Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we'll get started with the Water Group.
• So we're looking at the water spreadsheet that looks suspiciously like the water. At it.
• given you, but it says workgroup water on it.
• I didn't until about a month ago, but they do a lot of good work around water law, water research.
• Jonas Armstrong, Water Protection Division Director.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These include drinking water, energy, levees, solid waste, transit, and wastewater.
• Each water connection in the state loses about 30 gallons of treated water per day to aging and leaking
• a lot of water for these fabs, uh, and manufacturing facilities.
• Um, You just mentioned water is the biggest issue.
• If our raw water sources decline in quality, Then we need to pump more money into water infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• water and produced water, we'll see more need for water operators in that area, but I want to talk about
• water utility operators.
• and waste water utility operators, and other parts and other sectors like produced water, brackish water
• The same yield can be reached with less water using drip or efficient irrigation that delivers water
• We're really not using all the water. We are growing the food that needs the water.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:02.040><c> flood</c> a lot of drainage issues water flood a lot of drainage issues water flood
• This would be where you’d find DNR’s water use permitting, their public waters work permits, and the
• public waters inventory.
• </c><00:14:59.079><c> um</c> this is where a lot of the water um this is where a lot of the water um
• </c> and water conservation fund the Water and water conservation fund the Water Management<00:28:58.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So all the blue dots are where we're pulling water samples.
• And you have navigated these waters with us quite a bit.
• And so we test on the water ourselves for copper.
• The remaining in that 30-foot water column is the challenge.
• for the Water Resources Board.

Summary: The committee first received an Idaho State Department of Agriculture update on quagga mussels, with Director Chanel T. Wall reviewing the history of Idaho’s response, the spread and ecological damage caused by mussels in the Great Lakes, and the state’s legislative and operational efforts since the species was first detected west of the 100th meridian in 2007. She described the 2024 and 2025 Mid-Snake treatment efforts using chelated copper, noting a more than 50% reduction in the impacted footprint in 2025 compared with 2024, while emphasizing that the goal remains eradication. Members asked about the treatment method, the difficulty of keeping copper in the deep-pool water column, fish mortality, the reproductive capacity of mussels, and whether other states are using Idaho’s approach; Wall said Idaho’s work is being watched closely, but few states have shown the political will to attempt similar eradication efforts. No votes were taken during this presentation. The committee then heard a budget overview for natural resources from Legislative Services budget analyst Janet Jessup. She summarized the agencies under the natural resources budget area, explained JFAC’s recent actions on a 3% rescission, an additional 1% rescission, and a 5% ongoing base reduction for fiscal year 2027, and noted that many agency enhancements remain pending. She highlighted that DEQ’s requested enhancements are tied to dedicated and federal funds, Fish and Game’s budget is entirely dedicated/federal, Lands has a fire suppression deficiency fund that can be drawn into the negative and later repaid by the legislature, and Water Resources has a recurring transfer request. Members asked about the fire deficiency fund’s limits and how it is funded, and Jessup explained that it is typically preloaded by legislative appropriation. Finally, Keith Bybee of Legislative Services gave a broader general fund and revenue outlook. He said the legislature’s adopted revenue forecast is higher than the governor’s, but the budget remains tight because of lower-than-expected cash balances and the effect of policy changes and rescissions. He noted that the current-year ending balance is small relative to the size of the budget, while the projected fiscal year 2027 ending balance improves under the legislature’s forecast. Committee members discussed uncertainty around future fire suppression costs, Medicaid, corrections, and school enrollment, and the meeting concluded with no further action beyond the informational presentations and prior JFAC budget decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• does not relate to water purification—no medicines in the water.
• This is not medicine being put into the water system.
• Calgary is now putting fluoride back into its water.
• Senator Polsky, in questions: How do we know that the water purification—first of all, what are the water
• How many people get water from a different source?

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• That cabin was completely filled with water. Look In was completely filled with water.
