Video & Transcript Research : 'public waters'
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AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- can experience that out in the water.
- This bill would require persons engaging in the business of cutting aquatic plants in public waters to
- Methods to ensure cut and uprooted plant matter is removed from these waters.
- Ill grass that is cut but not removed from the water floats in residential and public use areas and becomes
- You drag it out of the water when you cut it, right?
Keywords:
fishing, licensing, jubilee, Marine life, Alabama, regulations, HB212, aquatic plants, public waters, state waters, waterways, water management, aquatic vegetation, weed removal, vegetation control, lake management, river management, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House State Government Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
State Government
Keywords:
codification, state law, legal revisions, Alabama code, legislative updates, archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, catfish, transportation, public waters, criminal penalties, natural resources, education, public schools, constitution amendment, national anthem, weekly broadcast
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Feb 12th, 2025
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- We are going to give you all about two minutes each on the public testimony.
- I'll go back to Public Safety and tell you a little bit about the weight enforcement matters.
- Maybe they were using that for public access to get. ...were using that for public access to get to their
Keywords:
weight limits, trucking regulations, transportation, enforcement authority, portable scales, SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit
Transcript Highlights:
- So, all this bill does is take motorized vehicles out of the waters, not being able to... ...out of the
- waters, not being able to use motor scooters and all-terrain vehicles in the water.
Bills:
SB171
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- Basically, it requires that weeds that need to be cut by entrepreneurs now need to be removed from the water
- We have massive problems with our water lines.
- The location for the door and water is a minimum requirement for the shelters.
Keywords:
SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants, Class C misdemeanor, fine, water quality, invasive species, lakes
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 18th, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The problem is a navigable waterway is considered a public right-of-way, just like a road.
- conveyance, waters of the state.
- Senator Albritton, you and I represent an area that has a lot of water.
- So, of course, I do remember this bill and the public hearing that we... ...and the public hearing that
- And I'm going to wait and see, as the public will be waiting to see.
Keywords:
archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Sacrificing air quality, water quality, water quantity, groundwater quality, soil health, or any other
- Would it help speed up public engagement processes, or does it do the opposite?
- Then that land would be offered up for public sale because trust lands need to be offered at public sale
- Do a public auction without specific legislative direction.
- Is there anyone in the public who would like to testify?
Keywords:
HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and electronics produce risks to public and electronics produce risks to public safety,<00:11:48.399
- Uh, we're not going to be sacrificing air quality, water quality, water quantity, groundwater quality
- The bill before beach for public use.
- That is an essential water bodies.
- created an opportunity for public created an opportunity for public feedback<01:32:10.400>
at
Keywords:
HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- public water and it's that's out over a public water and it's shading<00:09:31.040>
the <00:09: - <00:09:34.080>
season, of just during the open water season, of just during the open water - <01:13:00.080>
and with the Minnesota Board of Water and with the Minnesota Board of Water - Even though the water permit was already in place, the water use never changed.
- the state where we already have water the state where we already have water concerns<01:42:11.280
Keywords:
boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit
Transcript Highlights:
- So, Father, we know water is important and manifestation of our lives.
- So father we know water<00:06:28.479>
is <00:06:28.720>important <00:06:29.520>and - c><00:06:29.680>
manifestation <00:06:31.039>of water is important and manifestation of - water is important and manifestation of our<00:06:31.520>
lives. - House Bill 38 by Chairman Brown relating to state waters.
Keywords:
district attorneys, prosecutorial function, law enforcement, criminal procedure, legal advice, paternity, putative father registry, adoption, legal rights, parental rights, HB181, Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority, bond authorization, state bonds, capital improvements, public buildings, State Capitol, renovation finance, public office facilities, infrastructure financing
TX
Keywords:
alternative fueling, grants, environment, public accessibility, transit authorities, scrap tires, tire dumping, illegal dumping, waste tire cleanup, environmental remediation, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, county grants, public education, enforcement, prosecution, right-of-way, coastal waters, inland waters, solid waste
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-04-16
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Hansen asked how much public money is spent each year on the Clean Water Fund.
- dollars on clean water of public money. dollars on clean water of public money.
- Public<01:09:19.719>
money. Public money. Public money. - So, we put more tile in and then we spend more public money trying to hold water on the land.
- water issue water quality issue. water issue water quality issue.
