalom course, while keeping existing safety requirements and limiting the activity to before 9 a.m.; it was moved and sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 895, by Representative Raybold, would restrict new data centers beginning construction after July 1, 2026 from using consumptive water cooling unless supplied by an existing water district, encouraging closed-loop systems; after questions about water use and system types, it received support from the Idaho Conservation League and was also sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 939, by Representative Petsky, would codify Fish and Game’s proposed restrictions on thermal night vision, transmitting trail cameras, and drone aircraft for hunting, while adding exemptions for hunting wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife, agricultural uses, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring property and traps. Testimony was mixed: Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Conservation League both supported the bill, though ICL raised concerns about the process and enforcement, and committee members discussed possible future fixes. The bill passed the committee on a due pass motion, with one senator noting lingering concerns about private-versus-public property treatment of cameras. The committee also considered House Joint Memorial 21, which urged quick action to reopen a past-producing tungsten mine near Patterson, Idaho, citing the mineral’s importance to national defense and dependence on foreign supply. The sponsor said the mine is on private land and is the only tungsten mine in the United States; after brief discussion, the memorial was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee then adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• For water quality standards, DOH determines non-enforceable drinking water health advisory levels for
• They are very highly mobile in water.
• levels of PFAS, if you take them out of water with PFAS and put them in clean water, it leaves their
• water system, but also in the ecosystem side of DEP.
• the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Summary: The committee first received a Department of Environmental Protection presentation on Florida Forever and the sale or exchange of conservation lands. DEP described Florida Forever as the state’s main conservation land acquisition program, funded in recent years at high levels, and said most acquisitions since 2019 have been within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation also explained the legal process for disposing of conservation lands: requests are reviewed by the Acquisitions and Restoration Council, then the governor and cabinet decide whether land is no longer needed for conservation or whether an exchange provides a net conservation benefit. Senator Smith asked several questions about recent land-swap proposals, public notice, political influence, and whether any transactions had bypassed the usual sequence; DEP said applications can be withdrawn before ARC review, notice is posted seven days in advance, and the council and cabinet are the decision-makers. Senator Harrington asked about the difference between Florida Forever land sales and water management district surplus lands, and DEP said the reported 2.3 acres sold referred only to Florida Forever-funded projects. The committee then heard presentations from the Department of Health and DEP on PFAS and PFOA. DOH outlined what PFAS are, their common uses, possible health impacts, and ways Floridians can reduce exposure, including water filtration and avoiding certain products. DOH said it conducts well investigations, health consultations, fish consumption advisories, and monitoring in coordination with DEP and FWC. DEP followed with a more technical overview of PFAS regulation and cleanup, explaining federal testing and drinking-water standards, Florida’s provisional cleanup levels, and the state’s response at contaminated sites, including bottled water and filtration for affected residents. Senators asked about testing requirements for public systems and private wells, disposal of used filters, and how federal rulemaking and litigation could affect Florida’s standards; DEP said public systems are required to test under EPA monitoring rules, private wells are not directly required to test, and Florida may adopt its own standards if federal action does not occur by the statutory deadline. Finally, the committee took up SB 150, which would designate the flamingo as the state bird and the scrub jay as the state songbird. The sponsor argued the bill better reflects Florida’s identity and conservation values, noting the flamingo’s iconic status and the scrub jay’s status as a Florida-only species. Members asked lighthearted questions about mockingbirds, flamingo color, and feeding costs, and an appearance card was filed in support by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The committee debated the bill briefly and then passed SB 150 favorably by roll call vote, with all members present voting yes except Senator DiCeglie, who was excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• water body in Idaho where we had fish harvest down 70%.
• And you have navigated these waters with us quite a bit.
• And so we test on the water ourselves for copper.
• It's that deep-water area. And so most of the river isn't impacted by deep water.
• for the Water Resources Board.