Transcript Highlights:

• But it still leaves a big hole in terms of resources and understanding where to go and what's out there

Bills: S0578

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, diagnosis, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss, cognitive decline, healthy aging, clinical trials, community resources, underserved communities, nonprofit, awareness campaign

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard CS for SB 57A, the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative by Senator Simon. The bill would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection and diagnosis, brain health education, awareness of research and clinical trials, and outreach to older adults and higher-risk populations, with the department contracting with nonprofits for education and awareness efforts. Senator Simon and the bill’s supporters emphasized Florida’s high Alzheimer’s prevalence and the need for public education and early intervention. John Strader, representing the Alzheimer’s Association in South Florida and speaking as a caregiver, testified in support and described how early diagnosis and recent medical advances make awareness campaigns more important. He said a local pilot campaign in Miami-Dade led to a more than 30% increase in calls to the association’s helpline. Karen Morillo of AARP Florida and Tyler Jefferson of the Alzheimer’s Association waived in support. Several senators voiced support and personal reflections on the impact of Alzheimer’s on families and caregivers. Senator Osgood asked about funding and whether the initiative would require new appropriations, and Senator Jones urged that the bill be fully funded and recognized Senator Simon’s personal connection to the issue. In closing, Senator Simon spoke emotionally about his mother’s diagnosis and the need to help families find resources earlier. The committee then approved the bill by roll call vote and reported CS for SB 57A favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we have a resource witness from TDLR if anyone would like to hear from the resource witness.
• Members, we have a resource witness from TABC. He was interested in asking questions. Seeing none.
• things like personal deposit and spending limits, self-exclusion, responsible responsible gaming resources

Bills: SB 28

Keywords: groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources

Bills: SB 410, SB 795, SB 2510, SB 728, SB 2689, HB 143

Keywords: Gulf Coast Protection District, navigation safety, special districts, state governance, Texas legislation, Gulf Coast, flood protection, storm risk management, coastal restoration, natural resources, prescribed burns, self-insurance, fire management, liability protection, rural land management, recycling, environment, sustainability, economic development, Texas Recycling Fund

Transcript Highlights:

• [Music] I call the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee to order.
• With there being 135 lakes in Douglas County, there are free resources out there for everyone to enjoy
• I would renew my motion that House File 413 be laid over. The bill is laid over.
• As we move toward Legacy potential renewal, or even the renewal that just occurred with the LCCMR, he
• potential renewal or even the renewal potential renewal or even the renewal that's<01:07:56.200>

Bills: HF276, HF413, HF411

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Bills: SB 2082, SB 2203, SB 2351, SB 2550, SCR 48

Keywords: concrete crushing, hospital proximity, environmental regulation, public health, zoning laws, concrete plants, standard permit, construction regulation, environmental compliance, health and safety code, water rights, property transfer, disclosure requirements, coastal property, Texas legislation, real estate, environmental impact, Gulf of America, coastal resources, Texas sovereignty

Bills: HB231

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have the human resources, whether it's volunteers who really make this happen or our staff.
• whether it's uh volunteers who resources whether it's uh volunteers who really<00:10:40.120> make
• We need to make sure that our financial and human resources adequately support mission delivery, and
• We need to make sure that our financial and human resources adequately support mission delivery, and
• We need to make sure that our financial and human resources adequately support mission delivery, and

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• out trying to... from our officers that are out trying to do the enforcement work and protect our resources
• I was the director of our Marine Resources Division before I became the commissioner, and I grew up on

Bills: HB55, HB212

Keywords: fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee on Natural Resources will now come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033, HB49

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Committee on Natural Resources, this will now come to order.
• We do have a resource witness from Bracewell Law Firm available to provide resource testimony today if
• To speak from anybody from TCEQ as a resource witness.
• natural resources code.
• If not, we have three resource witnesses. Will there be questions for the resource witnesses?

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033, HB49

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• The Devil's River is an essential natural resource for Texas, supporting wildlife, outdoor recreation
• 3333 is a targeted common-sense measure designed to protect one of Texas' most valuable natural resources
• of Texas face increasing degradation, now is the time to take action to protect this invaluable resource
• They have a resource value of $3.8 billion.

Bills: HB1730, HB1823, HB2048, HB2266, HB2440, HB3333, HB4086, HB4271, HB4413, HB4839, HB4841, HB5151

Keywords: PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, public health study, environmental regulation, drinking water, groundwater, surface water, food packaging, chemical exposure, firefighters, chemical manufacturing workers, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Railroad Commission of Texas, Department of State Health Services, University of Houston, occupational exposure, contaminants

Transcript Highlights:

• lacks a registered officer, while preserving supervision. are available, removing barriers for under-resourced

Bills: SB1346, SB1376, SB2075, SB2167, SB2864

Keywords: lottery, prohibited sales, winning tickets, sales agents, license revocation, code enforcement, training requirements, supervision, registered officer, occupations code, advisory boards, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, public members, occupational regulations, professional standards, massage therapy, licensing, human trafficking, regulation, Occupations Code

Bills: SF1832, HF2440, HF2442

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, climate finance, energy finance, renewable development account, RDA, weatherization, preweatherization, low-income housing, energy efficiency, clean energy

Transcript Highlights:

• ERCOT was in charge of the renewable credits.
• And part of that is renewables are the cheapest resource in the system. ...stack. Yeah.
• The industry in Texas has had a boom as a result of the CREZ project and the renewable energy resources
• Additionally, dispatchable resources could include batteries, load resources, and traditional fossil
• And to be clear, you said declining or renewal—that's a non-renewal.

