Transcript Highlights:

• When a well is orphaned, the state assumes the liability of the well in perpetuity.
• SB 1146 will allow operators in good standing who own interest in a current oil and gas lease or mineral
• It's a win for the state, and it facilitates companies in advancing the development of oil and gas in
• to my knowledge, nobody's ever participated in it.
• So I think it sounds like the substitute is heading in the right direction.

Bills: SB 1150, SB 763, SB 1061, SB 1146, SB 1198

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• Statute requires notice for a uranium mining administrative hearing when an applicant seeks an area permit
• Members of the Temerior Uranium Committee and here in support of Senate Bill 1061, appreciate Senator
• This is just going to help the uranium mining industry in Texas and help the nuclear cycle in the state
• their areas. to provide the uranium that is feeding the reactors, not only in the U.S. but also the
• If anyone else in the room in this room in Part one can hear me well, you can hear me clearly.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• accordance with railroad law. 27 The Ledge Council has been the long pole in the tent.
• We think this is a common sense bill that 63 in advancing the development of oil and gas in this state
• So, just something to consider that 50% thing is in the 83 owners, you may have some participation in
• Sure, if you wish to caucus with him. out in a parking lot, that would be, you know.
• Hearing and seeing none, the committee stands in recess, subject to call of the chair.

Bills: SB1150, SB763, SB1061, SB1146, SB1198, HB279, HB310

Keywords: concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting

Transcript Highlights:

• We can't just, um, we can't just hope that no one comes in or hope that someone comes in and have it
• Um, I, I believe in, in, you know, Henry Thoreau said, you know, the government that is best governs
• So maybe there's 12 in the room in general.
• So I guess in my experience in, in dealing with, you know, public life things.
• in there themselves.

Bills: HB 279, HB 310, HB 365, HB 391, HB 420, HB 422, HB 638

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• And type type in in in the box. I don't respectfully.
• It's in full go right now in South Texas, and it's creating needed jobs in some of our regions.
• Texas stands to play a critical role. in the resurgence of the uranium industry in the U.S. geopolitical
• in the U.S., including the two nuclear power facilities in Texas, and it is important that Texas mining
• This is the Uranium Mining Committee, registered for the bill, not testifying.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• That comes in to view the meetings.
• up here in Austin who've had us do that and we've come in and set up a two camera system.
• there's 12... in the room in general.
• So, I guess in my experience in dealing with, you know, public... life.
• There's been a large uptick in my district. types of meetings and go in there themselves.

Bills: HB279, HB310, HB365, HB391, HB420, HB422, HB638, HB279, HB310

Keywords: HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit, production area authorization, production zone, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, contested case hearing, administrative hearing, groundwater restoration, groundwater baseline, water quality, mining permit, restoration values, natural resources, environmental regulation, in-situ uranium mining, permit amendment, public hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a thousand sites in New Mexico that are considered abandoned uranium mine sites left over from
• I've been advocating for opposing new uranium mining in my community in Church Rock and the Red Water
• I've been advocating for opposing new uranium mining in my community in Church Rock and the Red Water
• think uranium mining was included in.
• mine cleanup projects, there's 15 in total, and that will cease operation.

Bills: SB66, SB79, SB108

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We brought forward a bill to clean up all uranium mining tailings in Navajo Nation, and the uranium belt
• From Arizona, we brought forward a bill to clean up all uranium mining tailings in Navajo Nation, and
• Because of the pollution and devastation caused, particularly by unreclaimed uranium mines in northwestern
• From the 1940s through the Cold War, hundreds of uranium mines were developed in our homelands.
• Navajo people worked in those mines.

Bills: SB201, SB226, SB242, SB249

Keywords: rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, a planned excavation is many miles in length.
• In regards to if they don't call in.
• C-4 founded in 1984 in Dallas, Texas. We are the largest 8-1-1 notification center in the country.
• and 84 in 2024.
• Located that line in time and they go in and they break it in Van Dever representing Van Dever's just

Bills: HB206, HB 1285, HB1335, HJR107, HB206

Keywords: pipeline, construction, cash bond, county authority, local government, HB 1285, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, drones, unmanned aircraft, UAS, drone inspections, oil and gas, pipeline inspection, surface mining, well sites, tank batteries, disposal wells, injection sites, natural resources

Bills: SB154, SB362, SB544, SB714

Keywords: conservation, water management, Colorado River, environment, sustainability, mining, federal minerals, Bull Mountains, Montana, coal, land management, environmental impact, mining regulation, hardrock mining, land use, environmental protection, Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund, critical minerals, energy regulation, material designation

Transcript Highlights:

• But in my work in Congress and at Interior, I also learned first-hand how the decisions we make in Washington
• and when I was in the army, especially when I was in Iraq.
• McGregor here in terms of drought in Arizona.
• The question to you is, how would allowing companies to mine in or near national parks preserve every
• I'm unfamiliar of any situation where there's mining directly in a national park.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• are so grateful to have you serving in are so grateful to have you serving in the<00:04:17.680><
• And so hopefully these kinds of things will take care of that, um, and put them in compliance and in
• in compliance and<00:07:37.199> in<00:07:37.360> the<00:07:37.520> rotation<00:07
• in mass. in mass.
• We got we did it in eight minutes.