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received an Idaho State Department of Agriculture update on quagga mussels from Director Chanel T. Wall. She reviewed the history of Idaho’s response since the first western U.S. detection in 2007 and the legislature’s ongoing funding and policy support since 2008. Wall described the ecological and economic risks posed by quagga mussels, including major impacts seen in the Great Lakes, and said Idaho’s 2025 treatment in the mid-Snake River reduced the infested footprint by about 51% compared with 2024. She explained the chelated copper treatment approach, the challenge of treating deep pools and maintaining copper concentration at depth, the use of divers and underwater manifolds, and the addition of in-state lab testing and expanded sampling and inspection capacity. Committee members asked about the treatment method, the mussels’ reproduction, impacts on fish and irrigation, whether other states are using Idaho’s methods, and whether the species could ever burn itself out; Wall said Idaho remains focused on eradication and that the state’s approach is being watched closely by other western states. The committee then heard budget presentations from Legislative Services staff on natural resources appropriations. Janet Jessup reviewed the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee’s recent actions, including a 3% rescission, an additional 1% rescission for fiscal year 2026, reverting unallocated CEC, and a 5% ongoing base reduction for fiscal year 2027. She walked through the major natural resources budgets, including DEQ, Fish and Game, Lands, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and the Endowment Fund Investment Board, noting which agencies rely on general funds versus dedicated or federal funds and highlighting several enhancement requests, especially for fire suppression, remediation, fisheries, and park staffing. She also explained Idaho’s fire suppression deficiency fund and said it can run negative and is typically preloaded by the legislature. Keith Bybee followed with a broader general fund and revenue outlook. He said the state’s cash position is tighter than last year, with lower unobligated cash and a downward revision in revenue forecasts, though the legislature’s adopted forecast is somewhat higher than the governor’s. He noted that JFAC’s additional 1% rescission modestly improved the projected ending balance, but that the budget remains tight because major programs such as schools, Medicaid, and corrections are largely exempt from cuts. Bybee also discussed the projected 2027 ending balance under the governor’s plan versus the legislature’s forecast and emphasized that future budget decisions will depend on uncertain factors such as fire costs, Medicaid enrollment, and population growth. The meeting ended after brief comments from Senator Groh and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water District, in support.
• Municipal Water District, and Santa Margarita Water District, in support.
• , Eastern Municipal Water District, and Santa Margarita Water District, in support.
• Water District, Yuba Water Agency, and TreePeople, in support.
• Water District, Yuba Water Agency, and TreePeople, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on wildfire resilience, recycling, forest management, and organic waste diversion. AB 442 would remove a requirement that a harvest area be limited to a single watershed for working forest management plans; the author and supporters from the California Forestry Association and Pacific Forest Trust said it would reduce barriers to forest resiliency work, and there was no opposition. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the use of CEQA and Coastal Act suspensions for wildfire and fuel-management projects after the governor’s emergency proclamation; the author said the bill would provide data on how well the suspensions are working, and it drew support with no opposition. AB 35 would exempt Proposition 4-funded programs from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed implementation of climate, water, wildfire, and environmental projects; the author and a large coalition of local governments, water agencies, conservation groups, and fire organizations argued the exemption would help get funds out faster, while no opposition was present. The committee also discussed AB 3333, which would create a market-development payment to support end users of non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan used in cement, in order to divert glass from landfills and reduce carbon emissions. Supporters said the bill would create a productive use for hard-to-recover glass, while opponents from the Glass Packaging Institute, Californians Against Waste, and waste management interests argued it would divert beverage container recycling funds away from the bottle-to-bottle system and could undermine existing recycling investments and recycled-content goals. Members raised questions about the fund’s revenue sources, the purpose of the beverage container recycling program, and whether the bill would amount to “downcycling”; despite those concerns, the bill advanced on a due-pass-as-amended recommendation, with members noting fiscal and policy issues for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic material used as a beneficial agricultural amendment, including CDFA-licensed fertilizer products made from biosolids, to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater agencies and Clean Water SoCal said the change would expand options for meeting procurement requirements and help move biosolids out of landfills, while Californians Against Waste and other opponents argued the bill could expand procurement credit beyond SB 1383’s original intent and weaken investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members questioned what kinds of biosolids would qualify, how the procurement credit would work, and whether the bill could be narrowed to historically landfilled materials; the author said she would continue working with opponents and wait for CalRecycle technical assistance. The committee adopted the bills’ amendments and passed AB 35 with urgency, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 to Appropriations, and also approved consent-calendar AB 946. After roll calls, all of the measures were reported out of committee, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• water levels and flood risk.
• So water will hit and run off. Is there not as much ground for absorption of water?
• You get water that starts backing up. It doesn't let that water flow.
• This is not a dam that impairs water quality. water permanently.
• Swift Water Rescue on the 4th.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> million per year to provide water million per year to provide water treatment<00:01:21.400><c> systems
• </c> health response this bill targets water health response this bill targets water treatment<00:01:
• Municipal water systems must test for a range of contaminants and ensure that water does not exceed safe
• </c><00:04:49.479><c> for</c> invest in Clean safe drinking water for invest in Clean safe drinking water
• </c><00:04:53.919><c> is</c> accessing safe drinking water is accessing safe drinking water is essential

