Transcript Highlights:

• Snowpack augmentation. Thank you. Thank you. So as we know, do we have people signed up?
• We're talking about snowpack. And as you know, snow melts faster, slower than...
• It’s one thing to have snowpack, but we’re...
• And then the kind of headline grabber, the Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund.
• The first is the Axiona-Fengate Water Augmentation Alliance.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The augmentation never happened.
• I also am the Secretary-Treasurer for PICWA, the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority.
• It allows the Pinal County Augmentation Authority to actually bond and go help find Augmentation Authority
• WIFA is currently conducting both an out-of-state and an in-state augmentation process.
• water augmentation projects you may have to sacrifice or be Water augmentation projects, you may have

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:

• water supply development as it pertains to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority to include snowpack
• augmentation pursuant to existing weather modification statute and adds a definition augmentation pursuant
• Snowpack augmentation adds to the eligible water supply development projects.
• Snowpack augmentation produces 40 times more water per unit than rainfall augmentation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting covered a long list of House bills, mostly on third-read consent calendars, spanning appropriations, elections, education, public safety, water, taxation, and criminal law. Early discussion focused on HB 2148, which would give the legislature authority to appropriate non-custodial federal funds, described by the sponsor as a transparency measure. Other measures discussed included HB 2091 on insurance-related assessment limits, HB 2122 on reciprocity for BTR-related professions, HB 2138 clarifying firefighter workers’ compensation coverage, and HB 2008 barring public school libraries from using public money to pay library professional associations. HB 2110, removed from consent, would allow school governing body members to pray at meetings, with members noting Supreme Court precedent supporting such prayer. Several bills addressed school safety and parental rights. HB 2142 would create a School Safety Center at the Arizona Department of Education and allow up to 10% of school safety program funds for administration, with supporters citing an audit and lack of oversight. HB 2249 would expand the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require notice if a school employee facilitates social transitioning of a minor and to provide broader access to educational records, with penalties discussed for violations. HB 2074 would add mandatory reporting for anyone in a medical facility who knows a partial-birth abortion is occurring, and HB 2144 would allow child support calculations to begin during pregnancy based on a confirmed pregnancy test and related DNA testing provisions. The committee also took up election-related measures. HB 2022 would make permanent changes tied to the federal Electoral Count Act, including moving Arizona’s primary earlier to preserve military and overseas voting access, while keeping petition dates valid and preserving existing deadlines for candidates. HCM 2001 urged federal designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, and HCM 2002 supported a separate congressional effort involving CARE and related federal review and designation processes; members debated the distinction between direct designation and a request for federal investigation. HCR 2001 proposed a constitutional amendment to limit voting to U.S. citizens, require government ID to register, prohibit foreign contributions, and end early voting by the Friday before an election. Water, land use, and tax bills were also reviewed. Measures included HB 2024 on snowpack augmentation as a water supply development project, HB 2029 and HB 2030 tightening how Water Conservation Grant Fund money is used, HB 2053 appropriating $100,000 for updated stormwater recharge mapping, HB 2096 expanding revolving fund uses to address cesspools, HB 2097 capping groundwater withdrawal in irrigation non-expansion areas, and HB 2116 funding potential Colorado River litigation. On the tax side, HB 2016 would remove late-filing penalties when no tax is due, HB 2104 and HB 2105 would protect agricultural property owners from repeated reclassification and require notice of inspections, and HB 2289 would update truth-in-taxation examples to reflect higher home values. The committee also heard bills on criminal penalties and other matters, including HB 2043 on felony murder involving an unborn child, HB 2045 on discharging a weapon near a vehicle, HB 2131 and HB 2132 on weapons trafficking and fentanyl penalties, and HB 2062 authorizing a Buffalo Soldiers memorial in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, House Bill 2098 modifies requirements for county water augmentation authorities relating
• The bill also allows county water augmentation authorities to enter into a loan repayment agreement with
• Cheyenne Walsh here on behalf of the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority, or PICWA, in support
• The goal is to be prepared for future augmentation opportunities in the Pinal AMA.
• The goal is to be prepared for future augmentation opportunities in the Pinal AMA.