• Hang Out's water line is not as high. Hang Out. The water line is not as high on Hang Out.
• You look at the water line. You look at the water line. Significant, the water line is there.
• water.
• Water sheet off of the hill.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The warm-water component is key.
• It's simply not a viable water supply.
• JOHNS RIVER WATER&nbsp;&nbsp; 172 They talk about the reservoir being a water supply source, but documents
• It's simply not a viable water supply.
• It would provide more water.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• off of the water.
• Of water and wastewater into the future. You also heard about the Water and Wastewater Alliance.
• to become water operators.
• We all know that we all hang out at the same watering holes because water is limited.
• But it's water intensive. Okay. It's super water intensive.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really low water or otherwise.
• We have thousands of low bridge water crossings, and if every time one of those has water going over
• The water that we save will be less expensive than any new water that we try to produce in this state
• to meeting our water needs.
• Gregory. 28,000 low-water crossings. 25,000 low-water bridges—that's a lot.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> water right should have been water water right should have been water rights<03:01:54.160><c> should
• issue of water rights beforehand. water rights or whether you let the water rights or whether you let
• </c> of the water rights. of the water rights.
• lose our water.
• That water right then that water right. That water right then goes<03:23:07.120><c> away.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, to serve our state, people that are interested in clean water issues.
• They have a general interest in water pollution. in water contaminants; that doesn't necessarily mean
• They have a general interest in water pollution.
• And then the Clean Water Commission votes on those regulations.
• And then the Clean Water Commission votes on those regulations.

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met in executive session and took up three bills before moving to a public hearing on House Bill 1885. On House Bill 2297, Representative Hayden’s fencing/enclosure bill, the committee adopted a House Committee substitute after discussion about terminology changes, including whether to use “property boundary line” versus “division line,” and about liability language for injuries during fence construction. The substitute was then reported do pass by a vote of 18 ayes and 3 noes. The committee next approved House Bill 2436, Representative Van Skoik’s animal impoundment bill, by a vote of 14 ayes and 7 noes. It then considered House Bill 2713, where the committee adopted a substitute and an amendment restoring a five-year sunset, after discussion that the bill related to a tax credit and industry concerns about removing the sunset. The final committee vote on the House Committee substitute for HB 2713 was 17 ayes and 4 noes, and it was reported do pass. In public hearing, Representative Van Skoik presented House Bill 1885, which would change the makeup of the Clean Water Commission by allowing at least one member knowledgeable about publicly owned wastewater treatment works, removing a two-year waiting period for certain industry members, and directing the commission to set recusal rules for conflicts of interest. Supporters from the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District and municipal utilities said the bill would help ensure knowledgeable, current wastewater professionals can serve and address a shortage of experienced people in the field. Questions focused on whether the commission should set its own conflict rules and whether members could still have income from permit holders; the sponsor and witnesses said recusal rules would address conflicts and that the bill was intended to improve expertise on the commission. No opposition testimony was heard before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:27:20.720><c> how</c> the placement of water, how the placement of water, how runoff<00:27:22.120
• :23.360><c> if</c><00:27:23.560><c> they</c> runoff water would be treated, if they runoff water would
• Does anything to do with storm water.
• </c><00:40:21.040><c> That's</c> planning those storm waters? That's planning those storm waters?
• </c> uh hard surfaces, um a lot of water uh hard surfaces, um a lot of water runoff,<00:40:57.120><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> those jurisdictional waters. those jurisdictional waters.
• </c> water quality occurs. water quality occurs.
• </c> our work is at addressing water our work is at addressing water pollution.<01:04:36.800><c> Water
• </c> they get their water from that stream. they get their water from that stream.
