Video & Transcript Research : 'exempt wells'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- to recover lost revenue due to their tax exemption.
- Well, I think the setting an arbitrary cap in of itself.
- Well, there's, there's tears of that. There's tears of that.
- Public Utility Commission is in a tough spot as well.
- Well, thank you for that, sir.
Keywords:
water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2022, my exempt water well, a domestic livestock well, has experienced a major decrease in the water
- I am sharing this experience because I believe this is an example of what happens when exempt wells are
- Let me just cut to the chase here; this bill does not create any new rights for exempt well owners.
- It doesn't place any new regulations on the exempt well owners, and it amends the water code to protect
- And consideration of these exempt wells is extremely important.
Keywords:
water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- to recover lost revenue due to their tax exemption.
- All right, well, let me give it a shot.
- Well, it's not really, they report to TCEQ for quality.
- Well, there's tiers of that. There's tiers. ...of that.
- Well, thank you for that, sir.
Keywords:
water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Finance and Taxation Apr 16th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance and Taxation
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, good morning, everybody, and welcome back to Finance and Tax.
- To get that up to the $200,000 level that would be exempted when you figure the true and full value to
- Well, now maybe we can open it up for questions from members. I'll do my best.
- So other than that, I appreciate Association of Counties being gracious on the June 1st date as well.
- Well, what did I have? We got line 5 and line 10. Yeah, I meant line 10. Excuse me.
Bills:
SB2397
Keywords:
oil and gas, tax exemption, development incentive wells, gross production tax, flaring, 908, all
Summary:
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee met and first took up House Bill 1382, the gas tax bill. Members explained an amendment to ensure that the proposed three-cent gas tax distribution would include all counties and townships in oil-producing counties, rather than excluding non-oil-producing counties as in the original draft. The committee adopted the amendment unanimously, but then held the bill for the time being because of related work on the Department of Transportation budget in the House.
The committee then turned to House Bill 1168, a large hoghouse amendment that combined the bill with the contents of House Bill 1176 and added technical corrections. The proposal would raise the primary residence property tax credit maximum from $1,250 to $1,650, keep the 75% cap with a $500 floor, and extend the credit to voter-approved levies while excluding special assessments. Other changes discussed included aligning the disabled veterans property tax credit with the $200,000 exemption level, adjusting budget and distribution dates so taxing districts are made whole sooner, exempting townships from a general-election vote requirement for levy increases, and modifying school funding formulas so schools are not shortchanged if mill levies are reduced under the cap.
Testimony from the Association of Counties and the State Supervisor of Assessments was generally supportive of the technical cleanup and implementation changes, but they raised concerns about the June 1 distribution date, application timing, and the practicality of some programming and administrative changes. Committee members also discussed the policy and messaging implications of the 75%/floor structure and the difficulty of applying the credit to certain voter-approved levies. No final action was taken on House Bill 1168; the committee agreed to continue working on amendments and recessed until later in the day.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 5th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1633 addresses this by amending the Water Code to add registered exempt wells to the list of factors
- wells by explicitly requiring the evaluation of exempt wells alongside other factors such as existing
- That predominantly access groundwater through exempt wells.
- wells by explicitly requiring the evaluation of exempt wells alongside other factors such as existing
- You heard the previous bill about exempt wells and how we do consider exempt wells, and so all of that
Keywords:
agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources
Summary:
The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Economic Development and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- Covington County is well represented by you, sir, and you and I had great conversations, and I appreciate
- this is the bill that I passed last year out of this committee, and we passed it out of House 4 as well
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 5th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 1633 addresses this by amending the Water Code to add exempt wells to the list of factors that a groundwater
- wells by explicitly requiring the evaluation of exempt wells alongside other factors such as existing
- I discovered in reading the text of this bill that I thought these exempt wells were being considered
- Also, it's important to note that it does not regulate exempt wells in any way because those are two
- You heard the previous bill about exempt wells and how we handle exempt wells, and so all of that is
Keywords:
agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Apr 16th, 2025
State Government
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But in trying to get the abandoned wells and inactive wells, you know, so I see the same parallel in
- and active wells.
