Transcript Highlights:

• We are still working on the situation that we find ourselves in with the San Carlos Irrigation Project
• The San Carlos Irrigation Project is operated by the BIA, which these days isn't really good at running
• of impact of storage definitions and has applied for years to area of impact of storage definitions
• district lands to be... ...they consider all enrolled irrigation district lands to be the area of influence
• This area has been deemed area of impact based on modeling.

Bills: SB1202, SB1287, SB1418, SB1785, SCM1007

Keywords: groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, irrigation, active management area, domestic use, stock watering, water rights, small modular reactors, energy regulation, environmental compatibility, utility construction, agricultural use, industrial users, water storage, recovery well, Arizona Revised Statutes, water management

Transcript Highlights:

• We should move it to square footage for the parking areas and the building itself.
• Why would they ever want to even consider just putting an establishment in an area like that?
• Just a really quick example: several years ago, a store closed in the Issaquah area.
• It freezes energy codes for residential and non-residential buildings.
• Especially in the rural areas. Thank you for the opportunity to testify this afternoon.

Bills: HB2517, HB2480, HB2588, HB1529, HB2223, HB2006, HB2573, HB2141

Keywords: municipal permitting, transit projects, high capacity transit, infrastructure, urban development, residential development, commercial zones, mixed-use zoning, urban planning, state regulations, county ferry district, ferry district, passenger-only ferry, passenger ferry, Puget Sound, Vashon, Seattle, Southworth, county transportation, local taxing authority

Summary: The committee opened public hearings on HB 2141 and HB 2573, then paused for caucus and later took executive action on several bills before returning to testimony. HB 2141 would impose a 10-year pause on most State Building Code Council updates after the 2024 codes, extend future update cycles to six years, restrict local amendments until the 2036 model codes, and remove the 2031 energy-code reduction target. Supporters, including builders, business groups, counties, and some local officials, argued the bill would reduce regulatory churn, lower housing costs, and give developers and local governments more certainty. Opponents, including environmental groups, architects, fire marshals, code professionals, and manufacturers, said the bill would freeze safety and energy-efficiency improvements, raise long-term utility costs, and undermine climate goals. No final action was taken on HB 2141 during the hearing. HB 2573 would require advance notice before grocery stores, pharmacies, and similar facilities close or are sold in communities that relied on them for housing, transit, or health planning; add a health and food access goal and a new healthy communities element to the Growth Management Act; authorize zoning tools to require or incentivize grocery or health-related uses; and allow cities and counties to impose excise taxes or nuisance fees on vacant former grocery-store properties, with some waivers for temporary or community uses. Supporters said the bill responds to recent closures in places like Lake City and Everett that created food and pharmacy deserts, harmed seniors and low-income residents, and disrupted local planning. Opponents from grocery industry groups argued the bill is punitive, could chill investment, and would unfairly penalize property owners who did not cause the closure. The hearing on HB 2573 was also left open without final action. During executive action, the committee adopted amendments and reported several bills out with do-pass recommendations: HB 2517, as amended to require notice to property owners before regional transit authorities apply for permits and to add property-owner consent protections; HB 2588, expanding county ferry district authority beyond passenger-only ferries; HB 1529, allowing counties to assist cities with paving and marking streets; HB 2223, allowing limited irrigation-district contract interests involving a director’s spouse; and HB 2006, as amended to narrow and extend the deadline for certain rural counties to designate industrial land banks. After those votes, the committee returned to testimony on HB 2141, heard additional support and opposition, and then adjourned without hearing all registered testifiers.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the area.
• Nobody in the area is in favor of it.
• of the area.
• Nobody in the area is in favor of it.
• Nobody in the area is in favor of it.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:24.800><c> So,</c> Colorado in the Front Range area.
• So, Colorado in the Front Range area.
• Chairman, Senator Gierau, there is quite a few federal funds that go towards expansion bonuses.
• </c><00:19:27.919><c> In</c><00:19:28.240><c> areas</c> that treatment as necessary.
• In areas that treatment as necessary.

