Video & Transcript DataContr Research : 'dams'
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TX
Keywords:
dams, reservoirs, erosion control, flood control, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, permit exemption, environmental regulation, permit exemption, erosion control, floodwater management, sediment control, local government, flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, disaster preparedness
Summary:
The meeting convened with discussions predominantly focused on legislative motions and updates. There were significant discussions led by various senators, including proceedings on the agenda items with motions for adjournment and future considerations. Notably, two motions were read into the record, and no objections were raised during the adjourning process. Members expressed a willingness to reconvene, emphasizing the importance of receiving committee reports before the next session. The presence of all members and their engagement reflects a strong commitment to legislative responsibilities.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous decision to adjourn until August 12th. This highlights the procedural nature of Senate meetings and the emphasis on maintaining order and structure through established parliamentary procedures. The atmosphere was professional, with all members present and contributing to a constructive environment for decision-making.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- is that if there's a release, they've got a dam downstream siren that's blaring away saying there's
- Some of the dams are more than 60 years old and need maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair.
- Usual permitting To maintain dam structures is a long and
- the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams
- the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams
Keywords:
dams, reservoirs, erosion control, flood control, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, permit exemption, environmental regulation, permit exemption, erosion control, floodwater management, sediment control, local government, flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, disaster preparedness
Summary:
The meeting of the legislative committee prominently featured discussions surrounding several critical bills, including SB1, which addresses natural disasters and emergency preparedness in Texas. Senator Perry presented detailed amendments focusing on enhancing the state's response capabilities to flooding, which included the establishment of better training protocols for first responders and the development of a statewide flood monitoring system. Public testimony was actively solicited, with multiple witnesses providing input regarding the implications of SB1, highlighting the need for comprehensive disaster management strategies following recent floods that impacted the community severely. Additionally, considerable dialogue took place around SB6, relating to abortion-related civil liabilities, where senators debated the bill's implications on women's health and wellness in Texas, leading to contentious voting results and reflections on the bill's social impact.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Feb 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So we run the dam safety program, which monitors and regulates private and public dams in Texas.
- These privately located earthen dams provide over 600 million in annual benefits.
- There are multiple classes of dams and different people responsible for each dam, so when you go down
- But those dams are our responsibility as a state.
- But they're the cheapest dams I’ve got, and you're messing with my supply plan now.
Keywords:
Texas water management, conservation, Oyster Mariculture Program, biosecurity, legislative priorities, agricultural suicide hotline
Summary:
The meeting, led by Chairwoman L'Oreal Stepney, covered several crucial topics focusing on Texas water management and the associated legislative priorities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) presented its initiatives including the implementation of a 50-hour workweek for Texas Game Wardens, the Cultivated Oyster Mariculture Program, and enhanced funding requests aimed at improving water infrastructure and conservation efforts. Notably, discussions centered around the integration of innovative practices in oyster farming to ensure sustainability and boost coastal resources. Chairwoman Stepney also highlighted the need for improved infrastructure to address water quality and supply challenges given Texas's growing population demands.
In addition to water management, there was a significant emphasis on expanding the biosecurity program to combat recent agricultural threats and the establishment of a suicide hotline for farmers, reflecting the committee's commitment towards the well-being of agricultural stakeholders. The meeting concluded with a strong sense of collaboration among committee members and commitments to addressing the pressing needs concerning water resources, conservation, and agricultural safety in Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- if it is a federally funded dam.
- development of the existing dams.
- There are some structures that you would consider a dam.
- There were 13 of those diversion dams in that area.
- Did we fund any of these dams in the current base budget?
Bills:
SB1
Keywords:
appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, water infrastructure, Railroad Commission, Senate Bill 30, Senate Bill 8, budget recommendations, public testimony, water funding, climate change, dedicated revenue stream
Summary:
The meeting included a comprehensive discussion on various upcoming budget recommendations impacting the Railroad Commission and water funding allocations. Significant dialogue focused on Senate Bill 30, which addresses water funding appropriations crucial for developing and maintaining the state's water infrastructure amidst growing demand. Testimonies from various stakeholders emphasized the urgency of addressing water resource issues in Texas, given the state's increasing population and the forthcoming infrastructure needs. Additionally, climate change impacts and funding challenges were heavily underscored by the participants, showcasing a collective concern over future water supply and management.
