Transcript Highlights:

• This is a long-term forecast that the Craig conducted at that time of, and what this chart shows is the
• will also help ensure that our state revenues are Positive and growing in real terms through this forecast
• That was the big takeaway from the most recent long-term forecast from the Craig is that the state can
• Um, forecasts, can you maybe talk a little bit about that? Thank you, Ma.
• And uh I know his job is to kind of forecast the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also focus or forecast our work program, make that known to the public so people can understand what
• You know, in terms of a price forecast, so to speak, I mean, I want to factor in certainly supply and
• And is that something that you kind of see forecasting or moving forward kind of staying at that level
• Certainly our role is to focus on quality and forecast future needs.
• Certainly our role is to focus on quality and forecast future needs.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and acted on a series of transportation, licensing, and memorial bills. The first major item was CS/SB 462, the Department of Transportation agency package, which included provisions on transportation trust fund revenue for electric vehicles, county project reporting, speed limits, workforce grants, procurement and utility relocation procedures, airport participation, metropolitan planning, and related DOT administration. The committee adopted a substitute amendment after extensive discussion, especially over utility relocation reimbursement, penalties, and whether the bill was too rigid while stakeholders continued negotiating. Testimony came from industry and utility representatives both supporting the need to address delays and opposing the bill’s prescriptive approach. The bill passed 8-3. The committee then approved several specialty license plate and memorial measures. CS/SB 1024 added a United States Military Academy plate alongside the Naval Academy plate. CS/SB 824 created a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate. CS/SB 666 created a Miami Northwestern Senior High School alumni plate, with supporters emphasizing the school’s history and scholarship uses for the revenue. CS/SB 916 authorized indemnification and insurance arrangements for commuter rail operations on the Brightline corridor, modeled on SunRail law, and was reported favorably after technical amendments. CS/SB 1290 updated DHSMV rules to conform to IFTA and federal motor carrier standards, raised the crash-damage reporting threshold, and made other registration and email-notification changes; CS/SB 1292 created a public-records exemption for certain email addresses used in motor vehicle and vessel notifications. CS/SB 1408 designated memorial highways for fallen officers Jesse Madsen and Elio Diaz, and CS/SB 1502 authorized FDOT blanket permits for mobile cranes to travel at night under specified conditions. All of these bills were reported favorably. The committee also received a lengthy informational presentation from FDOT on aggregates and the state’s construction-material supply chain. The witness described aggregate sources, transportation methods, recycling efforts, the importance of the Lake Belt and out-of-state imports, and the department’s supply-chain grant program. Senators asked about long-term reserves, stranded reserves, pricing, and the impact of regulation on future supply, and requested the study and a summary of regulatory impacts for members. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this amendment basically does is, if the forecast that comes in in November—in this example, it
• This current forecast that I've seen for the upcoming biennium is nowhere near that.
• That's true, based on the current forecast.
• Forecasts are most accurate at the period closest to us.
• That helps to pay back the shift when there is a positive unrestricted general fund balance forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• You’ll see that’s noted as base revenue adjustment, the April FAC forecast.
• Our office updates our revenue forecast three times a year.
• What this April forecast adjustment did was, given some of the geopolitical issues and the issues with
• multi-million-dollar, to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, in fact, reduction from the January to April forecast

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that February forecast, when that comes out, is really going to give an indication of where we're
• But that<00:09:03.519> February<00:09:04.080> forecast<00:09:04.560> when<00:09:
• 04.720> that<00:09:04.959> comes that February forecast when that comes that February forecast

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Speaker Lisa Demuth reflected on the 2025 session as a difficult but productive year in a closely divided House, saying the tie forced Republicans and Democrats to work together and empowered co-chairs and committee leaders to negotiate throughout the session. She said her partnership with former Speaker Melissa Hortman showed that both caucuses could still get work done even when neither side got everything it wanted, and she expects to continue that approach in 2026 if the House remains tied. She also said she has a workable relationship with DFL leader Zack Stevenson and wants to maintain respectful decorum while still allowing strong debate and committee input. On policy, Demuth said gun violence and public safety remain major concerns after the Hortman assassination, the Annunciation school shooting, and other high-profile violence. She said Republicans are focused on keeping communities safe, increasing penalties for firearm-related crimes, and expanding mental health supports across the state, especially outside densely populated areas. She also said anti-fraud legislation will be a major priority, noting prior bipartisan steps such as whistleblower protections and added staff for the Legislative Auditor, and she expects bipartisan action on fraud again this session. Demuth said immigration and ICE-related legislation will likely return, referencing last year’s House File 16 and saying cooperation with ICE would make Minnesota safer. She also pointed to budget concerns, saying the state moved from an $18 billion surplus to a tighter fiscal picture and that a $5 billion spending reduction last year was a step in the right direction. She said the February forecast will be important for setting responsible priorities and emphasized that the caucus’s goal is to keep working in a bipartisan way for Minnesotans.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the high cost of new construction and the forecast for the road fund, the cabinet heavily focused
• for the road fund, uh, the the forecast for the road fund, uh, the cabinet<00:09:51.760> heavily<
• Our forecasts for federal funding are based on federal fiscal year 2026 Infrastructure Investment and
• Our forecasts for federal funding are based on federal fiscal year 2026 Infrastructure Investment and
• The method that we’re using to forecast federal funding for planning purposes as we put this plan

