Transcript Highlights:

• water and the same amount for clean water or wastewater grants.
• 00:06:52.560><c> or</c> and the same amount for clean water or and the same amount for clean water or
• due to contamination of drinking water by hazardous substances.
• </c><00:14:41.519><c> emerging</c> for a drinking water emerging for a drinking water emerging contaminant
• ,</c> here for asset preservation, for water, here for asset preservation, for water, for<00:26:16.559

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• paying water bills.
• paying water bills.
• paying water bills.
• paying water bills.
• Supply for their water.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.

Transcript Highlights:

• rights and clean water.
• But we're out in the water every day. We see what happens.
• As someone who is on the water every day, I am often the first to see any changes in water quality firsthand
• Someone who sees these waters every day.
• I'm opposed to this bill from Captains for Clean Water.

Transcript Highlights:

• My personal facility took 9 and a half feet of water at it.
• Oliver Saint Martin's water, a few gender.
• The water is what makes the oyster taste good.
• They're they're they're taking care of the water there.
• It must protect and enhance water.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lonsdale Water Tower and Water Main Loop, $4.851 million.
• Loretto Water Infrastructure, Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater, $2.7 million.
• Main</c><00:21:01.480><c> Loop</c> Lonsdale Water Tower and Water Main Loop Lonsdale Water Tower and
• ><c> Water</c><00:21:04.840><c> Infrastructure</c><00:21:05.600><c> Water,</c> Loretto Water Infrastructure
• Water, Loretto Water Infrastructure Water, Wastewater,<00:21:06.560><c> and</c><00:21:06.640><c> Stormwater

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section. House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package. Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The environmentalists and the water contractors don't all agree on how that water should be distributed
• We are an organization of 27 public water agencies who all receive water from the State Water Project
• water delivery continues.
• water agencies group, in support.
• The State Water Project is the State Water Project. So it's just a division of responsibilities.

Summary: The committee heard SB 872, which would direct $150 million annually each for Central Valley subsidence repairs and Delta levee work. Senator McNerney and supporters from Restore the Delta, the State Water Contractors, and many water agencies, labor groups, environmental organizations, and local governments argued the bill is urgent to protect water delivery for 27 million Californians, safeguard levees and state assets, and address climate-related flood risks. There was no opposition testimony, and members asked about the bill’s focus on state-owned conveyance; the author said the distinction reflects the separate state and federal water projects. The bill was held while the committee lacked a quorum, with no vote taken at that point. The committee then heard SB 981, which would require CARB to include cost-of-living impacts in its existing regulatory analysis for major rules. Senator Niello and supporters from agriculture, manufacturing, business, propane, restaurants, and commercial property groups said the bill would improve transparency about how regulations affect gasoline, electricity, food, housing, and business costs. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the Union of Concerned Scientists, argued it would add delay, cost, and redundant analysis to CARB rulemaking and could not reliably measure the effects the bill seeks to capture. Committee members raised concerns that CARB already estimates costs, that the bill is burdensome and narrow, and that it does not fully account for benefits or the role of other agencies. No vote was recorded in the transcript. SB 887, by Senator Padilla, would require data center projects to undergo CEQA review while creating a streamlined path for projects meeting strong environmental, labor, and community-benefit criteria, including zero-carbon electricity, on-site storage, recycled water or water-efficient cooling, and full cost responsibility for grid upgrades. Supporters said data centers are rapidly expanding, can strain energy and water resources, and should be held to clear standards while still allowing beneficial development; labor and environmental groups backed the measure. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and business groups said the bill is overly prescriptive, discriminatory toward one industry, and could drive investment and jobs out of state. After discussion, the committee established a quorum and voted 3-1 to pass SB 887 as amended to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, with the bill kept on call. The committee also heard SB 1008, which would renew a CEQA exemption for the closure of at-grade rail crossings ordered by the California Public Utilities Commission. Senator Ochoa Bogh and Union Pacific testified that the measure would help the state act quickly on rail safety by removing redundant environmental review for crossing closures, while still requiring collaboration with local jurisdictions and the PUC. There was support from railroad and business representatives and no opposition. The committee voted 4-0 to pass SB 1008 to the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and the bill was kept on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• managing water and and people skills in managing water uh<00:03:25.800><c> water</c><00:03:26.000><c>
• </c> uh water resources in Hawaii. uh water resources in Hawaii.
• </c> the land and the water. the land and the water.
• </c> for water resource management in Hawaii. for water resource management in Hawaii.
• </c> available water in North Kona. available water in North Kona.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up several gubernatorial nominations, beginning with GM 640 for Juanita Rio Colón to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Public testimony and the nominee’s remarks strongly emphasized her water-system management background, Native Hawaiian stewardship values, and representation for Molokai. Committee members praised her qualifications and neighbor-island perspective, and also discussed broader concerns about reforming the Water Commission, including a separate bill to create a more independent authority and reduce politics in water decisions. Colón said she supported the restructuring effort and would serve with integrity and attention to constitutional water rights and climate resilience. The committee then heard GM 639 for Moses Haia III to the same commission. DLNR and OHA testified, and Haia described his long legal career, prior work on the Waihole contested case, and experience with Native Hawaiian rights and water law. Members asked about his ability to serve impartially given his advocacy background; Haia acknowledged that some may perceive a conflict from his prior work but said he did not believe it was a reasonable conflict and would follow the law and balance competing interests. The discussion again returned to the proposed Water Commission restructuring, which Haia said he supported as a way to provide independence and balance. Next, the committee considered GM 649 for Gilbert Coloma to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. DLNR and other testifiers explained that this was a new interstate commission created under the 2024 act, with Hawaii joining six U.S. states to address fisheries issues across state boundaries. Coloma, a commercial fisher from Hilo, said he brought more than 40 years of industry, cultural, and traditional experience and would represent Hawaii’s fishing communities. Members asked about the commission’s structure, meeting rotation, and funding, and were told the state covers dues through special funds. The committee also briefly took up GM 692 for Riley Smith’s reappointment to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council supported him, while Sierra Club Hui raised concerns about prior decisions affecting Native Hawaiian rights and public trust resources. Smith said he supported more residential uses in East Kapolei if the necessary planning and environmental review changes were made, and he began responding to questions about prior BLNR litigation before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:24.720><c> rights</c> a year for deed water rights a year for deed water rights specifically
• </c> recognize how important municipal water recognize how important municipal water and<05:13:14.160
• </c> drinking water for these towns. drinking water for these towns.
• </c><05:23:38.638><c> use</c> that set forth the water use that set forth the water use expectations<
• </c><05:24:45.120><c> lines</c> water systems by extending water lines water systems by extending water