Bills: SB89, SB54, SB127, SB128, SB77, SB78, SB100, SB101, SB102, SB103, SB113, SB126, SB122, SB136

Keywords: pilotage, commission, statewide laws, maritime regulation, repeal, sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, state agency, continuous operation, government efficiency, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, 911 services, 911 Board

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, I'll just note that in addition to these lane expansion models, we are in the process of
• So in...
• $10 billion in this state in the last couple years.
• Emissions for mining and sizing and washing aggregates is relatively low. in our ability to keep costs
• And so if we can get those mined out, you look at what's gone on in Maple Grove.

Bills: HF4807

Keywords: overweight vehicles, aggregate mining, local ordinance restrictions, legislative audit, transportation, resource inventory

Transcript Highlights:

• of that this committee, um, has jurisdiction over in workforce and in labor and labor rights and in
• in workforce and in jurisdiction over in workforce and in labor<00:03:10.959> and<00:03:11.120
• career from mining to a new path in my life.
• career from mining to a new path in my life.
• help out in my own personal way. help out in my own personal way.

Bills: HF3393

Keywords: unemployment insurance, iron ore mining, additional benefits, labor force, economic support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Or it could be mining in another area.
• My great-grandfather came over from Mexico many years ago to work in the copper mines here in Arizona
• steps to start ...in the process of taking steps to start remediating many of the open uranium mines
• And here in the state of Arizona, we have hundreds of open uranium mines, and we're talking about small
• There's no accusation in the audit that mines have done anything nefarious.

Bills: HB2014, HB2055, HB2145, HB2150, HB2696, HB2755, HB2763, HB2781, HB2782, HB2787, HB2795, HB2889, HB2975, HB2985, HB2986, HCM2009, HCR2020, HCR2038

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, Arizona Revised Statutes, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, state land department, mineral lease, renewals

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee approved the March 17 minutes and then took up a long calendar of bills, holding HCR 2038. HB 2787, which would bar the state and its political subdivisions from using personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with the Mexican wolf reintroduction program, drew opposition from Sierra Club and Humane World for Animals/Animal Defense League of Arizona, who argued it would hinder wolf recovery and undercut science-based wildlife management. The committee nevertheless gave HB 2787 a do-pass recommendation by a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2055 on a Brackish Groundwater Recovery Program Fund and HB 2782 on disclosure requirements for regulatory assets in utility rates. Testimony on HB 2055 raised concerns that brackish groundwater is still groundwater and that pumping it could cause localized impacts, but the bill initially received a do-pass recommendation before a later vote failed on reconsideration. HB 2782 prompted discussion about Corporation Commission authority and utility regulation, but it ultimately received a do-pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 2781, a solar energy decommissioning and financial assurance bill, with testimony from environmental groups, industry representatives, and a local official; an amendment by Senator Sundareshan to strengthen financial assurance and remove the remediation fund failed, and the underlying bill also failed on a tied 4-4 vote. Later, the committee approved HB 2975, which would suspend use of solar scoring maps on state trust lands and require new mining and housing scoring maps, despite opposition from environmental groups and neutral comments from the State Land Department that the solar map is only a guidance tool. HB 2696, as amended, passed after the committee adopted amendments shifting the Arizona Commerce Authority’s fuel-price mandate and creating a fuel resiliency task force; testimony focused on fuel supply, pipeline capacity, refinery access, and whether the ACA was the right agency to lead the effort. The committee also passed HCM 2009 urging Congress to require legislative approval for new national monuments and to streamline mining and land-swap processes, and HB 2889, which funds ADEQ monitoring of uranium contamination and creates a statewide registry and tribal partnership program. Finally, the committee approved HB 2763, which would require legislative approval before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission could close a shooting range. Supporters said it was meant to protect facilities like Ben Avery and preserve safe shooting locations, while opponents argued the bill was unnecessary because existing review steps already exist and there was no imminent closure threat. The committee also heard testimony on the bill from Game and Fish, which said the measure would add another layer to an already extensive closure process and that the department was neutral on the proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• New uranium mining in New Mexico. Bye bye. Okay, DJ, the floor is yours.
• Two uranium mine projects that are currently in progress by the Mining and Minerals Division include
• The other two mines, the in situ recovery mines, I'm unable to comment on.
• No new uranium mining in the TCP.
• in, mining the uranium out, and putting the water back in?