Keywords:
air pollution, lead emissions, continuous emissions monitoring system, CEMS, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, MPCA, environmental monitoring, emission compliance, air quality, public health, industrial pollution, permitted facility, residential exposure, toxic metals, emission limits, pollution control, stack monitoring, real-time emissions monitoring, natural resources, environment
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EEP Public Hearing - Thu Feb 5, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Energy & Environmental Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Public Utilities not present. Public Utilities Commission.
Resources <00:20:37.200>in Uh Darren Learner, Water Resources in Uh Darren Learner, Water- Have public access to support.
- federal Clean Water Act.
- eye on it and to to allow the public eye on it and to to allow the public utilities<00:59:53.119
Bills:
HB2245, HB1618, HB1985, HB2079, HB1921, HB2232, HB1567, HB1984, HB2608, HB2435, HB1623, HB1774
Keywords:
wastewater systems, denitrification, environment, pollution, coral reefs, nearshore waters, public health, shoreline regulations, cesspool conversion, cesspool replacement, wastewater, sewer connection, sewerage systems, septic system, pollution control, water pollution control revolving fund, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HGIA, low-interest loans, forgivable loans
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills related to cesspools, wastewater, and clean water protections. On HB 2245, which would require additional denitrification capacity in wastewater systems near shorelines, the Department of Health offered comments, DLNR supported the bill, and multiple environmental and ocean groups testified in strong support, emphasizing nitrogen pollution from cesspools, reef damage, and the need to prioritize shoreline systems. Testifiers said the bill should move forward, with technical issues such as GIS mapping to be worked out later. No member questions or votes were taken on this measure.
On HB 1985, concerning the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and accessible conversion loans for cesspool homeowners, HGI supported the bill and suggested making the program a revolving loan fund; DLNR and the Public Utilities Commission also supported it, while the Department of Health supported the concept. Committee discussion focused on program design, possible forgivable loans for low-income homeowners, and whether the program should be administered through existing infrastructure rather than a new procurement process. The committee then moved to HB 1985’s companion discussion on cesspool conversion outreach and deadline extensions, where DLNR and DOH supported outreach but DLNR and ocean advocates expressed reservations about extending deadlines, especially for financial hardship, saying that issue would need careful work.
The committee also heard testimony on HB 2079, which would reestablish the accessible upgrades inversion or connection income tax credit. The Department of Taxation raised administrative and fraud concerns about refundable credits, explaining that nonrefundable credits reduce tax debt while refundable credits can function like cash payments and require more oversight. DOH, DLNR, OPSD, counties, Hawaii Realtors, and environmental groups supported the bill, with one ocean coalition witness saying tax credits could help homeowners but grants would be preferable. Members asked about the difference between refundable credits and grants and about whether the credit would cover sewer connections versus individual wastewater systems. The committee then heard brief testimony on HB 1921, allowing certain priority-three cesspools to add a bedroom, with support from Hawaii Realtors and some other groups and no opposition discussion. HB 2232, preserving state water-quality protections at least as strong as the federal Clean Water Act, drew support from DOH and ocean advocates, with no questions. The committee also began hearing energy-related bills, including HB 1567 on energy equity and HB 1984 on self-certification for distributed energy resources, with a mix of support and some opposition or requested amendments, but no votes were taken in the portion provided.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-HHS, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-02-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:02:27.599>
We the Honolulu Border Water Supply. We the Honolulu Border Water Supply. - advisory committee and I'm the public advisory committee and I'm the public member<00:04:21.600>
- and our water resources.
- and our water resources.
- the water eventually goes to the ocean. the water eventually goes to the ocean.
Keywords:
fuel tank, environmental impact, groundwater, health and safety, military facilities, local communication, advisory committee, Hawaii legislation, PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, forever chemicals, toxic chemicals, environmental contamination, water pollution, drinking water, surface water, soil contamination, fish consumption, food safety, public health
Summary:
The joint Senate Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services hearing opened with SB 2093, which would require the fuel tank advisory committee to meet at least quarterly and provide funding. The Department of Health offered written testimony, and multiple supporters, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Sierra Club, and a public member of the advisory committee, said more frequent meetings were needed to keep Red Hill cleanup, water testing, and public engagement front and center. Senators asked about public participation and whether the bill should also require meetings outside business hours; testifiers urged at least one evening or weekend meeting to improve access. No vote was taken during the discussion shown.
