Transcript Highlights:

• Recognizing 100 years of educating in the Crossroads region, our Victoria College.
• constructing a student success center.
• Chair lays out overs region second reading 9.
• and remove criminal aliens. enhancing community safety and national security.
• Districts nationwide, 29 convictions, 29 convictions from home. security.

Keywords: HCR65, HCR19, Senate resolutions, memorial, community impact, legislative proceedings

Summary: The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Callie: For example, senior centers, local senior centers are funded through the statewide process.
• that does an operational.
• So you may want to add that they have the operational money to operate those things in the future.
• We have a security program with security officers, we do building maintenance, repair and services, custodial
• So they are in charge of the operations. And Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Manchester VA Medical Center is almost 75 years old.
• It just depends on the region of the country and the the VA Medical Center in the community care area
• And as you stated, the vet centers are critical to veterans' health. care because they do operate in
• Not at a regional office, not at a medical center, where the veterans live.
• They don't live at the medical center. or they don't live at the regional office.

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, they are struggling to legally operate in our current permitting structure.
• It was the test of an idea through pop-ups and temporary operations.
• It was the test of an idea through pop-ups and temporary operations.
• And when population grows, worship centers are needed.
• to be part of the general plan, just like child care centers.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To secure the commitment of the business community, H. 3249 provides a powerful incentive: a tax credit
• areas like precision machining and engineering that are vital to the economy, particularly in our region
• I am the president and CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, which also serves as a regional tourism
• We welcome about 500,000 visitors a year, and our nonprofit just built a new connection center, and we
• With the cost of inflation and our costs, just building this new Earth nonprofit connection center, it

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it a regional approach?
• Is it a regional approach?
• Parks is currently engaged in a life safety project centered around guest safety and security.
• Parks is currently engaged in a life safety project centered around guest safety and security.
• Parks is currently engaged in a life safety project centered around guest safety and security.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting 00:13 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:14 Approval of Minutes 01:40 Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet 27:44 Department of Parks 59:23 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. Members then heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% tourism marketing fund. Witnesses explained that the fund supports statewide tourism promotion, advertising, research, regional marketing, and matching grants to local tourism commissions, and that it cannot be used for capital construction. They reported that the General Assembly and governor increased appropriations in the 2024 session, adding $3 million in FY25 and $7 million in FY26, and set aside funding for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Tourism officials emphasized that Kentucky tourism is a major economic driver, citing 2023 figures of $13.8 billion in economic impact, 79.3 million visitors, $9.7 billion in direct spending, more than 95,000 jobs supported, and nearly $1 billion in state and local tax revenue. They said the department now uses targeted digital and over-the-top advertising in selected domestic and international markets, with 62% of media placements digital and 80% of the budget spent out of state. Members asked about market selection, how the department measures return on investment, and what attracts visitors from places such as Dallas, Orlando, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.; officials said research shows a mix of family visits, outdoor recreation, and varied Kentucky offerings, and that 81% of overnight visitors are repeat visitors. They also discussed the potential impact of tariffs and trade tensions on bourbon-related tourism and international visitation, especially from Canada, and officials said they were monitoring the situation with U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA. The committee then heard from Kentucky State Parks officials on capital projects funded through HJR 76, HJR 56, and House Bill 6. They said they are providing quarterly project reports and have been meeting regularly with the Finance Cabinet’s engineering and contract staff. The presentation focused on campground utilities, broadband, and structural upgrades, including $40 million for campground improvements across the park system, with completed bathhouse renovations at Barren River and Nolin Lake and additional projects underway or in planning. Officials said the work is based on camper survey feedback, such as requests for better Wi-Fi, sewer and electric upgrades, frost-free spigots, and improved site layouts, and noted that the My Old Kentucky Home campground project is under construction and expected to be completed by spring 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> security or public safety. security or public safety.
• </c> to the region. to the region.
• </c> operate within. operate within.
• </c> residents in our region. residents in our region.
• </c> for the region. for the region.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This hurts our national security.
• This hurts our national security.
• This hurts our national security.
• No region should be left out when it faces what our region does.
• > economic</c> security, energy security, and economic security, energy security, and economic prosperity