Keywords: 00:03 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:57 Capital Projects and Highway Plan 56:11 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met to hear the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s presentation on the governor’s 2026 capital projects budget and recommended highway plan. Secretary Gray and cabinet staff first thanked KYTC snow and ice crews, local road departments, first responders, utility workers, and others for their work during a major winter storm, then outlined the capital budget request. The cabinet said its facilities are aging, with about 35% at or beyond useful life, and that limited road fund revenues led it to focus mainly on maintenance, maintenance pools, aircraft maintenance, environmental compliance, AASHTOWare upgrades, state park road maintenance, truck parking, and reauthorization of several projects, including airport work and road projects. The cabinet said the governor’s budget includes about $22.8 million in state funds for the capital budget over the biennium, plus carry-forward language for maintenance pools and project reauthorizations to avoid losing federal funds. Members asked about repeated reauthorizations, cost increases, and whether projects should be restarted as new requests after carrying over for multiple budgets. The cabinet responded that budget office policy generally allows only one reauthorization before a project must be resubmitted, and said many delays are due to acquisition or other project issues. Members also questioned the basis for increased-cost line items and the $5 million request for commercial truck parking; cabinet staff said they could provide original project cost details and that many increases are inflationary, while the truck parking project is expected to use federal funds and is a cabinet priority. The committee also discussed the decline in road fund receipts, which the cabinet attributed largely to lower motor fuels tax revenue. The presentation then shifted to the 2026 recommended highway plan. Officials said the plan covers more than 1,300 projects over six years and anticipates about $9.5 billion in federal and state funding. They said the plan is intended to maintain existing assets, advance long-term priority projects, and honor prior commitments, including the Mountain Parkway, the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, and the I-69 Ohio River Crossing. About 40% of plan funds are dedicated to existing pavements, bridges, and guardrails, and officials cited a 61% rise in highway construction costs from 2020 to 2025 as a major challenge. To help offset those pressures, the cabinet is seeking $125 million from the budget reserve trust fund for the Brent Spence Bridge and release of a federal grant condition tied to the already appropriated $150 million for the I-69 crossing. No votes were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, lease levy costs are built into the levy forecasts.
• Well, lease levy costs are built into the levy forecasts.
• Lease levy costs are built into the levy forecasts.
• for graduation ceremonies into the forecast for fiscal years 26 through 29.
• estimate based on the February forecast estimate based on the February forecast of<00:51:40.720>

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I believe this is the right move at the right time, because the forecast, if presented, was
• , I looked at where the issues came from, it shows that we should not have any issues in the forecast
• not forecasted correctly.
• provides the forecast.
• ; the education estimating conference provides the forecast.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• What this amendment does is so that if the forecast that comes in in November—in this example, it came
• This current forecast that I've seen for the upcoming biennium is nowhere near that, so it would not
• Representative Stevenson: Madam Speaker, uh— forecast that came out uh this last year forecast that came
• that I've seen for the current forecast that I've seen for the upcoming<00:52:06.200> bium<00
• forecast forecast the<00:52:27.319> spread<00:52:28.040> between<00:52:28.920> the<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , the March forecast.
• um street, but we will be hearing um street, but we will be hearing um the<01:37:33.320> forecast
• ,<01:37:34.000> the<01:37:34.080> March<01:37:34.600> forecast.
• <01:37:35.800> So, the forecast, the March forecast.
• So, the forecast, the March forecast. So, uh uh uh good<01:37:37.720> times.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and received several committee reports and appointment recommendations. Committees reported favorably on a number of bills and appointments, including local government, health and human services, transportation and energy, business/labor/technology, and judiciary items. The chamber also announced a change on the Senate Finance Committee, with Senator Adrian Benavidez appointed to replace Senator Julie Gonzales for the remainder of the session. A major floor item was House Bill 1136, creating the Pathways to Public Service Program in the Department of Personnel and Administration to identify coursework that could qualify students for entry-level state government jobs. Supporters said it would help attract young people to public service and fill state vacancies using existing resources; opponents argued it promoted government employment over private-sector careers and could expand government unnecessarily. After debate, the Senate adopted the bill on second reading, and the Committee of the Whole report later reflected that HB 1136 passed second reading and was ordered revised and placed on the calendar for third reading and final passage. The Senate also adopted House Joint Resolution 1023 recognizing Latino/Latina Advocacy Day after reading it at length and hearing remarks in support of civic engagement and Latino participation in policymaking. In addition, the chamber concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 74, which clarifies penalties and procedures related to excessive claims in public construction performance bond disputes; the bill then passed again on re-passage. Several other bills, including Senate Bill 63 and remaining calendar items, were laid over to later dates, and the Senate also considered and began processing consent-calendar gubernatorial appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• obviously your department to forecast obviously your department to forecast but<02:10:47.599>
• We're not forecast to hit $400 million.
• But that's where we're at: not forecasted to hit that $400 million, forecast to maintain that 1% reduction
• > that But that's where we're at: not forecasted to hit that $400 million, forecast to maintain
• 400 forecast to maintain it hit that 400 forecast to maintain that<02:17:38.439> 1%<02:17:39.439