The committee then heard SB 2095, creating a PFAS working group within the Department of Health to study PFAS and related chemicals and report to the Legislature. DOH supported the concept but requested amendments and funding, while the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity deferred to DOH. The Board of Water Supply supported the measure and asked to be included in the working group. Members asked about the bill’s reference to “other residuals,” and DOH explained it could refer to remaining PFAS components in soil, water, or other media. The discussion emphasized the widespread and long-lasting nature of PFAS contamination.
Next, the committee considered SB 2046 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill-related cleanup. DOH and the Board of Water Supply testified, and a long list of community and environmental groups supported the bill. Testifiers argued the Navy caused the problem and should be held accountable for cleanup, while one witness said the bill was necessary because the Navy had delayed meaningful remediation. Senators asked whether the bill’s “large landowner” language could include the state or counties under existing statutes; DOH said it would check and later explained that cleanup responsibility generally falls first on the responsible party, then on large landowners if no responsible party exists, with the Navy currently understood to own Red Hill.
The hearing then moved to SB 2096 on wastewater management, which the Department of Land and Natural Resources supported, noting PFAS can harm marine resources, and DOH’s wastewater branch offered comments. SB 2127 on water pollution drew support from Agra Business Development Corporation and opposition from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others. The main debate centered on runoff, NPDES permitting, and whether the bill could unfairly affect agricultural and public entities; senators and witnesses discussed how heavy rainfall, cesspools, and mixed land uses complicate responsibility and compliance. The transcript ends with the committee still in discussion on SB 2127, with no final votes or actions shown in the excerpt.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- We've had a public hearing requested on Representative England's house...
Keywords:
vaccination, parental consent, minors, medical consent, guardian approval, sex offender, employment, first responder, childcare, public safety, juvenile protection, emergency orders, child custody, court authority, abuse and neglect, firearm possession, law enforcement, criminal penalty, concealed carry, Alabama law
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So being public facilities, the general public has the ability to do TPIA requests on airport matters
- , or the public can access that information.
- That is open for the public to see my personal transactions.
- You're saying the public can access our login credentials for that?
- This is a public school? This is a public school? Public school I went to? Yes. Yes. Yes, sir.
Bills:
HB2007, HB2863, HB2921, HB3331, HB3332, HJR144, HB3514, HB3528, HB3720, HB3751, HB3859, HB3947, HB4148, HB4346, HB4880, HB5603, HB4337
Keywords:
commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, vehicle title, revocation, hearing process, Transportation Code, county assessor-collector, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, vehicle regulation, transportation, steel industry, state fees, safety standards
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- That is all the public testimony. Is there debate on the bill?
- But regardless of which of these water safety features... ...the water.
- one water safety feature to comply.
- Water is everywhere.
- For a city that provides water services across multiple jurisdictions, requiring separate annual public
Keywords:
negligence, compensation, child welfare, law enforcement accountability, personal injury, police negligence, law enforcement, monetary compensation, civil rights, city liability, electric vehicle, EV, battery fire, lithium-ion battery, towing, wrecker service, vehicle storage, submerged vehicle, saltwater damage, fire marshal
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills focused on water safety, utilities, housing, transparency, and claims relief. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was presented as a follow-up to prior water-quality legislation and reported favorably with one support waiver. SB 28, a claims bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, was also reported favorably. CS/SB 658, a bipartisan child-drowning prevention bill for rental properties, drew extensive testimony from child advocacy and drowning-prevention groups in strong support; amendments required rental license applicants to certify compliance and removed local-government add-on authority, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 18, a claims bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, prompted questions about settlement and responsibility but was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from a waiver form.
Several utility and infrastructure measures were considered. CS/SB 1724 would regulate municipal utility service outside city limits, limit revenue transfers, require public meetings, and cap rate differences; an amendment added gas utilities, and the bill was reported favorably after testimony from municipal utility representatives and small-county advocates. CS/SB 1014 would require municipal utilities to extend water and wastewater service to certain nearby residential properties without conditioning service on annexation; an amendment narrowed the bill to residential uses and clarified capacity and grandfathering provisions, and it passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 would allow local infrastructure surtax revenue to fund body camera programs, with an amendment making the surtax authorization prospective and requiring a new referendum; it was reported favorably. CS/SB 260 on electric-vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to focus on storage only and to tie the higher fee to the period before fire-risk inspection, then reported favorably after testimony from insurers, fire officials, and EV industry representatives.