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Experts that carry the water.
• Water that they're cleaning.
• For future water sustainability through the U Water Pipeline Project that has been funded by the Water
• It is the zone above the water table from the surface down to the water table.
• drinking water.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Senator<00:23:40.720><c> Waters.</c> &gt;&gt; Senator Waters. &gt;&gt; Senator Waters.
• </c><01:01:28.799><c> in</c> water system or many towns have water in water system or many towns have
• water in waste<01:01:29.200><c> water.
• </c> waste water. We'll give you $100,000. waste water.
• But<01:09:11.120><c> Senator</c><01:09:11.440><c> Waters,</c> But Senator Waters, But Senator Waters,

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Said that's not exactly true whenever you fish in eight feet of water, 12 feet of water, 15 feet of water
• , 20 feet of water.
• Lastly, the 22-foot water depth will keep them out of shallow water.
• Lastly, the 22-foot water depth will keep them out of shallow water.
• Why fish in such shallow waters? Why play with fire? Why fish in such shallow waters?

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is to the water development board is really looking at the water, the water water needs that
• The water couldn't turn on.
• I would say the responsibility for the state of Texas, the electric and water... electric and water utilities
• I understand on the water. side.
• Or they have their own water well, frankly, and septic tank system for waste water. Whatnot.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , chilled water, uh, chiller retrofits.
• But produced water, we consider produced water to be water that comes back up the hole after you have
• Um, remember, we're using today a lot of water going down hole if we're fracking a job, but that water
• water, meaning it is not, we aren't using that much fresh water in this industry anymore, so it's brackish
• water.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, over 40% of New Mexico's drinking water systems are out of compliance with drinking water
• Local governments and water authorities can go and seek financial assistance for their priority water
• Because we know how, across water systems, water is a priority, and many of our local governments and
• If someone wanted financial assistance for real-time water monitoring, they could go to the Water Trust
• Real-time water monitoring is about what's in the water.

Transcript Highlights:

• Water monitoring.
• Currently, over 40% of New Mexico's drinking water systems are out of compliance with drinking water
• Local governments and water authorities can go and seek financial assistance for their priority water
• and water systems need resources to get their water to where it needs to be across different uses.
• Real-time water monitoring is about what's in the water.