Bills: HB2013, HB2026, HB2056, HB2098, HB2113, HB2156, HB2158, HCM2011, HCR2057

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2024 effectively allows monies in the WIFA Long-Term Water Augmentation Fund and the Water
• Supply Development Revolving Fund to be used for projects for snowpack augmentation.
• Relevant revolving fund to be used for projects for snowpack augmentation, and with that I'm happy to

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2. A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates. The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because that is our traditional peak for California snowpack.
• We had a March that was a full three and a half degrees warmer than normal, and all of that snowpack
• We had about 60% of snowpack on April 1st, but then it was really by Memorial Day that we had nothing
• So the BCP, or the budget change proposal, that is before you is to essentially augment the resources
• We need data on our biggest natural reservoir and how to better manage that—our snowpack.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• advance development of water and water resources in the state is extremely beneficial, and if we can augment
• that snowpack, especially on a year like this, that is certainly very important to do.
• that snowpack, especially on a year like this, that is certainly very important to do.
• that snowpack, especially on a year like this, that is certainly very important to do.
• And if we can augment that snowpack, especially on a year like this, that is certainly very important

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 for snowpack augmentation authorization only. 100% of the funding for the project must come from
• It's for snowpack that to you.
• It's for snowpack augmentation<00:31:54.399> authorization<00:31:55.279> only.
• The rest of the states in the Colorado River Basin are doing cloud seeding and augmentation for snowpack
• seating and augmentation for snowpack. seating and augmentation for snowpack.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, wildfires are more frequent from increasing temperatures, and the changing—like less snowpack
• The first part of the SAO Recommendation No. 1 suggests augmenting the GMA guidance on vulnerability

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee I-900 Subcommittee heard JLARC’s annual update on the status of legislative implementation of State Auditor recommendations, followed by two State Auditor performance audits. JLARC staff reported that for the 2024 review period there were three new legislative recommendations and three unresolved older recommendations. They said the legislature did not convene a work group on civil asset forfeiture, and no formal action was taken on two water-use-efficiency recommendations. Two recommendations related to concurrent Medicaid enrollments were addressed in a bill introduced this session, but that bill was not adopted. The first audit examined how Washington can ensure climate-resilient electricity infrastructure. The State Auditor found the state has opportunities to better adapt new energy infrastructure by using more site-specific climate information, broader collaboration, and vulnerability assessments. The report recommended expanding climate analyses through the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group if funding is available, using forecasted information in DNR wildfire maps, designating a non-regulatory office to coordinate siting and conflict resolution, and expanding vulnerability assessments in Ecology and Commerce processes. Agency witnesses generally agreed resilience is important but emphasized existing efforts, the need to avoid duplicative requirements, the importance of affordability and efficiency, and the role of current forums such as the Clean Energy Siting Council and SEPA processes. The second audit reviewed fines for human trafficking and related sexual exploitation crimes. Auditors found courts assessed fines inconsistently, collection rates varied, some revenues were sent to the wrong local government, and some jurisdictions did not use the money as required for enforcement, prevention, or survivor services. The audit recommended courts work with prosecutors to improve awareness of mandatory fines, and that King and Pierce County improve coding, templates, and tracking so revenues are routed and used correctly. King County testified that it appreciated the audit and described its existing prevention and survivor-support work. The committee took no votes or formal actions and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a mid-March late snowpack, or later snowpack, which was helpful for reaching our peak snowpack
• You know, there's a lot of talk about snowpack, but most of the snowpack goes out to sea.
• We still have some snowpack. The snowpack is not zero. So there's going to be additional water.
• We still have some snowpack. The snowpack is not zero. So there's going to be additional water.
• Well, the reservoir, once you get the snowpack melted, by the time you get the snowpack...

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year, with the vote appearing unanimous. After a brief discussion about who would chair the rest of the meeting, the committee proceeded to its regular agenda focused on the 2026 drought situation in Washington. The Washington state climatologist, Karen Mbacca, and Department of Ecology drought staff presented data showing a statewide drought declaration issued April 8 due to very low snowpack, warm winter temperatures, and resulting water supply concerns. They described the state’s statutory drought criteria, current reservoir and streamflow conditions, Yakima Basin water supply forecasts, likely summer temperature and precipitation outlooks, and the possibility of an El Niño developing later in the year. Ecology said the declaration makes $3 million in drought response grants available and allows expedited water transfer processing, and staff said they are already hearing concerns about impacts to agriculture, fish, and drinking water systems. Committee members discussed the need for longer-term drought preparedness, possible legislative tools, and whether additional funding or reservoir/storage strategies should be considered. Rep. Dent and others asked about available grant money and future mitigation planning, while Ecology said it is open to working with the legislature and stakeholders on resilience measures. The committee then heard a contrasting presentation from Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington, who argued there is no current drought emergency because reservoirs are full, precipitation and soil moisture are near or above normal in many areas, and agriculture is performing well; he said the state’s drought declaration is not justified by current conditions. Members questioned him about reservoir capacity, drought definitions, and forecasts, and the meeting ended with several members thanking departing legislators and noting the importance of continued water planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• That mid-March snowpack was helpful for reaching our peak snowpack.
• The snowpack is below normal. Okay.
• You know, there's a lot of talk about snowpack, but most of the snowpack goes out to sea.
• We still have some snowpack. The snowpack is not zero, so there's going to be additional water.
• Well, the reservoir, once you get the snowpack melted, by the time you get the snowpack...