Bills: HB0078, SF0012, SF0013, SF0052, SF0069, SF0070

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• It just stopped right there in that management area.
• </c> that management area. that management area. state<00:10:12.560><c> forestry</c><00:10:13.440><c>
• So there is other the area.
• </c> address an area that had higher slopes. address an area that had higher slopes.
• ,</c> Um the the silver culture in the area, Um the the silver culture in the area, the<00:36:35.359>

Bills: HB0078, SF0012, SF0013, SF0052, SF0069, SF0070

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, funding, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment, referral bonus, military service, eligibility expansion, incentive program, wildlife management, environmental restoration

Transcript Highlights:

• land from non-exempt wells in initial and subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas, or INAs.
• So right now there is no cap, so in irrigation non-expansion areas...
• There is no limit to the irrigation non-expansion areas?”
• “And what is that exactly, non-expansion areas? Irrigation non-expansion areas, if—is an INA.
• They’re not irrigation non-expansion area. Okay. And is it a county?

Bills: HB2024, HB2053, HB2097, HB2116, HB2117

Keywords: water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation

Bills: HB0122, SF0004, SF0012, SF0013, SF0067, SF0070, SF0124

Keywords: healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, Medicaid, emergency medical services, ground ambulance, healthcare funding, reimbursement rates, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> an expansion of Medicaid. an expansion of Medicaid.
• It does urban rates, does a 2% add-on for rural areas, and then does a 26% add-on for super rural areas
• It does urban rates, does a 2% add-on for rural areas, and then does a 26% add-on for super rural areas
• It does urban rates, does a 2% add-on for rural areas, and then does a 26% add-on for super rural areas
• It does urban rates, does a 2% add-on for rural areas, and then does a 26% add-on for super rural areas

Bills: HB0122, SF0004, SF0012, SF0013, SF0067, SF0070, SF0124

Keywords: healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, Medicaid, emergency medical services, ground ambulance, healthcare funding, reimbursement rates, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment

Bills: HB0122, SF0004, SF0012, SF0013, SF0067, SF0070, SF0124

Keywords: healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, Medicaid, emergency medical services, ground ambulance, healthcare funding, reimbursement rates, military, national guard, reenlistment, extension bonus, Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard, recruitment

Transcript Highlights:

• It's critical for Whiskey Mountain area.
• </c><00:14:25.440><c> So</c> area I think is really critical here.
• So area I think is really critical here. So with<00:14:25.760><c> that</c><00:14:25.920><c> Mr.
• Uh, it was just work in that exact area.
• An area that is nearly void of industry capacity yet faces significant management challenges.

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> study of all the aging irrigation study of all the aging irrigation infrastructure<00:02:35.599>
• We started down this path five years ago, right, with the irrigation infrastructure.
• </c><00:42:01.839><c> as</c> in Wyoming today and in other areas as in Wyoming today and in other areas
• </c><01:10:22.960><c> On</c> municipality or irrigation districts.
• On municipality or irrigation districts.

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• For urban areas.
• It's a northeast portion of the area, and it's an unincorporated Pima County area.
• It's a northeast portion of the area, and it's an unincorporated Pima County area.
• , but also some very wealthy areas within the service area.
• populated areas.

Bills: HB2042, HB2052, HB2055, HB2056, HB2094, HB2098, HB2185, HB2328, HB2758, HB2798

Keywords: solar radiation management, environment, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, public health, complaint process, Attorney General, groundwater management, water conservation, irrigation, water supply, brackish groundwater, water supply development, desalination, water infrastructure, financial assistance, environmental reviews, brackish water, groundwater, water resources

Transcript Highlights:

• We irrigate over 5,000 acres and have about 7,000 members.
• And Murphy Lake is very important to the economy of that area.
• Works Construction Fund is for irrigation.
• Works Construction Fund is for irrigation.
• I'm writing some notes as we go to the Irrigation Trust Fund.

Bills: SB193

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 193, which would increase the recurring transfer from the Irrigation Works Construction Fund to the Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund from $2.5 million to $5 million annually. The sponsor and supporters said the fund is the only recurring source for acequia infrastructure, helps complete projects efficiently through a planning/design and construction process, and has a strong completion rate. They also said the proposed increase reflects recent spending levels and growing need, especially after fires, flooding, and erosion damage in acequia communities. Public testimony was uniformly in support. Representatives of the New Mexico Acequia Association, local acequia and water users groups, conservation advocates, and community members described urgent infrastructure needs, the importance of acequias to agriculture and local economies, and the value of the fund’s application process and project readiness requirements. Several speakers said the fund helps communities recover from wildfire-related damage and prepare for future flooding and erosion. Committee members asked about how the money is structured, whether the bill would affect other earmarks or the irrigation fund balance, and how the $5 million figure was determined. Witnesses explained that the bill changes the recurring allocation only, that the acequia fund and other earmarks remain separate, and that the irrigation works fund has sufficient balance and recurring revenue to support the increase. They also noted that current annual spending has been in the $5 million to $6 million range and that the unmet statewide need is much larger. The committee voted do pass on SB 193, and the bill was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• We irrigate over 5,000 acres and have about 7,000 members.
• Murphy Lake is very important to the economy of that area.
• Works Construction Fund is for irrigation.
• Works Construction Fund is for irrigation.
• Works Construction Fund is for irrigation.