Transcript Highlights:

• steady supply of clean water.
• steady supply of clean water.
• and Land Committee, for his remarks. forests act as our Nature's water forests act as our Nature's water
• This partnership has worked tirelessly to protect our most precious resource: water.
• This partnership has worked tirelessly to protect our most precious resource: water.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The environmentalists and the water contractors don't all agree on how that water should be distributed
• We are an organization of 27 public water agencies who all receive water from the State Water Project
• water delivery continues.
• water agencies group, in support.
• Cyrus Devers, for the Los Vaqueros Municipal Water District and the Coachella Valley Water District,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1211, fracking water use tax exemption, is a continuation of water and trying to save a finite
• resource in our fresh water supply.
• The definition includes traditional wastewater, recycled water, or produced water, as well as brine water
• The definition includes traditional wastewater, recycled water, or produced water, as well as brine water
• This furthers that by including the new definitions of water.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• But regardless of which of these water safety features... The water.
• one water safety feature to comply.
• Water is everywhere.
• Water is everywhere.
• But if, let's say, there's a city that's providing water service...

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard and approved several bills on water quality, public safety, utilities, and transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment and water quality enhancement areas was presented as a follow-up to prior water quality legislation and was reported favorably with no opposition. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy, drowning prevention, and autism advocates who described Florida’s high child drowning rates and supported requiring at least one pool or water-safety feature at short- and long-term rentals; the committee adopted two amendments, including one requiring license applicants to certify compliance, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1724 on municipal utility services, which addresses outside-city utility service agreements, revenue use, rate limits, and customer meetings; an amendment added gas utilities back into the bill. CS/SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a section viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then reported favorably. SB 1622, creating a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, was supported by speakers and reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage at towing facilities was amended to focus on storage only and to limit the extra fee period until inspection clears fire risk; the bill drew mixed testimony from insurers, towing-related interests, and fire officials, but was reported favorably. Later, SB 1264 on private schools was presented as easing zoning and occupancy barriers for small schools and microschools, with supporters saying it would help meet demand for school choice; members raised concerns about local implementation, but the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits was amended to apply only to residential properties and to clarify capacity and annexation-related exceptions; it was supported by local-government and environmental testimony and reported favorably. CS/SB 1102, expanding the local government infrastructure surtax to include body camera costs, was amended so any use would require a new referendum and was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related information, drew testimony from counties, cities, and transparency advocates about costs and uniform templates, and was reported favorably after amendment, with several senators noting concerns for smaller local governments while supporting the transparency goal.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not find bacteria in the water, so we went ahead and just put a precautionary boil-water notice
• The majority of our problems in the water were deemed aesthetic.
• water quality reports.
• Line 315, when we talk about water management districts, it reads, a water management district or the
• is harmful to the water resources.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of land use, public records, infrastructure, and local-government bills. The most debated measures were CS for CS for HB 399 and CS for HB 979, both sponsored by Rep. Borrero, which sought to streamline development approvals and reduce local-government barriers. HB 399 would require simple-majority approval for certain land development applications, mandate local definitions of compatibility, and add provisions affecting destination resorts, manufactured housing, historic properties, and a study of urban development boundaries. HB 979 would allow administrative rezoning of environmentally damaged five-acre-or-larger parcels in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties for residential use if adjacent to neighborhoods. Supporters argued both bills would increase housing supply, encourage cleanup of contaminated land, and lower costs; opponents argued they preempt local decision-making, weaken voter-approved growth controls, and do not guarantee affordability. Both bills were amended and then reported favorably, with HB 399 passing 16-10 and HB 979 passing after debate. The committee also approved CS for HB 437, a public records bill by Rep. Andrade, on a 25-0 vote. The bill requires agencies to respond to public records requests within three days by producing the records, citing why they cannot, or giving a good-faith estimate of time and cost; it also limits agencies from later relying on exemptions not previously raised. Proponents said the measure addresses long delays and nonresponses by agencies, while school district representatives warned the timeline could be difficult for large, complex requests. The committee adopted the bill and sent it favorably. Several local and special district bills were also approved. CS for CS for HB 1103 would help local governments coordinate with FWC on derelict vessels and anchoring issues and passed unanimously. CS for HB 1245, dealing with biosolids regulation, also passed unanimously. CS for HB 4081 to expand the East Point Water and Sewer District passed 25-0. CS for HB 4103, creating a state special district for the Apalachicola water and sewer system, passed 25-1 after testimony from city officials who argued the city had improved its water system and should retain a role. CS for HB 4105, expanding the Port St. Joe Port Authority into a multi-county regional board, passed 23-3 despite opposition from residents concerned about infrastructure, environmental impacts, and local control. The committee also began consideration of PCS for CS for HB 433, an agriculture-related bill with changes to surplus lands and other provisions, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.