• </c> of habitat and and our ground water. of habitat and and our ground water.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28 Introduction of Guests 00:02:08 American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31 SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55 SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky. Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky. Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is the commissioner who possesses substantial experience and expertise in traditional Hawaiian water
• She is the commissioner who possesses substantial experience and expertise in traditional Hawaiian water
• resource traditional Hawaiian water resource management<00:05:10.560><c> techniques</c><00:05:11.360
• </c> waters of Havaii land, Havaii Island. waters of Havaii land, Havaii Island.
• systems, and teaching the next generation about water tech.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providers, that they can recover their stored water within one mile of the location where the water
• They can recover their stored water within one mile of the location where the water was stored, or, in
• quantifies the area of impact, a sort of water mound that occurs when water is poured back into the
• Pumping as stored water recovery.
• Chairman, Senator, that is wet water.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 3 and February 10, 2026, then heard two nominations. Jessica Manuel was introduced as a nominee to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. She described a science-focused background and experience with state and multi-agency work, and members discussed wildlife management, including gray wolves and conservation. The committee voted 8-0 to recommend her confirmation. Stephen Williams was then introduced as a nominee to the Arizona Livestock Loss Board. He emphasized his experience with the State Land Department and livestock operators, and members asked about compensation claims and wolf-related livestock losses. The committee voted unanimously to recommend his confirmation as well. The committee next considered SB 1785, which would codify ADWR’s existing one-mile safe-harbor policy for recovery wells near groundwater storage facilities. Supporters said it would provide certainty and preserve current practice, while ADWR requested clarifying language about the bill’s definitions. Opponents argued it would lock current policy into statute and could reduce flexibility. The bill received a 5-3 do-pass recommendation. SB 1082, which would impose sanitation and handwashing requirements on petting zoos and similar animal encounter exhibits, drew emotional testimony from a parent advocate describing children hospitalized with STEC HUS after a state fair petting zoo exposure, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and overly burdensome. The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment but then deadlocked 4-4, so the bill failed. The committee then took up SB 1336, a continuation and reform bill for the Arizona State Land Department that also created a temporary oversight committee and, through a large amendment, added lease, notice, and committee-structure changes. Supporters from mining and agriculture backed the measure as a way to improve predictability and transparency, while some members objected to the amendment’s scope and the committee’s composition. The amendment passed 4-3 and the bill as amended was recommended 6-2. SB 1200, an emergency measure directing ADWR to revisit certain Phoenix AMA assured water supply applications using older groundwater models, was supported by the sponsor but opposed by CAP/GRD and ADWR, who warned it would add replenishment obligations and rely on outdated models; it passed 5-3. SB 1335, requiring the Arizona Water Banking Authority Commission to post its annual report online, passed 7-0-1. SB 1559, creating rural groundwater management work groups in each basin with NRCD involvement and annual reporting to ADWR, drew support from conservation district representatives and opposition from Mohave County interests concerned it would not address overpumping; it passed 5-3. Finally, SB 1761, appropriating $47.7 million to the University of Arizona for its desert agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and experiment station programs, was presented as a land-grant mission funding measure and received broad support from agriculture and several members, with some concerns about budget priorities and the size of the appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:21.040><c> is</c> already out there in all water is already out there in all water is handled
• It would supplement the water out there in Ewa.
