Judith Zaffirini — Referenced as having previously noted the need for storage alternatives.
Judith Zaffirini — Judith Zaffirini is repeatedly addressed during the witness testimony, first in opening remarks and then in a follow-up exchange about whether the witness has sufficient resources and pathways to provide feedback to the relevant agencies. The discussion continues with a related reference to agency outreach and PFAS policy, keeping the focus on the witness’s ability to communicate with agencies and respond to policy concerns.
Judith Zaffirini — Judith Zaffirini is addressed as Vice Chair Zaffirini during the opening of testimony, with repeated references to her title in the same continuous exchange.
Judith Zaffirini — Judith Zaffirini is mentioned twice in quick succession as the speaker corrects how she is being addressed, first referring to her as Vice Chair Zaffirini and then correcting the address to 'Dean's Zaffirini,' indicating the same ongoing exchange about her title/name.
Judith Zaffirini — The speaker responds to a senator's question and thanks the Senator for the opportunity to expand on the topic.
Judith Zaffirini — Likely a mis-transcription of a senator being addressed in thanks; exact identity is uncertain.
Judith Zaffirini — Addressed as Vice Chair Zaffirini.
Judith Zaffirini — Addressed as Vice Chair Zaffirini.
Judith Zaffirini — O'Connor addressed Vice Chair Zaffirini in opening remarks; transcript misrendered her name as 'Zafarani.'
Judith Zaffirini — Mentioned as having carried the bill related to prescribed burn insurance; likely a transcription error for a senator not in the expected member list, so ID not assigned.
Judith Zaffirini — Addressed as Madam Vice Chair Zaffirini at the start of testimony.
Judith Zaffirini — Addressed Parks and Wildlife and asked about changes after the Bastrop State Park prescribed burn escape.
Judith Zaffirini — The chair thanked the witness and recognized Senator Cuse/Cues.
Judith Zaffirini — Recognized Senator Cues and the witness discussion about nighttime burning.
Judith Zaffirini — The witness addressed the Vice Chair, though the transcript misheard her name as 'Ms. Safferini.'
Judith Zaffirini — The witness addressed Vice Chair Zaffirini.
Judith Zaffirini — Multiple speakers briefly thank Vice Chair Judith Zaffirini, including a correction of her name in the transcript, with no substantive policy discussion beyond the acknowledgments.
Judith Zaffirini — Asks about equipment needs and state-level support for mitigation efforts.
Judith Zaffirini — Asks whether federal grant money is available and how state reimbursement works.
Judith Zaffirini — Asks how a dedicated fund could support HFD and local departments in mitigation efforts.
Judith Zaffirini — Asks about the department's biggest support need.
Judith Zaffirini — Addressed as Vice Chair Zaffirini.
Judith Zaffirini — Addressed as Vice Chair Zaffirini at the start of testimony.
César Blanco — César Blanco is directly thanked by the speaker, who then adds that Erin Gonzalez received her training with Senator Blanco, linking the acknowledgment to his mentorship or training role.
César Blanco — Senator César Blanco asked about the Railroad Commission’s role versus TCEQ’s role in beneficial reuse permitting, and the response directly addressed his question.
César Blanco — César Blanco is addressed in a discussion about the potential to transform produced water into a useful resource. He responds positively to the vision of turning the region lush and green, praises the Texas Produced Water Consortium, notes his oil and gas background, and asks whether the industry has finally reached the point where produced water can be effectively reused as a valuable product.
César Blanco — Is called on first and then defers to Dean Zaffirini.
César Blanco — Senator César Blanco is referenced briefly before taking the floor, then asks Director Keel about environmental uncertainty, protective safeguards, and the cumulative effects of produced water discharges in the same watershed.
César Blanco — The speaker references Senator Blanco's earlier point about starting with simpler uses before moving toward drinking-water standards.