The committee also reviewed the implications of Senate Bill 8 and Senate Joint Resolution 75 regarding the creation of new funds and programs for water management and development. Importantly, the potential for a dedicated revenue stream was raised, echoing the sentiment that a historic investment in water infrastructure is critical. The meeting adjourned with plans for a follow-up to further evaluate and confirm budget appropriations, reflecting a strong commitment to tackle Texas's pressing water challenges.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Aug 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of the dams are more than 60 feet deep.
- discussions, there are a whole lot of dams in Texas.
- The answer is not a private dam, but these dams are a lot like the private dams and very seldom get confused
- It's actually an earthen dam created back in the day.
- Downstream of the dams on the Highland Lakes, we do have sirens.
Keywords:
disaster response, Senate Bill 1, Senate Bill 2, flood management, water conservation, public safety, training and education, emergency management
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on several critical bills related to disaster response and water conservation. Senate Bill 1, the Natural Disaster Omnibus Bill, was extensively discussed, with testimonies reflecting on recent flooding incidents in Texas. Senator Perry emphasized the need for policy solutions to prevent future tragedies following historic flooding that resulted in significant loss of life. The committee adopted the committee substitutes for both SB1 and SB13 without objection, highlighting the broad support for these initiatives aimed at water conservation and improved emergency response protocols. Additionally, members expressed the importance of training and educating officials involved in disaster management to ensure they are equipped to handle emergencies effectively.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 23rd, 2025 at 09:07 am
House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- There are 2,200 earthen dams in this state.
- They don't specifically identify those dams.
- They are water supply dams and a couple of recreational dams. That'd be like Ingram Dam? Yes. Yes.
- Because of that, our dam infrastructure has to be maintained and kept in a dam-ready position.
- Again, we have those six dams.
Keywords:
flood management, Senate Bill 8, flood infrastructure fund, emergency response, public safety, regional planning, Texas floods
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on flood management and response strategies following the recent devastating floods in Texas. Notably, discussions centered around the creation of a flood infrastructure fund and Senate Bill 8, which aims to improve regional flood planning processes. Several experts provided insights into the challenges faced during the floods, including communication barriers, emergency response efforts, and the need for better coordination among local and state agencies. Public sentiments were shared regarding the necessity for improved flood prevention measures, conservation plans, and the expansion of existing infrastructure to cope with future climatic challenges.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a lot of talk before about dams, illegal dams, and damming up.
- TCEQ is responsible or involved with illegal dams versus
- The illegal dams, you know, I don't know how they're found
- Illegal dams would be... or we certainly would go out if
- We've talked about MUDs, we've talked about dams, and we've talked about fine and coarse particulate
Keywords:
TCEQ, MUDs, Municipal Utility Districts, legislative control, environmental regulation, infrastructure, community concerns, transparency, growth management
Summary:
The meeting focused on discussions regarding the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) oversight and regulations concerning Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs). Several members expressed concerns about the rapid growth facilitated by the creation of MUDs, with particular emphasis on the legislative authority over such entities. Senator Birdwell highlighted the importance of legislative control over MUD creation, discussing the second and third-order impacts on local communities and infrastructure. The discussion was characterized by a view that the current approval processes may lack necessary scrutiny, leading to community concerns about environmental impacts and infrastructure strain as new developments arise.
Public testimony revealed a sense of urgency among constituents regarding environmental regulations and the role TCEQ plays in managing the challenges of population growth. Members of the committee raised issues around the clarity of TCEQ's powers and responsibilities, advocating for more transparency and proactive community engagement from the agency. As the meeting concluded, the need for improved communication and the importance of ensuring compliance with state law were emphasized, with a promise from TCEQ representatives to address these concerns moving forward.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.
Joint Hearing: Senate and House Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Jul 23rd, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But you raise a real valid question when it comes to dams.
- Chairman, you talk about 2,200 dams, earthen dams.
- Those 2,200 dams are not included in the floodplain.
- They have a water supply dam and a couple of recreational dams. That'd be like anger.
- be maintained in a dam-ready position.