Bills: SB388, SB455, SB917, SB925, SB1006

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to be able to respond and have the resources necessary to do so.
• Hearing none, there are resource witnesses. The chair opens the vote.
• We have a resource from the Texas Department of Information Resources.
• There are resource witnesses. Thank you, members. We have two.
• Clayton Chandler, oh, that's a resource, I'm sorry.

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no more renewable reproductive resource in Hawaii than marine fish.
• Please do not pass Senate Bill 2996. resources where they're needed most resources where they're needed
• There's no more renewable renewable renewable uh<00:56:38.160> reproductive<00:56:38.880> resource
• um the board of land natural resources um the board of land natural resources itself<00:58:17.599
• board of land and natural resources board of land and natural resources taking<01:30:52.960>

Bills: SB1406, SB521, SB3247, SB1654, SB1112, SB1301, SB2443, SB2996

Keywords: historic preservation, burial sites, DHHL, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, DLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, section 6E-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, Hawaii Register of Historic Places, National Register of Historic Places, cultural resources, archaeology, land use review, environmental review, state historic preservation officer, Hawaiian home lands, project permits, consultation, concurrence, nonconcurrence

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures affecting Hawaiian affairs, historic preservation, water access, and land governance. SB 1406 would let the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands assume historic preservation review for projects on lands under its jurisdiction, except for properties listed or nominated for the state or national historic registers. DHHL supported the bill, while a descendant testifier strongly opposed it, arguing that burial and preservation review protects ancestors and should not be streamlined or reduced. No questions were raised and the bill was moved on after testimony. SB 521 would require DHHL to work with county water boards or water departments to provide potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian homelands, with agreements made public. DHHL said it already works with counties but objected to the bill’s mandatory language, saying it could undermine the department’s discretion and independence. A public testifier supported the measure, and committee discussion focused on how water requirements could affect subsistence lots and infrastructure decisions. The committee then took up SB 3247, which would create a Royal Mausoleum Commission within DLNR to oversee preservation, operations, and outreach at Mauna Ala. State Parks said it valued existing collaboration with the aliʻi trusts but wanted clarity on roles, coordination, and funding if a new commission is created. The Royal Order of Kamehameha strongly supported the bill as a culturally grounded way to protect the site, while several other testifiers opposed it, saying the real issue is the curator selection process and warning that a commission could add bureaucracy and delay. The committee also heard SB 1654, authorizing transfer of certain state lands to DHHL, and SB 112, which would add the DHHL chair or designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority; the Attorney General and HCDA offered technical and policy comments, with HCDA opposing the board change and DHHL supporting participation to protect beneficiary interests. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And first up to testify, we have the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
• Charlie Taylor, on behalf of DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources, we stand on our comments.
• ,<00:36:09.680> and<00:36:09.839> we Division of Aquatic Resources, and we Division
• And Department of Land and Natural Resources...
• And Department of Land and Natural Resources...

Bills: HB644, HB1802, HB1569, HB1619, HB1620, HB1730, HB1749

Keywords: PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license, habitat conservation plan, HCP, DLNR, BLNR, Board of Land and Natural Resources, endangered species recovery committee, threatened species, endangered species

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are taking a holistic approach to equip state agencies with the resources and tools to better detect
• <00:03:36.959> very and misuse of public resources very and misuse of public resources very
• and tools to better detect resources and tools to better detect fraud<00:04:02.959> take<00:04
• This was designed to focus all of our resources to identify, disrupt, and hold offenders accountable
• <00:31:04.080> that<00:31:04.200> we<00:31:04.320> have resources that we have resources

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• way and open a pathway for landowners to have access to the information and the expertise and the resources

Bills: SB2173, SB2028, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134

Keywords: landowner, energy negotiation, agricultural preservation, orphaned wells, renewable energy, raw milk, unpasteurized milk, milk products, dairy, pasteurization, food safety, consumer warning label, health warning, farm sales, direct-to-consumer sales, ungraded milk, goat milk, raw milk cheese, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, agricultural regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• to federal changes included in HR 1, the Federal Reconciliation Bill, states are prohibited from renewing
• program will go away completely, and there is no flexibility now under new congressional action to renew
• I'm the Executive Director of the Renewable Energy Industries Association. Association.
• I'm the president of Positive Energy and also a board member of the Renewable Energy Industry Association
• Page 3, line 8, it talks about the Natural Resources Department may require to determine other... and

Bills: SB101, SB58, SB55

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government