Video & Transcript Research : 'drought'
Page 8 of 47
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- it into practice, integrated into climate changes that we can, you know, help with the wildfires, drought
- we can, you know, help with the that we can, you know, help with the wildfires,<00:12:49.920>
drought - ,<00:12:50.680>
renewable <00:12:51.240>energy, wildfires, drought, renewable energy - , wildfires, drought, renewable energy, XYZ.<00:12:53.520>
Many <00:12:53.800>ranches <00
Summary:
The Senate AEN committee heard and considered four gubernatorial nominations. GM 511 was for Harry Purdy III to the Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board; testimony in support came from DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Moloka‘i community members, and Purdy described his long background in Moloka‘i homestead farming and the challenges facing new farmers. GM 676 was for Denise Kuano to the same board; the committee noted support from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and it was reported that Kuano could not testify because of a family emergency. GM 771 was for James Gomes to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council strongly supported him, citing his long agricultural experience, advocacy, and prior board service, and Gomes emphasized ag crime enforcement, land access, water, and support for farmers and ranchers. GM 772 was for Michelle Lefebvre to the Environmental Advisory Council; the Environmental Advisory Council and OPSD supported her, and Lefebvre discussed her work on the council’s exemptions committee and the need for better public understanding of the environmental review process.
Members asked nominees questions about barriers for young homesteaders, ag crime enforcement, prior board service, environmental stewardship, and public engagement in environmental review. Gomes said the biggest challenges include lack of experience for new homesteaders, weak enforcement against ag crimes and drug activity on ranches, and the need for more land and resources for agriculture. Lefebvre said the environmental review process often falls short in public understanding and that comments are not a vote but part of an analytical process.
After testimony, the committee reported support counts for each nomination and then voted to recommend advise and consent on all four measures. GM 511, GM 676, GM 771, and GM 772 were each adopted unanimously by the members present, with some members excused. The chair then announced the committee would move on to the next agenda item.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Climate change and persistent drought are now threatening this fundamental requirement for public safety
- As I sit here with the state being in such a drought, I've placed the cisterns in strategic places.
- cisterns and I've installed two of them right now and as I sit here with the state being in such a drought
- But, stressing once again, those static water sources are affected by drought; they're affected by weather
- the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where I study how changes in climate and vegetation affect drought
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing with about 43 witnesses and a 1:00 p.m. hard stop, and the chair repeatedly asked speakers to keep testimony to three minutes. Much of the hearing focused on S. 747/H. 1336, which would extend paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance to graduate student workers. Supporters included legislators, union leaders, graduate workers from MIT, Harvard, BU, WPI, UMass Lowell, and others, and legal advocates. They argued graduate workers perform full-time teaching and research work, pay taxes, and should not be excluded from basic safety-net benefits; several witnesses described personal hardships involving childbirth, serious illness, mental health crises, funding cuts, or fear of losing income. Testifiers also said the change would be revenue-neutral or revenue-generating and would not create major administrative burdens for universities, which already provide similar benefits to other employees.
The committee also heard testimony on insurance-related bills. Christopher Stock of the Massachusetts Insurance Federation supported H. 1113 on public adjusters and H. 1345/S. 753 on flood-zone notifications for homebuyers, but opposed H. 4112, which would add a $2 surcharge on home insurance policies to fund fire cistern programs. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council strongly supported H. 1345, saying flood disclosure is needed because Massachusetts lacks statewide flood-notification requirements and flooding risks are increasing. Karen Alvarado supported H. 4352 on travel insurance, and John Fielding supported H. 1186 on pet insurance; both said the bills would create uniform regulatory frameworks and consumer protections. Rep. LeBoeuf testified for H. 4061 on workers’ compensation premium fraud, describing the bill as a transparency measure to combat fraud in construction by creating a public certificate-of-insurance database and QR-code verification system. Joe Bright of the carpenters’ union also supported H. 4061, citing fraud, misclassification, and the harm to injured workers.
The hearing also included testimony on H. 4112, a bill to create a statewide fire suppression water resource fund and cistern program. Rep. Hogan and a Stowe fire chief described drought, brush fires, and the need for dedicated cisterns in communities without municipal water systems, saying the tanks provide reliable water for firefighting and are relatively low-tech once installed. Committee members asked questions about tank capacity, siting, maintenance, and funding. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Aug 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We're in a severe drought right now, and so we've resorted to what our grandparents did.
- This is what the sky and the water have been telling us: we are in a 20-year drought.
- Comments: The first is, in my opinion, we're not in a 20-year drought.
- We're in a permanent drought. The patterns have changed.