Keywords:
flooding, emergency response, communication systems, first responders, disaster management, Texas Water Development Board, regional planning, public safety
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on discussions around the recent floods in Texas, specifically addressing emergency preparedness, response coordination, and recovery efforts. Officials from various agencies provided testimonies on the challenges faced during the emergency, including issues with communication systems among first responders. Notably, the need for improved inter-agency communication and technology integration was emphasized, with recommendations for establishing regional communications units for better coordination during disasters. The audience included local government representatives and emergency management partners, who shared insights and experiences from the recent flooding events.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If those earthen dams...
- Chairman, you talk about 2,200 dams, earthen dams, and you talk about some additional details.
- That would be like Ingram Dam?
- Because of that, our dam infrastructure has to be maintained in a dam-ready position.
- At the dams. Yes, sir.
Keywords:
flooding, disaster relief, emergency response, Senate Select Committee, flood risk management, public testimony, flood planning, community input
Summary:
In this meeting of the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Relief and Flooding, the focus was on the recent severe flooding that caused significant casualties and property damage across Texas. The committee heard invited testimony from various state agencies and river authorities regarding their responses to the flooding emergency. It was noted that over 135 Texans lost their lives during this disaster, and numerous families were displaced, prompting a united effort from emergency responders and volunteers across the country to assist those affected. The committee emphasized the importance of constructive policy solutions rather than assigning blame, aiming to enhance future flood response and mitigation strategies.
Key discussions revolved around flood risk management, with presentations on the newly established processes following the passage of several bills related to flood infrastructure and planning. The committee emphasized a bottom-up approach to regional flood planning involving local community input, and they highlighted the need for additional resources to improve emergency response capabilities. Public testimony reinforced the necessity of developing improved communication systems and flood warning mechanisms to mitigate the risk of future flooding incidents.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 27th, 2025 at 10:30 am
House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- Item one is flood control dam funding. Recommendations include $94.9 million in all.
- of existing dams.
- These privately located earthen dams provide over $600 million in annual benefits.
- Agency staff estimates the total population at risk of flooding due to these dams.
- The board is requesting an additional FTE for a dam safety engineer in the field to assess dam sponsors
Keywords:
Gulf Coast Protection District, Alamo funding, infrastructure, environmental initiatives, public testimony
Summary:
The committee meeting addressed several pressing issues, notably focusing on funding appropriations for the Gulf Coast Protection District and infrastructure projects, including the Alamo complex. Members expressed concerns over budget constraints, with requests for substantial funds aimed at supporting environmental initiatives and the upcoming biennium. Discussion points included the efficacy of previous funding and the anticipated impact of new capital on local communities. Public testimony was encouraged at various intervals throughout the meeting, adding robust dialogue amongst members and stakeholders.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 31st, 2025 at 09:07 am
House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- ...Diversion dams.
- The spreader dams that were put on this place years ago—there's only one out of all the spreader dams
- When excessive rain falls, the water level upstream of the dam starts to build up behind the dam and
- There are multiple homemade dams; I didn't know this, but there are homemade dams because the area is
- So homemade dams, which are not earthen dams.
Keywords:
flooding, disaster response, Kerr County, emergency management, community resilience, legislation, flood control, public safety
Summary:
This meeting, held in Kerr County, focused on the recent flooding disaster that affected the area. Lieutenant Governor Patrick and Speaker Burroughs spearheaded discussions, emphasizing the need for improved emergency response and flood management. Various testimonies highlighted the community's resilience while revealing critical gaps in communication and the effectiveness of evacuation strategies during the flooding. The commitment from state leaders to address these issues was evident, as they assured the local populace that legislative action would follow to prevent future tragedies. Overall, the meeting served as both a reflection on the recent disaster and a clarion call for enhanced preparedness measures across Texas.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
Natural Resources May 21st, 2025 at 09:05 am
House Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- diverting water from a reservoir when needed for the purposes of repairing, maintaining, or rehabilitating dams
- Are there any dam names on here?
Yes, there are.
- on Environmental Quality has been very cooperative working with these districts to, one, enforce the Dam
- In this instance, it's dam and public health and safety flood control.