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first elected Rep. Reeves as chair and Rep. Dent as vice chair for the coming year by unanimous voice vote. Rep. Reeves then continued chairing the meeting after noting he would need to leave early, and the committee moved to its regular agenda on drought conditions in Washington. The first major presentation came from the state climatology office and the Department of Ecology on the 2026 statewide drought declaration. They described an unusually warm winter, low spring snowpack, and forecast above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation for parts of the summer. Ecology said the declaration was based on Washington’s statutory drought criteria of reduced water supply and expected hardship, and that impacts were already being seen or anticipated for agriculture, fish, and some drinking water systems, especially in the Yakima Basin. Ecology also noted the drought response grant account had $3 million available, and that the declaration allows expedited water transfer processing and emergency response grants. Committee members asked about funding, preparedness, and longer-term drought planning. Rep. Dent and others urged Ecology to work with the Legislature on broader mitigation strategies, including possible future legislative tools, funding needs, and reservoir or storage solutions. Ecology staff said they were open to continued collaboration and noted recurring drought has highlighted the need for more preparedness funding and resilience planning. Dr. Cliff Mass of the University of Washington then gave a contrasting presentation, arguing that Washington was not in a drought emergency because reservoirs were full, precipitation was near or above normal in many areas, soil moisture was adequate, and agriculture was performing well. He said the low snowpack would not create a serious water shortage this year and urged the state to drop the drought emergency declaration. Committee members questioned him about reservoir capacity, state drought definitions, and forecast uncertainty. The meeting ended with several members thanking outgoing chair Sen. Warnick for her service and reflecting on future drought meetings and water issues in the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a fast-melting snowpack in 2023, an even lower snowpack in 2024, low snowpack this year, and on
• And as Karen laid out, snowpack is important, as in normal years, snowpack will gradually melt to make
• And as Karen laid out, snowpack is important, as in normal years, snowpack will gradually melt to make
• And as we're talking about snowpack, all snowpack data is federal data.
• And as we're talking about snowpack, all snowpack data is federal data.

Summary: The committee heard first from Deputy State Climatologist Karen Bumbacco, who reviewed the weather and snowpack conditions that contributed to Washington’s 2025 drought. She said the state had a very warm and dry water year, with April through September ranking among the warmest and driest periods on record, and that three straight years of below-normal snowpack and precipitation had compounded drought impacts, especially in the Yakima Basin. She also explained that a weak La Niña could bring a wetter-than-normal winter, though temperature forecasts were less certain, and noted that long-term climate projections point to continued snowpack decline and earlier runoff timing. Department of Ecology staff Rea Burns and Caroline Melor then described the state’s drought declaration process and response. They said Washington’s statutory drought threshold is less than 75% of normal water supply plus a hardship finding, and that Ecology extended the Yakima drought declaration in April and expanded it statewide in June. They discussed reliance on federal monitoring data and staffing at NRCS, USGS, Reclamation, and NOAA, and said federal staffing and funding instability has created concerns for snowpack and water data. They also reviewed drought response funding, noting that grants have supported projects in the Yakima and Dungeness basins and that the drought emergency account still has a balance available for current needs. Burns gave a detailed update on the Yakima Basin, saying it experienced unprecedented conditions this year, including nearly empty reservoirs, curtailment orders sent to about 1,500 water users, and the first time even the most senior 1855 surface water rights were turned off. She said widespread compliance occurred, though the process exposed areas for improvement, especially coordination with federal partners. Committee members asked about the long-term basis for climate projections, the 75% drought threshold, federal impacts, drought insurance, reservoir storage, and whether the state should consider more drought funding or new storage projects. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• have that from a response, we currently have Texas Emergency Management here in our EOC helping to augment
• actually come in and identify those areas that are not being addressed, and have the ability to help augment
• It's where the snowpack accumulates, and when it's exposed full On in burned areas to solar radiation
• , we lose a lot of our snowpack to sublimation And so I hope that's a clear enough answer that it's not

Transcript Highlights:

• we've had to not get allotments for the Carlsbad Irrigation District, and they've had to do some augmentation
• that question. not get allotments for the Carlsbad irrigation district and they've had to do some augmentation
• And like I agree with Representative Ereda, we do see these disappearing snowpacks and the shrinking
• You know, not a lot of snowpack on the mountains right now, and I really do share Representative that

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had low average snowpack and recoup. And we already have done time.
• So this one shows our snowpack.
• So we're kind of on the same page as last year as snowpack, even a little bit more, but it came off a
• So this one shows our snowpack.
• On the last slide, snowpack came up a little faster. Is there any reason for that?