César Blanco — Senator César Blanco is addressed in the exchange, then takes the floor and is thanked for his leadership and accessibility. The discussion continues by referring back to the scenarios and questions he raised earlier, with another speaker noting that Blanco had asked strong questions and had previously framed multiple scenarios in the conversation.
César Blanco — César Blanco followed up on earlier questions about modern technology and AI by asking whether the witness already operates in Texas, then pressed for details on who purchases, installs, and monitors the cameras. He concluded by emphasizing that in sparsely populated districts, this kind of technology can serve as a force multiplier, similar to its use in border security.
Carol Alvarado — Recognized by name and welcomed.
Carol Alvarado — Carol Alvarado thanked the agency team for their response to a fire in her district, then asked follow-up questions about the reported $30 million in fines or fees and what the penalties were for, including whether they were tied to air violations or specific facility types such as concrete batch plants.
Carol Alvarado — Senator Alvarado re-engages the panel and asks about the regulatory standard under the proposed rules.
Carol Alvarado — Huddleston thanks Senator Alvarado for her partnership and responsiveness to her community.
Tabitha Aditi — Introduced as staffing the senator for this committee.
Morgan Caffee — Introduced as the legislative director assisting on the committee.
Michael Covar Rubis — Introduced as general counsel assisting on the committee.
Jim Wright — Jim Wright is called to testify and then introduces himself, beginning his testimony as the current chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Jim Wright — Jim Wright, chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas, testifies that Texas urgently needs a clear, practical, and timely regulatory pathway for the beneficial reuse of treated produced water. He explains that underground injection capacity is tightening, so additional management options are needed, and argues that permit conditions must be safe, reliable, and economical to support energy markets and continued development in the Permian Basin. He notes that no final permit has yet been issued despite industry investment in research, testing, and treatment capability, and urges the legislature and TCEQ to finalize workable permits and land application rules as soon as possible. He closes by saying the Railroad Commission is ready to assist the legislature and answer questions.
Kelly Keel — Kelly Keel was called to testify as part of the agency leadership panel and then introduced herself as the executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Kelly Keel — Named as one of the invited witnesses.
Kelly Keel — Kelly Keel, executive director of TCEQ, provides an update on SB 1145 and the agency’s monitoring charge. She explains that TCEQ currently uses two permitting mechanisms for produced water: TPDES for discharges and the T-LAP program for land application. She notes that TCEQ is reviewing new discharge applications and that SB 1145 transferred land-application permitting authority from the Railroad Commission to TCEQ, creating a new state-only permitting program under Chapter 26 of the Water Code. Keel reports that several existing pilot projects have come to TCEQ to renew or amend permits and that the agency is evaluating seven T-LAP applications, with permits being site-specific and subject to comprehensive review. She adds that TCEQ is conducting rulemaking alongside the application process, has received extensive public comment, and will undertake a second rulemaking to update its MOU with the Railroad Commission. She emphasizes that applicants may still meet with TCEQ, that the agency is working with stakeholders and the Texas Produced Water Consortium, and that TCEQ also coordinates with EPA to ensure permits meet federal requirements.
Nick Orman — Called to testify as part of the agency leadership panel.
Nick Orman — Introduces himself as Deputy Director at the General Land Office and begins testimony on energy resources and permanent school fund minerals.
Kevin Sparks — Multiple speakers addressed Kevin Sparks as Chairman/Mr. Chairman in a brief, continuous exchange, with no substantive topic change beyond repeated greetings and direct address.
Kevin Sparks — Kevin Sparks addresses Chairman Wright and begins a brief question exchange, asking quick questions that lead into discussion of orphan wells and bankruptcy.
Kevin Sparks — Kevin Sparks is addressed repeatedly as Mr. Chairman during a continuous exchange in which the speaker thanks him, introduces a question for Mr. Ormond, and then transitions to the next question.
Kevin Sparks — Kevin Sparks is addressed as Mr. Chairman/Chairman Sparks while presiding over the committee, and he opens the witness portion of the meeting by inviting invited witnesses to testify and instructing them to introduce themselves before speaking.