- Well, there's no reapplication of electrical support structure to turn the well back on, but at the 10
- A lot of these wells, that field was discovered in the 20s and they continued to drill wells in the 50s
- well, and if they want to choose gas.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard several House bills dealing with environmental regulation, oil and gas safety, landfill permits, and utility cost recovery. HB 1237, by Rep. Geren and sponsored by Sen. Zaffirini, would extend TCEQ occupational license renewal deadlines from 30 days to 90 days, allow renewal up to one year with higher fees, and require a new application after longer expiration; the committee substitute clarified that applicants may continue working only until renewal is approved or denied and set a 180-day cutoff for renewal. HB 3071, sponsored by Sen. Hancock, would require TCEQ to cancel certain long-dormant municipal solid waste permits; members discussed concerns about precedent, ownership changes, and whether the bill should be narrowed, and the bill was left pending with a committee substitute expected.
The committee also heard HB 2663, sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, which would require operators of inactive oil and gas wells to remove or de-energize electrical equipment after 10 years and authorize Railroad Commission penalties for false compliance. Testimony from landowners, cattle raisers, and the Sierra Club supported the bill as a wildfire-prevention measure, and the bill was left pending. HB 4384, also by Rep. Darby and sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, would let natural gas utilities defer certain infrastructure costs for later recovery through the GRIP process; utility representatives supported it as credit-positive and consistent with existing accounting, while consumer advocates opposed it as increasing rates without enough oversight. The committee discussed possible amendments to add more cost controls, and the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee voted HB 2563, the companion to SB 2510, favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote and ordered it certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 143, which would codify interagency procedures for addressing electrical power line safety at well sites and related facilities after wildfire concerns; members said a committee substitute had been negotiated with agencies and stakeholders to clarify responsibilities, timelines, and inspection authority while reducing fiscal impact. No final vote was taken on HB 143, and the committee recessed with several bills still pending.
TX
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- going to use that well.
- In trying to get the abandoned wells and inactive wells, I see the same parallel in what you're trying
- Well, de-electrified...
- to drill wells from that time.
- So, well, in that sense, yes, it allows.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I do believe there are resource witnesses available to answer questions as well.
- I can answer any questions, and we do have somebody here from the agency as well.
- There have been concerns and confusion about whether small exempt wells, such as those used solely for
- that are already exempt from permitting under state law.
- Okay, um, so are they currently doing any metering on these types of wells?
Keywords:
Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election
Summary:
The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses.
The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending.
Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
TX
Keywords:
Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It exempts, it creates an explicit exemption for causes of action filed before the effective date of
- We didn't exempt people. We just said, you cannot bring that claim.
- These fees help prevent the state from bearing the full cost of orphaned wells.
- wells at less than 50 percent of the full fee, oil from stripper wells less than 25 percent of the full
- fee, gas from low-pressure wells 40 percent of the full fee, and gas from incapable wells 17.5 percent
Keywords:
fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- It exempts, it creates an explicit exemption for causes of action filed before the effective date of
- We didn't exempt people. We just said, you cannot bring that claim.
- These fees help prevent the state from bearing the full cost of orphaned wells.
- wells at less than 50 percent of the full fee, oil from stripper wells at less than 25 percent of the
- full fee, gas from low-pressure wells at 40 percent of the full fee, and gas from incapable wells at
Keywords:
fishing gear, Oyster Bayou, shrimping, regulation, marine resources, HB621, Act 658, renewable energy, recycling, decommissioning, wind energy, solar power, solar facilities, wind turbines, energy infrastructure, end-of-life disposal, universal waste, recyclable materials, waste reduction, Department of Environmental Quality
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources met on May 14 and approved the April 29 minutes. The committee first heard HB 1056, which authorizes transfer of certain state property in Natchitoches Parish tied to a former school building now considered dilapidated and a nuisance; it was reported favorably. HB 841, described as a landman code of conduct bill and expropriation-related measure, was voluntarily deferred so the sponsor could work on additional changes over the interim.