Keywords:
Natural Resources, SB1965, SB2885, SB2440, SB1855, SB2568, SB3058, SB612, groundwater, water regulation, infrastructure development
Summary:
The meeting of the Committee on Natural Resources was convened to review several bills concerning water regulation and development. Chairman Harris facilitated discussions on SB1965, SB2885, SB2440, SB1855, SB2568, SB3058, and SB612. Notable was the acknowledgment of rising concerns over groundwater availability and the regulatory framework surrounding it. The members emphasized the essential nature of the decisions being made, particularly in light of recent developments in water conservation and infrastructure. The bill SB1855 emerged as a focal point, addressing ambiguities in prior legislation about groundwater certification, which has caused confusion among local officials and developers alike. Testimonies were provided by representatives from various counties, emphasizing the necessity for clear guidelines and standards to protect water resources and support sustainable development.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025 at 08:00 am
House Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- program administered by the agency is the flood control dam
- relies on 2,038 flood control dams to protect lives and
- These privately located earthen dams provide over $600 million in annual benefits.
- Currently, 752 dams are classified as high hazard, meaning that failure could result in the loss of life
- Every time a dam is changed from low hazard to high hazard, our target increases.
Keywords:
Texas House, Natural Resources, water management, conservation, legislative proposals, administrative processes
Summary:
During this meeting of the Texas House Natural Resources Committee, critical discussions centered on various legislative proposals impacting water management and conservation in the state. Chairman Harris emphasized the importance of balancing economic growth with conservation efforts, noting the urgency of addressing Texas's finite water resources. Several members raised concerns about the administrative processes governing water laws, and a variety of bills were presented, including a definition cleanup bill and modifications to reporting requirements. The committee heard testimony from multiple stakeholders who provided insights on existing issues and proposed solutions to enhance water management in Texas.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- By allowing a permit exemption, the dam and surrounding natural infrastructure could be maintained more
- or rehabilitate the dam or reservoir and state that the exempt
- We manage 23 dams, and right in the middle of our district is a small construction.
- " data-time="270"> project called the Samsung chip plant, and that's having a lot of impact on our dams
- These are the sponsors of those NRCS-built dams.
Keywords:
water management, environmental regulations, migrant housing, labor standards, wastewater treatment, utility rates
Summary:
The meeting was convened to discuss several pivotal bills primarily relating to water management, environmental regulations, and labor standards. Amongst key discussions, SB243 aimed to reform migrant housing penalties, transforming the flat fee structure into a more compelling model that could incite improvements in living conditions for migrant workers. Furthermore, the committee deliberated on SB2159 and SB2568, both significant for addressing water resource management in Medina County, with testimonies from local water authority representatives emphasizing the urgent need for updated legislative support amid local growth pressures. Other bills discussed included SB1891 and SB1442, which prompted lively debates regarding utility rate adjustments and environmental compliance procedures for wastewater facilities.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Aug 22nd, 2025 at 08:08 am
House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- decided to build a retention diversion dam, enabling the
- And they're not planning to expand below those Falcon Dams
- or Amistad Dams, any other plans.
- or rehabilitating dams and reservoirs or building a small
- So, during these delays, the dams were more vulnerable to erosion and to possible failure.
Keywords:
disaster relief, grant program, loan program, infrastructure, recovery, Texas Division of Emergency Management, building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, flood risk, campground, safety regulations, civil penalty, guest safety, county regulation, impervious cover, land use, unincorporated areas
Summary:
The committee meeting addressed multiple bills related to emergency preparedness and flood prevention, with significant discussions on HB48, SB3, and HB75. Representative Darby opened the meeting by advocating for the creation of a nine-member alert notification system to address public saturation with emergency alerts and to streamline the notification process by evaluating the effectiveness and coordination of existing systems. Testimonies from various stakeholders underscored the necessity of reducing alert fatigue among residents while enhancing the state’s overall readiness for impending natural disasters. The meeting featured robust support for HB75, aimed at establishing stricter safety standards for youth camps located in flood-prone areas following recent tragic flooding incidents that highlighted the urgent need for improved safety measures.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Mar 24th, 2025 at 10:03 am
House S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Is it really the spillway, or is it overflowing the dam, or
- 208" data-time="1242"> The problem arises here because this is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, dam
- in the 1910s by a private company, the Medina Irrigation Company, and they originally operated the dam
- it went bankrupt, they created the Bexar-Medina-Atascosa Water Transfer Organization to operate that dam
Keywords:
family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, fencing, reservoirs, local government, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation
Summary:
During this meeting, significant discussions revolved around essential bills, including HB1646, HB605, HB2379, and HB2115. HB1646, aimed at amending the Health and Safety Code, was presented as a means to enhance the operational efficiency of emergency service districts by raising the expenditure threshold for board approval from $2,000 to $50,000. Testimonies from emergency service officials were notably in favor of the bill, highlighting the improved response times and operational flexibility it would provide. On the other hand, HB605 sought to grant the Harris County Hospital District the authority to employ and commission its peace officers, tackling the increasing concerns of workplace violence in healthcare settings, which was addressed with urgency as it aimed at improving safety for both staff and patients. The bill was left pending to allow further considerations.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th Regular
Natural Resources Mar 5th, 2025 at 10:30 am
House Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Yes, to the extent that we have water main replacements, we have two major dams that need maintenance
So our dam and tailrace right now—tailrace is the
- area below a dam—there's a lot of intricate operations that go on when you're releasing water from a
- We're better than we were before the damage occurred to the dam, but we're not as good as we need to
- All of the dams need to be evaluated for dam safety from that perspective, and we need to look at getting
Keywords:
water management, desalination, Corpus Christi, drought, Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus, state funding, economic impact
Summary:
The meeting focused primarily on water management issues related to the ongoing drought in Texas, particularly concerning the need for new water sources such as seawater desalination. Testimonies highlighted the critical status of local water supplies and the urgency of projects designed to secure future water availability. A noteworthy discussion revolved around the upcoming Inner Harbor Water Treatment Campus and desalination plant in Corpus Christi, which is aiming to become Texas's first municipally owned facility of its kind. Various stakeholders emphasized the importance of timely state support and funding in expediting these projects to mitigate water shortages and their potential economic impacts on the region.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Aug 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- A piece of her purple trunk, that I so lovingly and meticulously packed, was recovered at the dam, 11.1
- Of the elevation and the dam and the lake.
- I think the dam will probably break before that happens. But it just made me aware of, hey, I know.
- Of course, the structural integrity of the dam is important.
- The time the water reached the height of Buchanan Dam is, I believe, the 7th.
Keywords:
SB1, youth camp safety, flooding, testimony, reforms, emergency plans, Camp Mystic, fatalities
Summary:
The meeting focused on discussion around SB1, addressing safety reforms in youth camps in light of a tragic flooding incident that resulted in multiple fatalities. The committee heard testimony from various stakeholders, including family members of the victims, who shared heartfelt stories and the urgent need for reforms to ensure that such a tragedy would not happen again. The testimonies highlighted the importance of establishing better safety measures, including evacuation plans and compliance with new safety regulations. Senator Perry emphasized that the bill aims to create objective standards that protect children attending camps, prompting a strong emotional response from attendees as they reflected on the lives lost during the flash floods.
TX
Texas 2025 - 89th 2nd C.S.
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Aug 25th, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams
- These dams are now $2 billion behind in their funding and in need of key repairs, with hundreds now being
- marker="2752" data-time="16506"> allows districts to use permit exemption when diverting water for dam
- the requirement to obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for certain dams
- purpose is for erosion control, flood mitigation, sediment management, repair, or rehabilitation of the dam
Keywords:
property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, groundwater, aquifers, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, permit moratorium, environmental impact, law enforcement, department file, employee records, misconduct, confidentiality, Texas occupations code, judicial processes, infrastructure, public safety
Summary:
The meeting focused on multiple important pieces of legislation, with key attention on HB16, an omnibus courts bill aiming to improve judicial processes, and SB18, which seeks to ease permit requirements for dam maintenance related to erosion and flood control. Chairman Leach and Senator Zaffirini provided significant insights during their bill presentations, stressing the importance of efficiency in governmental operations. The committee engaged in lively debates about the implications of these bills, particularly regarding budgetary concerns for local governments and the potential effects on public safety funding. Testimonies from stakeholders further highlighted the necessity for legislative clarity and improved infrastructure support for state safety measures. The final votes showed strong support for the proposed bills, indicating a proactive approach towards legislative efficiency.