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are the four leading states in the country and also in our region.
• For example, we were able to provide funding for the installation, operations, and maintenance of fast
• So we're looking in our southwest region for that.
• And we were able to secure that funding.
• Currently, any kind of toll revenue that garners interest would go to the operating budget.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held a work session on electric vehicles, renewable fuels, hydrogen, and related transportation investments, followed by public hearings on several bills. Agency presenters from WSDOT, Commerce, and Ecology described the Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council’s work, Washington’s slowing EV adoption growth, charging infrastructure gaps, and programs such as NEVI, ZEVIP, and a new medium- and heavy-duty incentive program. Members asked about fast-charging standards and whether higher-capacity chargers could be supported. Commerce also outlined renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel efforts, including the Office of Renewable Fuels, hydrogen and SAF modeling, technical assistance, and the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator’s partnerships and funding. WSDOT then discussed hydrogen investments in transit, aviation, backup power, and corridor planning, while Ecology explained the alternative jet fuel programmatic environmental impact statement, its scope, timeline, and how it will support future project review. In the public hearing on Substitute House Bill 2114, the committee heard testimony supporting a no-fee replacement process for defective license plates within two years of issuance, with optional fee waivers later; the sponsor and county auditors said peeling or unreadable plates are a real customer-service problem, especially in eastern Washington. The hearing on House Bill 2111 concerned allowing the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project toll facility bond retirement account to keep its interest earnings instead of sending them to the general fund; the prime sponsor said it is a straightforward fix requested by the state treasurer. Substitute House Bill 1823 would update Transportation Improvement Board statutes by replacing “non-motorized” with “active transportation” and removing obsolete references; TIB said it is a cleanup bill that aligns statutes with current grant practices and complete streets policy. The committee also heard House Bill 2495, which would let the City of Seattle direct immediate impoundment of unattended vehicles blocking streetcar operations, similar to existing authority for Sound Transit. Seattle’s streetcar manager said blocked tracks cause frequent delays and that the bill would reduce waits for police authorization and restore service faster. Public testimony and sign-in counts were noted for each bill, but no votes were taken in the transcript, and the meeting concluded after the final public hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protect districts' operating reserves by ending spend it or lose it policies.
• On the next page, number five, school district: School District Operating Reserves.
• We feel that that is essential for creating stable school operational environments.
• Oftentimes, we're operating in separate worlds on transportation.
• Chairman, it has come up about school security funding for school security.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're operated by these private detention facilities, and they should not be operating because they
• centers.
• The Somali Learning Center was a daycare center.
• It's not going to provide any security to the exact people that you're trying to provide security to.
• I want to thank the call center operators for doing this challenging and incredible work and saving the

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, approved dispensing with the previous day’s journal, and then took up a long third-reading file. Early procedural actions included moving AB 1589 to the inactive file and continuing reconsideration items. The chamber then considered a series of bills largely focused on immigration enforcement, detention, worker protections, child care, voting access, and related public services. Several immigration-related measures passed, including AB 2393 on damages for false imprisonment/arrest, AB 1994 on an immigrant victims’ rights and resources card, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 1633 imposing a tax on for-profit detention facilities, AB 1650 requiring decals on rental vehicles used for enforcement, AB 1655 protecting CalWORKs benefits when a child is detained, and AB 1896 disqualifying people who participated in immigration enforcement from certain public employment. AB 2230, which would bar immigration enforcement near polling places and child care facilities, also passed after extensive debate. Supporters framed these bills as accountability and protection for vulnerable communities; opponents argued they targeted federal law enforcement, were unnecessary, or raised constitutional concerns. AB 1851 on statewide school mental-health guidance also passed unanimously. After the midday recess, the Assembly returned and continued with more bills tied to immigration impacts and child welfare. AB 2379 passed with urgency, requiring child care providers to be informed of constitutional rights and trained on protections when confronted by immigration enforcement. AB 2460 passed to update school behavioral-health referral protocols for students affected by immigration enforcement trauma. AB 2495 passed to expand prohibitions on employer immigration-related threats, and AB 2662 was presented as a way for California to monitor and document federal enforcement actions and report on their community impacts. Throughout the day, the floor featured repeated exchanges over whether the bills addressed real problems or were political messaging, but the measures that came to a vote generally advanced with majority support.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's called the East Plano Islamic Center.
• Operation Title Wave is going on in Florida.
• There are 44 sheriffs in Idaho, and 36 operate jails.
• Valley Regional Transit.
• I think a lot of the regional issues are already dealt with in the countywide regional transportation