The committee also advanced education, housing, and ethics-related bills. SB 1264 would ease zoning and code barriers for small private schools and micro-schools, with supporters arguing it would expand school choice and opponents raising implementation concerns; it was reported favorably. SB 934 on Florida Keys areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a tax-exemption section that conflicted with the Live Local Act, then reported favorably. SB 1622 would provide a one-time waiver of late financial-disclosure fines under specified conditions and was reported favorably. Finally, CS/SB 1566 on local government spending and transparency required online posting of budgets and related materials, and an amendment added utility revenue reinvestment and other changes while removing DEI spending restrictions; the bill drew support for transparency but concern from small cities and counties about cost and workload, and it was reported favorably. The meeting ended with adjournment after senators recorded votes on selected bills.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Jan 13th, 2026
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And again, members, Senate Bill 848 is a bill that is looking at how water quality enhancement areas
- and water quality improvement is working throughout the state.
- Land ownership by the public, for the public, with public transparency.
- Land ownership by the public, for the public, with public transparency, is clearly important, especially
- Florida parks. park planning reflects both environmental stewardship and public interests.
Keywords:
golf courses, best management practices, fertilizer regulation, Department of Agriculture, environmental protection, certification, beach management, beach erosion, beach nourishment, coastal resilience, shoreline protection, critical erosion, critically eroded beach, Florida DEP, Department of Environmental Protection, coastal flooding, compound flooding, storm surge, inlet management, coastal engineering
Summary:
The Environment and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. SB 636 on beach management, by Senator Leek, would create additional pathways for counties and municipalities to obtain critically eroded beach or area of critical state concern designations, shifting the process toward a more proactive approach. Senator Smith and Senator Harrell raised concerns about local capacity and funding, and the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association said the bill was an alternative pathway but emphasized the need for more recurring funding. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 544, which transfers the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Program from DEP to FDACS and establishes certification and training standards there. Senator Smith and Senator Harrell asked about environmental oversight, taxation, and whether the change would affect state park restrictions; the sponsor said it would not change tax treatment or park rules and that DEP would still handle enforcement if BMPs are not followed. The Florida Springs Council opposed the bill, arguing golf courses are not agriculture and warning of weaker protections for springs, while the Florida Golf Course Superintendent's Association supported the move as a continuity and participation measure. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported the bill favorably, with Senator Smith voting no.
SB 848 on stormwater treatment, also by Senator Trunow, was amended to clarify the role of water quality enhancement areas while stormwater rules are still being finalized and to make public-land project review forward-looking. Resource Environmental Solutions supported the amendment and bill as providing a clearer market for water quality credits, and the Florida Home Builders Association supported the measure. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 546 by Vice Chair Mayfield would require 30-day public notice before meetings reviewing the sale or exchange of state conservation lands, including at water management districts; after a technical amendment, it received support from conservation groups and was reported favorably.
The committee also received a DEP presentation on the State Park Amenities Report, which said Florida’s 175 state parks drew over 28 million visitors and generated a $3.6 billion economic impact. DEP identified nearly $759 million in needed repairs and upgrades over 10 years and $1.39 billion in contemplated new construction and development in unit management plans. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- filings and the transfer of the ownership to our entity as opposed to where it exists in kind of the public
- Well, because I, it, it, it's, it's, it's, uh, uh, what we're concerned about is it gets in the public
- We're not scheduled to have public testimony today, OK, OK, and so, um, Just the committee can do that
Bills:
HB 2007, HB 2462, HB 2621, HB 2921, HB 3187, HB 3331, HB 3332, HJR 144, HB 3514, HB 3528, HB 3539, HB 3563, HB 3720, HB 3726, HB 3751, HB 3859, HB 3947, HB 4148, HB 4164, HB 4337, HB 4346, HB 4368, HB 4706, HB 4916, HB 4950, HB 4967, HB 5177, HB 5603
Keywords:
commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, regional transportation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- UCC filings and the transfer of the ownership to our entity, as opposed to where it exists in the public
- Well, because what we're concerned about is it gets in the public domain and it represents, you know,
- We're not scheduled to have public testimony today.
Bills:
HB2007, HB2462, HB2621, HB2921, HB3187, HB3331, HB3332, HJR144, HB3514, HB3528, HB3539, HB3563, HB3720, HB3726, HB3751, HB3859, HB3947, HB4148, HB4164, HB4337, HB4346, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB5603
Keywords:
commercial signs, county approval, transportation code, regulations, road signage, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, confidentiality, personal information, local government, airport data, public records, regional transportation