- , and thousands of people died because of drought.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Katharine MacGregor, of Florida, to be Deputy Secretary of the Interior, and James Danly, of Tennessee, to be Deputy Secretary of Energy. Apr 2nd, 2025 at 09:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- McGregor here in terms of drought in Arizona.
- flaws. us that limit its ability to pass water at low elevations, which is really bad when we have drought
- Senator, I know that we had a great conversation about drought in the West and how that impacts water
- alternatives so I will absolutely commit to working with you on that and other issues related to drought
- McGregor, much of the West has been experiencing historic drought.
Keywords:
nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development
Summary:
The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/14/2026 - 31st Annual Indian Nations & Tribes Legislative Day
Transcript Highlights:
- Arizona faced prolonged drought for these waters since time immemorial.
- Arizona faced prolonged drought for decades, and today climate change and continued population growth
- Over time, pressures on water, droughts, and overuse have threatened our ability to sustain our communities
Summary:
The Arizona House and Senate held the joint protocol session for the 31st Annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day, opening with a tribal blessing, presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance. House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen welcomed tribal leaders, elders, and guests, emphasizing the importance of government-to-government collaboration, tribal sovereignty, and the role of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes in issues such as water, energy, infrastructure, public safety, and economic development.
The tribal address was delivered by Fort Mojave Chairman Timothy Williams, who focused heavily on Colorado River water rights, drought, climate change, and the need to include tribes in any future river management framework as current guidelines expire. He also discussed tribal economic development, education, public safety, border security, and the importance of protecting culture, language, land, and water. Thana Autumn Nation Chairman Verlin Jose similarly stressed unity, tribal sovereignty, border issues, water stewardship, and the economic impact of tribal gaming, arguing that tribes should be full partners in state and federal policy discussions and opposing a fixed border wall.
Dr. Laura Tohi of the Navajo Nation gave a poetry reading and spoke about her background, the importance of language and oral tradition, and her role as Arizona State Poet Laureate. Her poems centered on food, water, weaving, and homeland. The session concluded with closing remarks from legislative leaders thanking participants for their perspectives and contributions, and the joint protocol session was dissolved. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Those of us that live in East Texas will remember the drought of 2011, which was a hundred-year drought
- At some point they may have to drill wells just as a backup system, like in a drought situation.
- And when you had a drought, all you could do was go down to the creek and get water.
- And you can go back and find the drought years just based on those lines right there.
- We need to do a... ...lot of things to study drought and how we can overcome drought.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session.
Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties.
TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- comes to some of that avian influenza and things like that, can purchase watering systems during drought
- comes to some of that avian influenza and things like that, can purchase watering systems during drought
- comes to some of that avian influenza and things like that, can purchase watering systems during drought
- comes to some of that avian influenza and things like that, can purchase watering systems during drought
- We administered about $8 million of drought relief a couple years ago after that severe drought, and
Keywords:
HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine options to reduce catastrophic wildfire, including H.R.471, to expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisd Mar 6th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Drought and wildfire, of course, are at the top of the list.
- Colorado is already in drought, months before summer has even started.
- Worsening weather severity is exacerbating precipitation and drought cycles that increase dry brush and
- Extended droughts, earlier snow melt, which create higher, drier conditions for longer fire seasons,
Bills:
HB471
Keywords:
forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I pointed out that they had had a drought the year before.
- And they all said, yeah, we had a big drought in Ohio the year before.
- In the next drought, who curtails? And I went right down the line.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met with a quorum present and heard an update from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of the Office of Public Counsel. Trierweiler described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate cases and related proceedings, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service hearings to challenge unsupported utility costs while seeking outcomes that are “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable.”
A major focus of the presentation was the office’s work on large utility dockets, especially the Florida Power & Light rate case, as well as other recent cases involving Duke, TECO, Sunshine, and St. Joe. Trierweiler said the office had settled some cases but not others, had two appeals pending, and had filed motions for reconsideration where required. He also discussed storm cost recovery, affordability concerns, and the new challenge of data center tariffs and related energy and water demands. He said the office brought in new experts on affordability and data centers and was trying to get ahead of those issues through workshops and settlement efforts.
Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how the office evaluates a fair profit for utilities, the role of settlements and counterproposals, and the impact of data centers on energy and water use. Trierweiler said customer voices come in through hearings and correspondence, that utilities are entitled to a fair return but not imprudent costs, and that the office is concerned about data center growth and its resource demands. No votes were taken, and the committee concluded its agenda and adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight Jan 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- want to lose them, the two most experienced people in this photo have just retired after extended drought
- And that's how you want to lose talented people at the end of an extended drought [questionable].