Bills: SB 2188, SB 2230, SB 1763, SB 879, SB 1147

Keywords: education, funding, state budget, public schools, school choice, geothermal energy, environmental regulation, Railroad Commission of Texas, closed-loop systems, energy production, regulatory exemption, mining, interstate compact, Texas, natural resources, state withdrawal

Transcript Highlights:

• Inspector in fiscal year 2027 for the purpose of monitoring uranium contamination.
• Across Navajo Nation alone, we have over 500 abandoned uranium mines, and there are many more across
• We do have a lot of uranium, especially where I’m from in the Cameron area, and we should hold these
• Another constituent of mine, who was recently in the hospital last week, wanted to testify and could
• Another constituent of mine, who was recently in the hospital last week, wanted to testify and could

Bills: HB2099, HB2263, HB2264, HB2330, HB2341, HB2492, HB2757, HB2782, HB2843, HB2889, HB2912, HB2915, HB2918, HB4025, HB4100, HCR2020, HCR2057

Keywords: water storage, long-term storage credits, groundwater management, drought contingency, Arizona water regulations, Colorado River, replenishment, groundwater savings facility, groundwater storage, underground water storage, active management area, irrigation non-expansion area, Arizona water law, water rights, water replenishment, recharge, water conservation district, multi-county water conservation district, CAP water, Central Arizona Project

Summary: The committee heard a series of water, energy, housing, and environmental bills, with several measures amended before passage. House Bill 2099, as amended, would limit long-term storage credits and related CAP water storage during declared Colorado River shortages; water utilities, CAP, Phoenix, and other water interests raised concerns about flexibility, contracts, and the law of the river, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to address shortage conditions. The committee adopted the Griffin amendment and passed the bill 6-3. House Bill 2263, also amended, would restrict where Colorado River water diverted for replenishment in an AMA may be stored; CAP, tribal counsel, and AMWA opposed it as too restrictive and potentially excluding existing facilities, but the bill passed 6-3 after amendment. House Bill 2264, requiring the University of Arizona to promote Arizona history and the five Cs through the mining museum, passed unanimously. House Bill 2330 and House Bill 2341, both concerning certificates of environmental compatibility for energy projects, passed 6-3 after amendments expanding siting factors to include character of an area and known off-takers, respectively. House Bill 2918, which would end certain tax benefits for renewable energy and storage equipment after 2026, also passed 6-3. House Bill 2889, appropriating $1 million for uranium contamination monitoring and a statewide registry with tribal epidemiology partnerships, passed unanimously after discussion about moving the program to ADEQ and adjusting the reporting date. House Bill 2492, which would bar state and local urban growth boundaries that prevent new development, passed narrowly 4-3 with one present and two absent. House Bill 2782, focused on utility rate transparency and regulatory assets, passed 5-3 after a late amendment and a motion to suspend committee rules for amendment distribution. House Bill 4025, creating a study committee on gasoline and petroleum refineries, passed 6-3, and HCR 2057 supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap passed unanimously. HCR 2020, supporting housing developments outside designated service areas under certain groundwater conditions, passed 6-2. House Bill 4100, requiring notice to customers about potential water-rate increases if CAP water is lost, drew concerns about public confusion and negotiation impacts; testimony from municipal water users opposed the bill as too speculative and difficult to implement, and the transcript ends while that bill is still under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to show you the only four pictures I've ever found of uranium mining in North Dakota in
• And then we also turned our attention to in-situ leach mining or ISL.
• Also, we turned our attention to in situ leach mining, or ISL, and I now call it ISR, for in situ recovery
• But Cameco had the Crow Butte in situ leach uranium mine, and they had thousands of wells.
• In his discovery of those 9 to 14 uranium mines, said was actually...

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm going to show you the only four pictures I've ever found of uranium mining in North Dakota in
• So I'm going to show you the only four pictures I've ever found of uranium mining in North Dakota in
• And then we also turned our attention to in-situ leach mining, or ISL.
• Also, we turned our attention to in-situ leach mining, or ISL, and I now call it ISR, for in-situ recovery
• But Cameco had the Crow Butte in-situ leach uranium mine, and they had thousands of wells.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.