Summary: The Joint Committee on Water Supply During Drought opened its 2025 meeting by electing new leadership. After brief discussion of the committee’s membership and the usual practice of alternating leadership between chambers and parties, members unanimously elected Senator Ron Mazzal as chair and Representative Christine Reeves as vice chair. The outgoing chair, Representative Ybarra, continued presiding for the remainder of the meeting at Senator Mazzal’s request. The committee then heard a presentation from Sage Park of the Rosa Irrigation District on the severe 2025 water year. Park said Rosa is facing very low reservoir levels, declining water supply forecasts, and an earlier-than-planned end to the irrigation season. She described the district’s conservation and drought response measures, including canal shutdowns, pump-backs, leased water, on-farm fallowing and water pooling, emergency well permits, and long-term investments in piping, sealant, drip irrigation, and storage. Park also urged continued emergency drought funding, more efficient state lease funding processes, and support for water releases that benefit fish during drought conditions. Urban Eberhard then presented on the Kittitas Reclamation District and the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan. He described widespread on-farm conservation, reduced acre allocations, early shutoffs expected in late summer, and ongoing infrastructure work such as piping, lining, telemetry, and the Springwood reservoir project. He emphasized that these projects are intended to improve water delivery, support fish flows, and provide future storage, including possible hydroelectric generation as part of feasibility work. In response to a question, he said the districts are monitoring aquifer impacts from canal lining and are working on managed aquifer recharge to direct conserved water to beneficial groundwater areas. No additional votes or formal actions were taken after the leadership elections.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have comments on specific budget augmentations not related to the departments before us, please
• So, that $183 million will go to continue to augment the work of the board to ensure that work continues
• the entirety of the state was experiencing large amounts of precipitation, with over 200 percent snowpack

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got, we used to get a lot of our water from melted snowpack.
• more nimble in capturing that water along the way because of the lessening of what we get from the snowpack
• We used to get a lot of our water from melted snowpack.
• more nimble in capturing that water along the way because of the lessening of what we get from the snowpack

Summary: The committee heard three water- and environment-related bills. AB 1663, by Assembly Member Wallace, would provide relief for high desert homeowners by allowing permits without mitigation fees for removing or trimming up to 10 Western Joshua trees for health and safety needs, including defensible space. Support came from the California Association of Realtors and the Community Water Systems Alliance, and members discussed balancing conservation with property maintenance. The bill was moved out of committee on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations. AB 1772, by Assembly Member Papin, sought to create a statewide framework to prevent the spread of golden mussels through watercraft decontamination standards, reciprocity for certifications, and long-term funding. Testimony in support highlighted Lake Tahoe’s invasive species prevention program as a model, while Recreational Boaters of California expressed caution about funding fairness, reciprocity, and how the system would work if infestations become widespread. After discussion about mandatory decontamination standards and funding, the bill was also passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 2521, also by Assembly Member Papin, would use a watershed-wide water availability analysis from the California Council of Science and Technology to help streamline groundwater recharge permitting and reduce applicant costs. Members raised concerns about protecting existing water rights and ensuring stakeholder input, and the author emphasized the study would be informational rather than binding. The bill passed to Appropriations, and the committee later took add-on votes confirming passage of AB 1663, AB 1772, and AB 2521.

Transcript Highlights:

• division disclosure, recording, land, agriculture, and rural affairs; 2024, water supply development, snowpack
• radiation; 2098, risk of the maximum, natural resources, energy and water; 2099, county water augmentation

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• restoring the source of Wyoming's water, specifically managing Wyoming's biggest reservoir, our snowpack
• restoring the source of Wyoming's water, specifically managing Wyoming's biggest reservoir, our snowpack
• Wyoming's water, specifically managing Wyoming's biggest reservoir, our snowpack, is an increasingly
• I think, um, it came out of select water for the snowpack and thinking about how we can do exactly what
• we're talking about: forest health, having thinning, holding that snowpack, because if we have a wildfire

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• more disconnected from the surface, it arguably is not system water and could potentially be used to augment
• potentially<00:56:03.760> be<00:56:03.920> used<00:56:04.079> to<00:56:04.240> augment
• <00:56:04.720> the potentially be used to augment the potentially be used to augment the system
• 01:10:58.960> No<01:10:59.199> one's<01:10:59.440> getting<01:10:59.760> snowpacked
• No one's getting snowpacked. struggling. No one's getting snowpacked.

Keywords: 916, all