- That's how you want to lose talented people at the end of an extended drought.
Summary:
The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals.
Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects.
Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- we have communities, particularly poor and low-income communities, that run out of water during droughts
- With increasing variability in water conditions, including declining snowpack and potential drought scenarios
- statute and recognizes its importance, especially considering the impacts of climate change and future droughts
Summary:
The committee heard several bills related to wildlife access, groundwater enforcement, desert plant regulation, outdoor equity, and water supply planning. SB 1021 would direct the Fish and Game Commission to create accommodations for children with life-threatening illnesses to participate in hunting and fishing opportunities; supporters described the bill as therapeutic and family-centered, while an opposition group argued the state should focus on non-lethal outdoor activities. SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and penalties under SGMA; the author and agency said the bill closes an enforcement gap for a special-legislation GSA, and it drew broad support from local government and agricultural groups. The committee also considered SB 1061, which would streamline relocation permits for Western Joshua trees on private property; the author and local officials said the current law creates burdens for homeowners and infrastructure, while supporters framed the bill as a balance between conservation and property rights.
Members also heard SB 1268, which would codify the Outdoors for All initiative to expand park access and outdoor equity, especially in underserved communities; it received strong support from environmental, parks, local government, and community organizations, with members praising the effort to improve access. SB 1085 would restore water supply assessment requirements for large developments even when CEQA exemptions apply, so local agencies still receive early information about water availability; the sponsor and water agencies said the bill helps prevent “paper water” problems and supports planning in drought conditions, and the building industry indicated it would remove its opposition after amendments. The committee accepted amendments on several bills, took roll once quorum was established, and advanced the measures by vote.
Votes taken included SB 997, SB 1021, SB 1061, SB 1085, and SB 1268, all of which were reported out of committee, with SB 1061, SB 1085, and SB 1268 later recorded as passing 11-0. SB 997 was approved on a due-pass motion to Judiciary, SB 1021 was sent to Appropriations as amended, SB 1061 and SB 1085 were sent to Appropriations and Local Government respectively, and SB 1268 was sent to Natural Resources. The meeting concluded with the committee adjourning after completing the votes.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I pointed out that they had had a drought the year before.
- And they all said, yeah, we had a big drought in Ohio the year before.
- In the next drought, who curtails? And I went right down the line.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight met to receive an overview from Public Counsel Walt Trierweiler on the work of his office. He described the office’s role in representing Florida utility customers in rate and service cases, including investor-owned electric, water, and wastewater matters, storm cost recovery, fuel clauses, storm protection plans, and specialized dockets. He emphasized the office’s use of depositions, expert witnesses, customer correspondence, and service-hearing testimony to challenge unsupported utility costs and seek “fair, just, reasonable, and affordable” outcomes for customers.
Trierweiler highlighted several current issues, including affordability, data centers, and the growing use of AI in reviewing large utility filings. He said the office has begun using affordability experts and data center witnesses, and that data center-related utility proposals raise concerns about energy demand, water use, and community impacts. He also expressed caution about AI and machine learning because of confidential utility information, while acknowledging that utilities, regulators, and his office are increasingly using such tools.
Members asked questions about how customer input is gathered, how profit is evaluated in rate cases, the role of settlement agreements, and whether the office is considering water consumption impacts from data centers. Trierweiler said customer feedback largely comes in through hearings, correspondence, and direct calls rather than office-led canvassing, and that his office seeks to limit imprudent costs while allowing utilities a fair return. He also explained that the office may file motions for reconsideration and appeals after PSC orders, and that it sometimes submits alternative settlement proposals even when approval is unlikely, to present a different option for the commission’s consideration. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after concluding its agenda.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Mar 24th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- over the course of the last, I guess, four or five years with the South Texas, well, with the Texas drought
- Now, Texas, a good portion of Texas is in a drought. The drought never left Bandera County.
Keywords:
family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 5th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- temporary flow requirements on the Shasta and the Smith that came out of the Governor's emergency drought
- were explicitly designed to be temporary and implemented in response to specific and extraordinary drought
- This is extending an emergency regulations that were promulgated during a drought.
- It was an emergency when we had a drought on flow requirements. That's where these came from.
- And today, you're extending it when there is no drought, right?
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then held its Latino Spirit Awards ceremony. Members adopted House Resolution 16, proclaiming May 4–11, 2025 as Cinco de Mayo Week, after supportive remarks from several caucuses emphasizing Mexican history, women’s contributions, LGBTQ solidarity, Black and Brown unity, and AAPI and Jewish community support. The chamber then recognized 11 Latino Spirit honorees for achievements in human rights, business, arts, public service, community empowerment, health and science, environmental justice, philanthropy, and entertainment.