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from March 6 and March 9, then voted to send two gubernatorial appointments to the State Building Authority, Nicholas Gouho and Todd Christensen, to the Senate floor with recommendations that they be confirmed. It also introduced and sent to print RS 33670 on community schools, RS 33719 on sewer district rate regulation, and RS 33722 on a presidential primary proposal. Senate Bill 1376, which would shift local candidate filing for online elections to county clerks and streamline coordination with political subdivisions, was presented with support from the Secretary of State’s office and was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which would designate the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as terrorist organizations. The sponsor argued the resolution would help Idaho respond to perceived threats and future land-purchase issues; supporters cited FBI and other references, while one senator said he would do more research but not oppose it. The resolution was sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. House Bill 659, requiring local law enforcement agencies to apply for ICE 287(g) agreements and publicly explain any refusal, drew extensive testimony. The sponsor and supporters said it would improve cooperation, transparency, and public safety, while opponents—including sheriffs, police chiefs, and residents—argued it would burden local agencies, reduce trust in immigrant communities, and improperly federalize local policing. After debate over language requiring participation in future programs, a motion to send the bill to the 14th order for amendment failed 4-5, and the committee then voted 5-4 to hold the bill in committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1356, which would make Ada County Highway District elections partisan and countywide rather than district-based. The sponsor said the change would better reflect countywide transportation needs, but nearly all testimony opposed the bill, arguing it would politicize a technical local function, increase campaign costs, and dilute district representation. No final action on SB 1356 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• miracle center as fast as you can.
• So while you're waiting for that ambulance to take you to the regional miracle center, you're going to
• </c> ambulance to take you to the regional ambulance to take you to the regional miracle<00:29:38.000
• ><c> center,</c><00:29:39.120><c> you're</c><00:29:39.360><c> going</c><00:29:39.440><c> to</c><00:29
• We went back in on the goose pond and put in trout and a lot of fish back in this region and cleaned

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:56.320><c> of</c> state of Kentucky in like regions of state of Kentucky in like regions of
• Each ad district doesn't race regions.
• Uh people centers that are coming in.
• </c><00:37:41.119><c> was</c> together at at the local centers was together at at the local centers was
• So, uh, securing treatment plant had.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion of County Clerks’ Land Records Update 00:02:42 Discussion of Area Development Districts 00:22:48 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:50:09 Discussion of Local Taxing Sources 01:02:33 Adjournment 01:29:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up an update from the Kentucky County Clerks Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. Testimony explained that legislation from the 2021 task force created funding and deadlines for counties to provide online search portals and complete a 30-year property record search, with a later move to a 60-year standard. Speakers said the money has been awarded to counties, but much of the work is still in progress because records must be scanned, indexed, and manually verified. They said only a handful of counties are fully compliant with electronic recording so far, while many are still working through staffing and vendor issues. They also noted that the 60-year standard may ultimately be easier and more efficient to complete than the 30-year standard, and that compliance is expected to improve by next summer. The clerks’ representatives also raised related issues, including deed fraud, the county document storage fee, and KDLA digitization grants. They said online recording can make deed fraud easier to attempt, so they expect to seek legislation next session to address it. They described an existing notification service available in many counties that alerts property owners when a document is recorded, which can help detect suspicious activity quickly. They also said the storage fee and separate county account structure has generally worked well, but that two recent KDLA grant cycles have not released money for clerks, limiting support for digitization work. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and verified, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive under KDLA control. Members asked about the balance in the KDLA fund, what the General Assembly could do to help lagging counties, and how much of the $25 million modernization funding had been spent. Witnesses said they did not have the current fund balance but would try to get it, that the main obstacle now appears to be staffing rather than additional money, and that the funds have been awarded but not fully expended because work is still ongoing. They emphasized that counties are helping one another and asked members to alert association leadership if any county is struggling. The committee then heard a presentation from Dan London, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, who described area development districts as regional staff extensions and technical resources for cities and counties, and highlighted their role in coordinating regional services and partnerships across county lines.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the director of the Rural Ed Center.
• I serve as the director of the Rural Ed Center.
• The O in MSOC—operating costs—is under the greatest strain.
• Thank you. across the state identifying closed security gaps.
• I'm a special operations officer in the Marine Corps.