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• water supply and potable waterable water supply and wastewater<00:36:28.240><c> system</c><00:36:28.560
• I am just going to use the term water to mean potable water.
• I am just going to use the term water to mean potable water.
• I am just going to use the term water to mean potable water.
• I am just going to use the term water to mean potable water.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> are honestly focused on drinking water. are honestly focused on drinking water.
• Is it the end use or the water faucet not coming into the water treatment plant?
• Water Committee.
• </c><00:58:46.559><c> act</c> water act programs and clean water act water act programs and clean water
• . storm water.

Bills: SF0101

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearm regulation, state legislation, public safety, civil penalties, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water District, in support.
• , Eastern Municipal Water District, and Santa Margarita Water District, in support.
• Beth Olasso, on behalf of the Water Blueprint for the San Joaquin Valley Advocacy Fund and Water Reuse
• Good afternoon, Kelsey Hinden with Community Water Center, Clean Water Action, Leadership Council for
• Water District, Yuba Water Agency, and TreePeople, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And no water to put those spot fires out. It does not take very much water to put a spot fire out.
• Water agencies already take steps to plan and prepare. water deliveries are safe and reliable.
• Due to this cost and consideration of water affordability, water agencies utilize mutual aid agreements
• Every water supplier is different. Every water supplier's situation is different.
• Did the water system operate like it should?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, $66 for their water treatment plant. And I'm showing it.
• So $94 million, the water treatment plant was roughly $94 million.
• Same with rural water, $55 million.
• Water Committee section.
• It would state that any new water project request anticipated to be submitted to the Water Commission

Bills: SB2004, HB1600

Keywords: ethics commission, immunity, conflict of interest, complaints, public officials, transparency, legislative action, criminal prosecution, complaint resolution, HB 1600, immigration law clinic, University of North Dakota, UND Law, law school clinic, legal aid, immigration attorney, student clinic, pro bono, immigration legal services, caseload limit

Summary: The committee reconvened to continue work on water-related appropriations and related bills, with the chair emphasizing the need to move the water bill to conference committee soon because of differences with the House. Members reviewed project funding levels and carryover balances across several water projects, including NAWS, Southwest, Valley City, Cirrus River flood control, Hart River, Redder water supply, municipal and rural water, general water, and discretionary funding. The discussion focused on reduced revenue forecasts, the use of a $150 million line of credit as a working assumption, and concerns about large carryover amounts and piling up cash. No final changes were made to the water funding numbers, but the chair said the committee would revisit the bill after further cleanup of the draft language. The committee then took up House Bill 1600, which would create an immigration law clinic at the University of North Dakota law school. Members agreed the program should be treated as a one-time pilot rather than ongoing general fund spending, so they adopted an amendment changing the $400,000 appropriation to one-time funding from the strategic investment fund. The amended bill passed unanimously, and Senator Meyer was assigned to carry it. House Bill 1417, dealing with parole and probation-related policy, was also amended. The committee removed Section 8, which eliminated the bill’s appropriations language, based on testimony that the referenced funding was already included elsewhere in the budget. The amended bill then passed unanimously. The committee also discussed possible future amendments to water study language, including earlier reporting deadlines and a proposal to require larger new water project requests to go through the Water Topics Overview Committee before being introduced, but no final action was taken on those concepts. Several other bills, including the AI-related House Bill 1448 and law enforcement bonus bill 1193, were left for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a point of background, I’ve worked on water supply, water quality, and coastal issues for over 35
• , including better stormwater capture and use to reduce potable water demand to offset decreased water
• , including better stormwater capture and use to reduce potable water demand to offset decreased water
• , including better stormwater capture and use to reduce potable water demand to offset decreased water
• And so having a way to use this water to do so safely And so having a way to use this water to do so