After the ceremony, the Assembly returned to floor business and approved a series of measures. AB 60, banning synthetic nitro musks in cosmetics and personal care products, passed 56–3. AJR 6, urging Congress to protect federal school meal and local food funding, drew extensive debate and broad bipartisan support; members cited child hunger, farm economies, and local food systems, and it passed 76–0 with 73 coauthors added. Other measures adopted included AB 679 on state park land acquisitions, AB 681 expanding Dream Loan Program caps for undocumented graduate students, AB 1224 on substitute teacher continuity, AB 831 on gaming technical changes, AB 259 extending Brown Act teleconferencing flexibility, AB 467 extending Los Angeles Neighborhood Council teleconferencing authority, and AB 519 targeting deceptive puppy mill sales.
The chamber also passed AB 1522, an urgency Judiciary Committee bill protecting attorneys from politically motivated discipline and creating an expedited licensing path for some former federal attorneys, and AB 263, which extends temporary water flow requirements on the Shasta and Smith Rivers; that bill drew sharp disagreement over water rights, tribal participation, and impacts on farmers, but ultimately passed 51–16. Additional measures approved included AB 428 on pooled insurance for water corporations, AB 492 requiring notice to local jurisdictions when recovery treatment facilities are licensed, and AB 536 preserving colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Assembly also adopted a motion to suspend file notice so Appropriations could hear AB 379 on May 7.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , We also have seen a number of, uh, evolutions within cattle feeding, um, and as a result of the drought
- that we've experienced, not just the last 2, 3-year drought, but even the one previous to this, um,
- those have created about, they've really taken up some of the slack that we had seen previously in drought
- are full right now and continue to be, but we're always looking in the future and because of the drought
- significant, and we'll see a drop in feed yard occupancy in the, in the near future, uh, unless the drought
Bills:
HB294
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-06-02 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Literally, we're experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades.
- Literally, we're experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades.
- And while this drought certainly has an impact on our natural environment and structures, it also means
- Literally, we're experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades.
- And while this drought certainly has an impact on our natural environment and structures, it also means
Summary:
The House took up the special order calendar for a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes, CS/HJR 1F, which would create a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property, and restrict how counties and municipalities may use ad valorem tax revenue. The sponsor, Rep. Overdorf, said the measure would give homeowners tax relief and argued local governments could adjust spending or use other revenue sources. Opponents repeatedly questioned the ballot language, the lack of a fiscal estimate or backfill, and the potential impact on local services, public safety, and debt obligations. The House adopted the special order report and then debated the resolution and a series of amendments.
Several amendments were offered to carve out or protect specific services from the tax changes. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to protect Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was supported by members who said those entities fund early learning, mental health, aftercare, and other services for children and working families, but it failed 25-74. Rep. Cross offered an amendment to include water management districts in allowable ad valorem uses, warning of impacts on flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, and water supply; that amendment also failed. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment requiring the Legislature to backfill public safety funding if local revenues fall, arguing police and fire services, staffing, and response times would be at risk; it failed 25-71.
The chamber then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other local senior programs, and opponents saying the proposal was outside the bill’s scope. Finally, Rep. Gant offered an amendment to protect veteran services, saying local governments fund housing, mental health, transition, and family support programs for veterans; debate emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and avoiding cuts to those services. The transcript cuts off during debate on that amendment, before a final vote is shown.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jul 2nd, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I feel like yesterday's presentation that I gave in terms of the impacts of fire, floods, and drought
- The combination of extreme heat and drought means that the chance that a planted seedling survives is
- If, as we're doing right now, in years of drought, the Navajo Dam, Navajo Lake, has to release a certain
- , not just hundreds more seedlings under the trees which causes multiple problems, including more drought
- So really, what it is, is it's about heat and drought.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen, and you all know, that we're state that sometimes we have really severe droughts.
- at Worthington. in the drought of record.
- For most of Texas, that's the drought in the 1950s, although we've seen some really severe droughts like
- the... one-year drought of record in 2011.
- We do have some kind of emergency related if it was a disaster or if they're facing extreme drought.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Sep 12th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- , plan and implement infrastructure projects to enhance conservation and efficiency, and adapt to drought
- The word drought really doesn't belong in our conversation anymore except to ask the federal government
- for drought relief funds.
- This is not drought. Permanent drying. It's a ridification.
- One is major drought.