The committee then took up HB 804, the Louisiana Energy Protection Act, which would bar future lawsuits seeking climate-change damages against fossil fuel companies and other entities. Supporters said it would prevent speculative climate litigation while preserving legitimate claims for permit violations and other existing statutory causes of action. Opponents from coastal litigation and the Sierra Club argued the bill was drafted too broadly and could affect legacy cases, property rights, and regulatory enforcement; the committee adopted Amendment 3875 to grandfather existing filed cases and make the bill effective upon gubernatorial signature, then reported the bill favorably as amended.
HB 621, requiring recycling of decommissioned renewable energy infrastructure and updating the state’s waste framework for modern energy components, was reported favorably. HB 637, which revises oil field site restoration fees and lowers rates for marginal, stripper, low-pressure, and incapable wells, was also reported favorably. Finally, SB 480, as amended, allowed boats to anchor in Oyster Bayou so long as they are not within an oyster lease and someone remains on board; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably before adjourning.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd like to thank the committee for its brief time and thank Senator Cook as well as Senator Johnson
- Well, I want to express our gratitude to your staff for working with us.
- to tax-exempt private activity bonds. I understand your question.
- I'd like to thank the committee for its brief time and thank Senator Cook as well as Senator Johnson
- Well, I want to express to your staff our gratefulness in working with... us.
Keywords:
cowboy culture, Bandera, cultural heritage, historical significance, Texas identity, Birding Capital, Matagorda County, wildlife, conservation, Texas Legislature, statutory revision, code corrections, laws omitted, legislative updates, spaceports, tax-exempt bonds, aerospace investment, Texas space economy, Federal legislation, 1185
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- also see um adoption assistance as well also see um adoption assistance as well and<00:12:39.160
- details as well. details as well. >> Thank<00:12:41.760>
you. - in their well-being. in their well-being.
- <01:01:27.800>
We well-being and sense of security. We well-being and sense of security. - <01:15:10.680>
beyond expansion that's well beyond expansion that's well beyond what<01:15
Bills:
HF3415
Keywords:
child care, day care, licensed child care center, license-exempt child care, immigration enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, judicial warrant, facility access, sensitive locations, immigrant families, Minnesota Statutes chapter 142B, 1183, house
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Workforce Development Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Even our understand this well.
- federal tax exemption. federal tax exemption.
- ,<00:45:47.359>
of report and acknowledging as well, of report and acknowledging as well, - that the uh intermediaries do as well. that the uh intermediaries do as well.
- And so we have to as well.
Keywords:
bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds
Summary:
The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes as amended, correcting the meeting number from the 46th to the 45th meeting. It then took up House File 3217, which would restore funding for the Minnesota Bioincentive Program. Representative Kisha argued the state should honor commitments made to companies that met program requirements and had not received full reimbursement. Testifiers from the Great Plains Institute and Minnesota Biofuels Association said the program has supported bioeconomy investment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and generated strong economic returns, but has been underfunded, leaving unpaid claims. Members raised questions about whether the bill was retrospective and whether it should be reviewed by another committee; the bill was laid over for further consideration without a vote.
The committee then heard House File 2252, a proposal to modernize Minnesota’s private activity bond volume cap by shifting unused allocation from the small issuer/manufacturing bucket to the public facilities bucket while leaving the overall cap unchanged. The bill’s public finance testifier said the current allocation formula is outdated, housing would remain the top priority, and the change would be budget neutral. Testifiers from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Minnesota Biofuels Association supported the bill, saying it would better align financing with rural infrastructure, clean water, manure management, renewable natural gas, dairy processing, and low-carbon fuel projects, and could lower borrowing costs for those sectors. Members questioned whether the bill fit the committee’s jurisdiction and noted it might be more appropriate for another committee; the bill was also laid over for further consideration.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- as well. as well.
- well, including Duluth and Rochester. well, including Duluth and Rochester.
- potential follow-up question as well. potential follow-up question as well.
- I'll be brief as well.
- I'll be brief as well.
Keywords:
Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity (7-29-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGLd6CvGMIM, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00:05 – Roll Call Attendance
00:01:20 – Approval of June Minutes
00:01:40 – Searching for Kentucky’s Juneteenth
00:22:25 – Discussion on Elementary Education: The Promise Academy at William Wells Brown, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47