Bills: SB5992, SB5918, SB5951, SB6042, SB5952, SB5961, SB5969

Keywords: youth development, funding, positive programs, youth services, community programs, school funding, education, supplies, operating costs, K-12 education, albuterol, access, public schools, private schools, healthcare, school safety, emergency preparedness, mapping, local education policies, curriculum requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 385, Representative Proctor, an act relating to state operated mental health facilities.
• </c><00:04:44.479><c> mental</c> an act relating to state operated mental an act relating to state operated
• Through his leadership, the center focused on miner safety, securing benefits for those harmed on the
• </c><00:43:44.480><c> on</c> leadership, the center focused on leadership, the center focused on protecting
• safety, securing protecting minor safety, securing benefits<00:43:47.680><c> for</c><00:43:47.920><c

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Calendar/2nd Readings 04:07 Orders of the Day 05:07 HB 144 05:15 HB 3 08:27 HB 290 12:34 HB 84 14:53 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:12 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 45:19 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 46:20 ConC/Rules Report 48:12 Floor Amendments 49:42 Adjournment 50:05, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Something I did mention earlier is that we are intending to have regional experts in regional areas.
• The way that the local workforce office operates.
• opportunities and other types of new announcements in your region.
• Okay, we're building a lot of data centers. This is my fear.
• You have an independent contractor who has no... ...centers. This is my fear.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted prior meeting minutes and voluntarily deferred three bills before taking up House Bill 232, which would shift the employment-certificate process for minors away from school boards and to Louisiana Works. Rep. Carlson said the bill is intended to reduce burdens on schools and make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to work, especially in the summer. A youth advisory council testified in support, describing the current process as cumbersome for students and families. The committee adopted amendments, including a change making the bill effective upon the governor’s signature, and then reported HB 232 favorably with amendments. The committee next considered House Bill 951, creating an Office of Talent Accelerator within Louisiana Works and a Business Workforce Committee to coordinate employer-facing workforce services. Rep. Bamberg and Secretary Susie Schowen described it as a centralized, regional, business-facing effort to respond more quickly to workforce needs tied to major economic development projects, while also supporting existing small and mid-sized businesses. Supporters, including Bollinger Shipyards and Leaders for a Better Louisiana, said similar models in Mississippi had helped expand training pipelines and better match employers with workers. The committee adopted a large amendment set and reported HB 951 with amendments. House Bill 923, a cleanup measure reorganizing Louisiana Works statutes and updating language after last year’s agency restructuring, was then adopted with technical amendments and reported with amendments. The committee also took up House Bill 301, which would create a voluntary portable-benefits framework for independent contractors and gig workers. Supporters said it would give contractors a way to negotiate benefits such as health care or retirement contributions, while opponents warned it could encourage misclassification, weaken workers’ compensation protections, and shift costs to workers and the state. After debate, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 301 with a 6-5 vote. Finally, House Bill 185 was introduced as a workers’ compensation measure to expand the definition of independent contractor and restore tort immunity for employers in certain contract-labor situations. The sponsor said it was part of the Attorney General’s package and aimed at addressing a recent court decision; the bill was just beginning discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities and youth who are transferred from a secure.
• I assume by out-of-market you mean outside of the LA region, correct?
• Linda Wei with Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• I'm Keely O'Brien with Western Center on Law and Poverty.
• and on the operating side.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• San Juan Regional Medical Center and the Lovelace hospitals in the Albuquerque metro area.
• So the Donihan County Major Hospitals Memorial, Three Crosses, San Juan Regional Medical Center, and
• San Juan Regional Medical Center in the Loveless hospitals in the Albuquerque Metro area. Loveless.
• Juvenile justice is meant to center rehabilitation.
• Juvenile justice is meant to center rehabilitation.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 306, which would prohibit facility fees on certain routine health care services, including preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth, while preserving fees in inpatient, emergency, and some rural hospital settings. The sponsor and Health Care Authority said the bill is meant to reduce surprise billing, improve transparency, and lower costs for patients and premiums. The Hospital Association opposed the measure as a potential threat to hospital operations, while insurers, consumer advocates, and a private citizen supported it. Members asked about rural exemptions, which hospitals would be affected, uninsured patients, and whether premiums might fall. The committee approved HB 306 on a 5-0 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 166, which would create statewide standards for battery-charged electric fences with alarm systems for commercial properties. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, provide uniform rules, and help businesses deter property crime. There was little opposition, and members focused mainly on signage requirements and the bill’s limited application to commercial, not residential, fencing. HB 166 was passed on a 4-0 vote. Next, the committee took up a proposed tax credit for gun safes tied to safe storage of firearms. Supporters argued it would encourage compliance with safe-storage laws and help people afford secure storage, but members raised concerns about the size of the credit, possible administrative complications, and whether it should be handled in tax committee instead. The sponsor agreed to roll the bill and work with stakeholders rather than move it forward immediately. The committee also heard Senate Bill 100, a committee substitute clarifying the definition of “dwelling” for burglary and aggravated burglary after a Supreme Court case involving a portal/porch area. Supporters, including law enforcement, business, and property-rights groups, said the bill would provide clarity and better reflect privacy expectations around enclosed spaces. The Public Defender and Criminal Defense Lawyers Association opposed it, arguing the law already distinguishes between trespass, attempted burglary, and burglary, and that the case was correctly handled under existing law. The committee passed SB 100 on a 6-0 vote. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 196 and House Bill 197, both governor’s bills increasing penalties for firearm-related offenses. HB 196 would raise the penalty for receiving a stolen firearm from a fourth-degree to a third-degree felony, and HB 197 would do the same for larceny of a firearm. Opponents argued higher penalties would not deter crime and could increase incarceration, while supporters from state police and the Chamber of Commerce said the bills target stolen guns that fuel violent crime. HB 196 was tabled on a 3-2 vote after debate over deterrence and the narrow scope of the offense. HB 197 was then heard separately, with no opposition testimony, and members discussed how the higher penalty would work in practice; the transcript ends before a final vote on HB 197 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And actually, Visit California operates with a mission.
• For San Diego in our region, we are intertwined necessarily.
• and the economic health of our region.
• So when we talk about visitation and spending and operational expenses, these are really smaller operations
• So we consider ourselves a binational region with a... ...binational region with a Cali-Baja spirit that