Bills: SB193

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, it wasn't just in the rural areas that the wolves were. And then I get laughs.
• right in any active management area, rather than an initial active management area, the right to annually
• We're basically updating this from the initial active management areas to include the new subsequent
• In the spirit of achieving consistency with our active management areas, I vote yes.
• In the spirit of achieving consistency with our active management areas, I vote yes.

Bills: SB1005, SB1202, SB1278, SB1279, SB1280, SB1287

Keywords: cosmetics, animal testing, prohibition, manufacturers, sales regulation, state preemption, groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, solar radiation management, environment, regulation, Arizona Revised Statutes, weather modification, licensing, environmental impact, public safety, cloud seeding

Transcript Highlights:

• , what Senate Bill 193 does is it proposes to amend language relating to the transfers from the irrigation
• least maybe double that, with other informal acequias, but in terms of this, with the ongoing need for areas
• like the fire and flood areas of both in San Miguel, Mora County, and Lincoln County, the whole intent
• In terms of this, with the ongoing need for areas like the fire and flood areas of both in San Miguel

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• That we have three sort of target population areas in our grant application.
• And even within those counties, there can be rural areas or professional shortage areas.
• And even within those urban counties, there can be rural areas or professional shortage areas.
• That was the full executive request for cybersecurity for non-recurring.
• So if we go back to 134, irrigation works and construction. 134 irrigation works, and construction fund

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• , what Senate Bill 193 does is it proposes to amend language relating to the transfers from the irrigation
• least maybe double that, with other informal acequias, but in terms of this, with the ongoing need for areas
• like the fire and flood areas of both San Miguel, Mora County, and Lincoln County, the whole intent

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee first heard Senate Bill 193, which would increase the transfer from the irrigation works construction fund to the acequia and community ditch infrastructure fund from $2.5 million to $5 million. Senator Campos said the bill was intended to provide additional resources for acequias facing ongoing needs, including fire and flood recovery in areas such as San Miguel, Mora, and Lincoln counties. Paula Garcia of the New Mexico Acequia Association testified in support. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 do-pass vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Senator Padilla with Department of Information Technology Secretary Manny Baca. The bill would modernize state IT planning by adding software to the equipment replacement framework and renaming the revolving fund to include software replacement and upgrades. Members discussed the need for more centralized purchasing and coordination across agencies, with Senator Woods expressing frustration that agencies often buy different software instead of using common systems. The bill received a 7-0 do-pass recommendation. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 35, and first adopted a committee substitute for discussion. The substitute combined two judicial district judgeship proposals for the First and Second Judicial Districts and removed an appropriation. The committee then approved the committee substitute on a 6-0 do-pass vote. Finally, Senate Bill 145 was tabled permanently after Senator Woods moved to table it, with the motion passing 6-1. The committee then adjourned and announced it would meet again Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• It, it is, uh, the property is in Armstrong Water Supply Corporation's CCN service area.
• Or suitable for residential, commercial, or other non-agricultural purpose.
• to irrigate the land and it's already been designated for another purpose.
• longer being irrigated.
• So when we applied the fifteen-mile buffer, a lot of the area got carved out.

Bills: HB 937, HB 2078, HB 2080, HB 3322, HB 3350, HB 4212, HB 4630, HB 4896, HB 4951, HB 5348, HB 5675, SB 565, SB 971, SB 1662, SB 2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility

Transcript Highlights:

• Queen City, the shallow wells up in the northern part in your area.
• Number one, that the land is not irrigable.
• irrigate the land and it's already been designated for another purpose.
• district for land that is no longer being irrigated.
• So when we applied the 15-mile buffer, a lot of the area got excluded.

Bills: HB937, HB2078, HB2080, HB3322, HB3350, HB4212, HB4630, HB4896, HB4951, HB5348, HB5675, SB565, SB971, SB1662, SB2124

Keywords: special districts, notice requirements, Water Code, government transparency, public meetings, meeting notice, transparency, public engagement, notice, elections, groundwater management, water conservation, joint planning, environmental impact, desired future conditions, groundwater, conservation district, environmental quality, regulatory review, water utility