• </c> one it's for large scale water one it's for large scale water consumption<00:12:51.399><c> so</c
• Thank you very much. there's not the land or water available there's not the land or water available
• </c> desalination for large scale water desalination for large scale water consumption<00:27:05.000><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Water and Land met on March 21, 2025, and considered several resolutions related to water resources, coastal management, and energy planning. On SCR 42/SR 27, which urged DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine ponds, DLNR supported the measure and suggested a technical correction changing a reference from the Division of Agriculture to the Division of Aquatic Resources. Testimony from Hā‘ena Reef and Ocean Coalition, Maui Ocean Center, and individuals was in support. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. The committee also heard SCR 54/SR 36, which would create a desalination planning task force to study whether large-scale desalination for potable water is feasible. DLNR and CWRM said the proposal was a large undertaking and raised capacity concerns, noting the Board of Water Supply was already moving forward with its own desalination planning. BWS testified in support, saying its project was still in planning and design, with construction not expected until late 2027 or 2028, and that the project would produce about 1.7 million gallons per day to supplement Ewa’s water supply. Members discussed whether the task force might duplicate existing work and noted the measure focused on consumption rather than other desalination uses. The committee ultimately recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. For SCR 59/SR 43, which asked DLNR, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission to work together on maintaining the Kihei ramp, DLNR reported ongoing collaboration and listed prior improvements including paving, washdown work, dredging, and a retaining wall. The committee recommended passage with technical and non-substantive amendments. On SCR 106/SR 87, which requested a study of which energy sector could be most quickly and cost-effectively decarbonized through public investment in combustion-free alternatives, OPSD said the State Energy Office had already completed a decarbonization study under Act 238 (2022) and a follow-up alternative fuels analysis, and suggested the resolution duplicated existing work. Energy Justice Network testified in support, arguing the proposal would build on prior studies by focusing on non-combustion options such as wind, solar, and storage. Despite support from several organizations and individuals, the committee deferred the measure indefinitely. The committee also passed SR 18 as is, passed SC 51/SR 33 as is, deferred SC 47, and passed SC 76/SR 59 with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts represents 216 soil and water conservation
• Obviously we got issues with water.
• So if you want some water supply storage, then you have to impound more water, that means the dam needs
• water supply for a local city or local community.
• in, in, in cities and how we transfer water that way.

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans, Natural Resources, Energy and Water. HB 2262. Energy and Water. HB 2266.
• Natural Resources, Energy and Water. HB 2268. Natural Resources, Energy and Water. HB 2270.
• Natural Resources, Energy and Water. HB 2330. Energy and Water. HB 2331.
• Water. Ways and Means. HB 2519. Appropriation. Water.
• HB 2720, traditionally after resource energy and water. HB 2723, big ground water.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session. Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you don't have water, you're not going to get very far.
• dependent on alternate water sources.
• , and access issues, cisterns offer a year-round water supply.
• The town of West Hampton has no municipal water supply and relies solely on a mobile water supply for
• You mentioned communities with no municipal water supply.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on late-filed matters, chaired by Senator Paul Feeney and Representative Jamie Murphy. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2738 on rising insurance costs for manufactured home residents, S. 2739 on creating a fire cistern program, and S. 2732 on direct primary care. Members were reminded to keep testimony brief, and several legislators and local officials testified out of turn as they arrived. The hearing ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously. On S. 2738, Senator Kelly Dooner, Representative Lisa Field, Taunton Mayor Sean O’Connell, Taunton City Council President Barry Sanders, and several residents and local officials described sharp premium increases, limited carrier options, and confusion over coverage for manufactured home communities. Testifiers said many residents are seniors, veterans, or low-income households on fixed incomes, and urged creation of a special commission to study the market and recommend solutions. Some asked that residents themselves be included on the commission and suggested more immediate relief if possible. On S. 2739, fire chiefs from Hopkinton and East Hampton supported a state fund for fire cisterns, saying many communities lack municipal water or hydrants and need reliable year-round water sources for structure fires, wildfires, and newer hazards such as lithium-ion battery fires. They said cisterns improve response and can affect insurance ratings, but maintenance and installation costs are difficult for local departments to cover. The Massachusetts Insurance Federation opposed the funding mechanism, arguing that insurance assessments are being used as revenue generators and warning that the proposal would add to policy costs and trigger retaliatory taxes. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2732 from physicians and specialty groups, including Dr. Jenny Labonte, Dr. Wendy Cohen, Dr. Rica Nair, and the Massachusetts GI Association. They said the bill would allow direct primary care physicians to make referrals for HMO patients and permit in-office dispensing of medications, which they argued would improve access, continuity of care, medication adherence, and affordability. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing.