Latest news with #HouseBill330
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Legislature passes bill that would change the way the Birmingham Water Works Board operates
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A bill that would change the way the water works board for the second largest city in Alabama has passed both houses, awaiting Gov. Kay Ivey signing it into law. SB330, which passed the Senate 66-27 Thursday, would essentially taken the Birmingham Water Works Board out of the hands of the city and into state control, turning it into a regional board where board members can be appointed by officials outside the city. On Wednesday, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin stood with other city officials in protest of the bill, claiming it was overreach by the state. 'Let's call it what it is, this is a political power grab that is not in the best interests of the rate payers,' Woodfin said. Over the years, the BWWB has faced several challenges, from being nearly $1 billion in debt to rising rate increases. Rep. Juandalyn Givan, who is running for mayor of Birmingham, issued the following statement after the bill passed: 'Today marks a deeply disappointing moment for the City of Birmingham as the Municipal Appointing Authority and for the thousands of ratepayers who rely on the Birmingham Water Works Board. The passage of House Bill 330 represents a blatant overreach— a takeover of an authority that rightfully belongs to the City of Birmingham and its residents. This move is not only absurd, it is dangerous, and its long-term consequences could be devastating in ways we may never fully recover from. 'I have fought tooth and nail against this legislation, raising my voice at every opportunity to protect local control and accountability. The Birmingham Water Works Board, while not without its own challenges, should never have been subjected to such a politically motivated power grab. 'I would be remiss not to acknowledge that some of the difficulties we face today were self-inflicted. I also cannot help but express my disappointment that more of Birmingham's leadership did not publicly and forcefully join this fight when it mattered most. Our unity could have made a difference. 'Though this was not the outcome we wanted, I remain steadfast in my commitment to the people of Birmingham. I will continue to be a voice for our community and to advocate for transparency, equity, and the local authority that our city deserves.' The changes are set to go into effect immediately once it's signed into law. Mayor Woodfin released the following statement regarding the bill's passage: 'My concern is for the Birmingham ratepayers. This bill is not in their best interest. The city does not own the water works nor operate it but the passage of this legislation clearly weakens the voice of a major portion of the utility's ratepayers. While I have raised concerns about BWWB over the years, the current board has taken steps to improve. That momentum has now been halted by this power grab from state lawmakers in Montgomery who clearly did not consider the best interest of our residents.' Mayor Woodfin Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NM legislative roundup Feb. 11: ¡Pala power!
Democratic Sen. Leo Jaramillo (center) from Española joins irrigators and acequia managers in a march around the New Mexico Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Mayordomos and other acequia advocates from across New Mexico gathered at the Roundhouse on Tuesday, carrying shovels and signs calling on lawmakers to expand a recurring stream of funding for the historic waterways. New Mexico has more than 700 of the vital irrigation channels, and recent wildfires and other disasters have caused millions of dollars of damage to them far beyond what lawmakers have approved so far. Specifically, acequias will need $68 million in the coming decades to fix damage caused by disasters or harden against future ones, according to a recent rough estimate. To that end, the New Mexico Acequia Association is pushing House Bill 330, which would create a recurring infrastructure fund for acequias and land grants. You can read more here about what acequia leaders are seeking this session. Association Director Paula Garcia told Source New Mexico in a phone interview Tuesday that the extra funding is vital amid federal delays in funding acequia restoration and even freezes. Her association had a $200,000 'equity in conservation' grant from the National Resource Conservation Service it used to provide technical assistance to acequias in Lincoln and Rio Arriba counties, which were affected by fires and floods last year. New Mexico's acequias outline 2025 legislative priorities The grant was frozen, Garcia said, probably due to some kind of 'misunderstanding that it had to do with diversity.' It was a major source of funding for the small nonprofit, she said. In fact, 'We used that funding to help everybody,' she said. 'For under-served, rural areas.' Approximately 75 acequias sustained damage in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire, and Garcia estimated that 10 of them, at most, had received the major construction they needed to repair from past damage or prepare for future floods. Around the time the acequia demonstration occurred Tuesday, lawmakers in the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee were hearing a bill allowing the funding of the Strategic Water Supply. Lawmakers narrowly approved the bill, which would approve up to $75 million to be spent as the state creates a market for the sale of treated brackish and produced water. Garcia said her association has not taken a position on the strategic water supply, but she did share some concerns that she's brought to the attention of the bill's sponsors. For one, she's concerned that brackish water more than 2,500 feet below the surface isn't subject to the same water rights application process as water closer to the surface. She is also seeking assurances that no produced water will be granted a discharge permit that would allow it to flow into rivers or farmers' fields via acequias. Proponents have repeatedly said no such permits would be allowed. 'It's a very significant leap in the way water management is being handled in New Mexico, so it should be done very carefully,' she said. The Senate Tax, Business and Transportation unanimously approved the Medical Psilocybin Act, which would create a program for New Mexicans to establish a program for medicinal use of psilocybin mushrooms. The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee in the afternoon voted unanimously in favor of Rep. Marian Matthews' House Bill 111, which would require first responders in emergencies to make a 'reasonable effort' to find qualified service animals if they are missing. The committee also approved a proposal that would strengthen New Mexico's protections for journalists from unfair subpoenas by state government officials.