Summary: The Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee met to adopt its rules, establish quorum, and approve a consent calendar of five bills, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee then heard three measures: AB 638 by Assembly Member Rodriguez on stormwater capture for irrigation of urban public lands; AB 60 by Assembly Member Papin on banning synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products; and AB 916 by Assembly Member Lee on restricting certain antibacterial soap ingredients in consumer hand soaps and body washes. AB 638 was presented as a climate and water-supply measure directing the State Water Resources Control Board to develop guidelines for capturing and safely reusing stormwater for irrigation. Supporters, including NRDC and several environmental groups, argued it would reduce potable water use and help move stalled projects forward. The bill drew no opposition and received strong support from committee members, including requests to coauthor. It passed the committee on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 60 would ban synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products due to health and environmental concerns. Supporters cited endocrine disruption, reproductive harms, persistence in waterways, and international restrictions. The bill passed on a due pass motion to the floor, with one member not voting. AB 916 generated the most debate: supporters said the three targeted antimicrobials offer no added benefit over plain soap, may contribute to health harms and antibiotic resistance, and should be banned in consumer products while exempting health care settings. Opponents argued the ingredients are already under FDA and DTSC review, raised preemption concerns, and warned of costs and impacts on food handling and other uses. After extensive discussion, the committee approved AB 916 on a due pass motion to the Committee on Health, with several no votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is Senate Bill 1422 on surface waters by Senator Garcia.
• Management District staff discussing exportation of potable water from the Water Management District
• Very clearly, they did not have the water then. Amen.
• Water, into their stormwater, into their industrial water, and then treating that in some waste pond
• We are the water. We are your fresh water. We are their fresh water.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met and first took up CS/SB 1422, as amended, which focused on coral reef protection and surface waters. The strike-all amendment redesignated coral reefs as critical natural infrastructure, emphasized their role in disaster mitigation and climate resilience, and was described as helping streamline permitting and access to federal restoration funding. Audubon Florida waived in support, and the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered SPB 7034, a rule ratification related to DEP’s minimum flows and levels recovery strategy for the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs. Senators questioned the rule’s effects on consumptive use, funding, and whether utilities or taxpayers would bear costs. Several speakers from the Florida Springs Council and local river advocates opposed the rule, arguing it delays restoration and relies too heavily on a single long-term wastewater reuse project, while DEP and utility representatives supported it. The committee approved the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. Next, the committee heard CS/SB 1510, which made changes to DEP-related programs including springs basin management action plans, septic system requirements, resilience cost-share eligibility, permitting procedures, and land acquisition governance. A late-filed strike-all removed biosolids provisions and other items, and the main public concern centered on a 60-day delay before B-MAP changes take effect, which opponents said could delay springs restoration and allow conventional septic systems to be installed before new restrictions apply. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1196, which restricts new ash-producing incinerators and waste-to-energy facilities within two miles of certain federally authorized water impoundment areas, after debate over impacts on local waste disposal options and environmental protections; and CS/SB 912, the Safe Battery Collection and Recovery Act, which creates a producer stewardship framework for battery collection and recycling, with support from industry and recycling groups citing battery fires and growing waste-stream concerns. Finally, the committee recommended confirmation of Gary Jennings to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:57.600><c> management</c> uh increase from the water management uh increase from the water
• </c> um increasing the land and water um increasing the land and water conservation<00:16:43.040><c>
• Our water is too important not to. Our water resources are limited.
• Our water is too important not to. Our water resources are limited.
• pollution or water because of water pollution or water depletion<01:49:00.880><c> from</c><01:49:01.199

Keywords: 1187, senate, all