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism held an informational hearing on the state of California tourism amid declining international visitation and broader economic and political headwinds. Visit California CEO Caroline Betetta said the industry remains a major economic driver, with 2024 visitor spending of $157 billion, 1.2 million jobs supported, and $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue, but warned that 2025 forecasts show the first post-pandemic decline in visitation, driven largely by a projected 9.2% drop in international travel. She cited concerns about the strong dollar, visa wait times, border and immigration rhetoric, and a proposed federal visa integrity fee, while emphasizing Visit California’s marketing campaigns and the importance of upcoming mega-events like the World Cup and 2028 Olympics. A second panel of destination leaders described local impacts and strategies. Visit Sacramento’s Mike Testa said the city has diversified beyond conventions into music festivals, sports, and food events, but noted that international apprehension is affecting events like Terra Madre Americas and that California should do more to incentivize major festivals to stay in-state. Santa Monica Travel and Tourism’s Lauren Salisbury said the city is seeing lower international visitation, especially from Canada, Australia, and Europe, and that wildfire coverage and later federal troop presence in Los Angeles hurt local sentiment and caused cancellations. Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau’s Rhonda Salisbury reported steep drops in international visitation to the gateway region, ongoing concerns about wildfire, reservations, insurance costs, and park access, and praised a new federal requirement for quarterly meetings between national parks and gateway communities. San Diego Tourism Authority COO Carrie Verbeck-Cappich said tourism is the region’s second-largest sector, but 2025 is softer than 2024, with spending down despite modest visitation growth. She pointed to weaker Canadian and Asian travel, government-related meeting cancellations, and the need for more support to bid on and host major events; she also highlighted border-crossing delays, insufficient federal staffing at ports of entry, and the Tijuana River sewage crisis as major regional issues. Committee members discussed the effects of federal rhetoric, infrastructure, and cross-border conditions on tourism, and several witnesses urged continued support for Visit California, Brand USA, event incentives, and efforts to present California as welcoming and open. Public comment then opened, beginning with testimony from the California Attractions and Parks Association.