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the budget for economic forecast in the budget for shortalls<00:21:45.919> that<00:21:46.039
• We put this together, and now we heard the February forecast, and you know, we're probably okay for—we
• We heard the February forecast, and you know, we're probably okay for—we got a couple hundred million
• We heard the February forecast, and you know, we're probably okay for—we got a couple hundred million
• We heard the February forecast, and you know, we're probably okay for—we got a couple hundred million

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, 6% of our budget is on other forecast programs.
• 6% of our budget is on other forecast 6% of our budget is on other forecast program<01:06:56.319
• I wish I had my November forecast notes with me, but I do think from our forecasting perspective we think
• <01:40:21.280> for looking at in terms of forecasting for looking at in terms of forecasting
• 49.920> from<01:40:50.119> our<01:40:50.280> forecasting do think from our forecasting

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities. Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years. MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're projected as of the November forecast to spend about $24 billion on the Medicaid program, 57% of
• We're projected as of the<00:03:33.599> November<00:03:34.000> forecast<00:03:34.480>
• The November 2025 forecast was updated accordingly.
• The November 2025 forecast was updated accordingly.
• We assumed in the forecast we would be able to implement those.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Department of Human Services briefed the committee on how the federal HR1 law will affect Minnesota Medicaid and related programs. Budget Director Elise Bailey said the 900-page bill makes sweeping changes that will reduce coverage, increase administrative complexity for counties and tribal governments, raise uncompensated care for providers, and reduce federal funding. She reviewed current Medicaid spending and enrollment, emphasizing that the largest impacts will fall on the adult expansion group (adults ages 21-64 without children), which currently receives a 90% federal match. Bailey walked through several major provisions: work and community engagement requirements for the adult expansion group beginning January 1, 2027; six-month renewals for that same group; shorter retroactive coverage periods; new cost-sharing requirements for expansion enrollees above 100% of poverty; narrower Medicaid eligibility for certain lawful noncitizens; limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments; a reduced federal match for emergency medical assistance; and tighter federal rules on payment error penalties. She said many provisions require state law changes and additional federal guidance, and she cited research from Georgia suggesting work requirements increased administrative burden and caused coverage losses without increasing employment. The department estimated fiscal effects including reduced Medicaid spending in some areas but higher state costs in others, such as MinnesotaCare, emergency medical assistance, administrative systems, and provider uncompensated care. Bailey said the immigration-status changes would shift some people from Medical Assistance to MinnesotaCare, and that provider-tax and state-directed-payment changes could reduce future funding to hospitals and other providers. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided; the presentation was informational and the department indicated it would return with proposed state-law language as needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I know we have a budget forecast coming out.
• opportunity um you know I know we have a opportunity um you know I know we have a budget<00:04:44.199> forecast
• 44.960> out<00:04:45.400> I<00:04:45.680> was<00:04:46.000> really budget forecast
• coming out I was really budget forecast coming out I was really trying<00:04:46.560> to<00:04

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 30.080> 180 Now, this is a change because in the past that debt was just absorbed into the forecast
• because we didn't think that we had actually given MMB the legal authorization to put it in the forecast
• the legal authorization to put it in MMB the legal authorization to put it in the<00:07:54.479> forecast
• 55.680> thought<00:07:55.840> it<00:07:56.000> was<00:07:56.160> just the forecast
• and we thought it was just the forecast and we thought it was just more<00:07:56.560> upfront

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the Governor's main concern is the short-term forecasting risk, and this is associated with a
• And we had a similar question in our analysis, and we looked at past deviations and forecasts.
• But if you're specifically concerned about this forecasting issue and this prior-year adjustment, then
• But if you're specifically concerned about this forecasting issue and this prior year adjustment, then
• So again, the short-term forecasting risk, you need a certain amount in 2025-26 to address that.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held its first hearing of the year on Proposition 98, focusing on the Governor’s budget estimates for the three-year budget window, the Public School System Stabilization Account (PSSA), and repayment of education deferrals. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee would rise by about $21.7 billion over the 2025 Budget Act, with increases in each year, full repayment of the existing settle-up obligation in 2024-25, a new $5.6 billion settle-up obligation proposed for 2025-26, and a higher guarantee in 2026-27. Finance also noted revised downward estimates for transitional kindergarten attendance and Los Angeles County property tax reimbursements, and said community colleges would be funded above the split because of enrollment growth. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized fiscal risk and volatility, warning that recent revenue gains are tied heavily to the stock market and tech sector and could reverse quickly. The LAO argued the Governor’s proposed $5.6 billion delay shifts risk into future years and recommended instead fully funding the current estimate, making a larger reserve deposit, considering advance payments or pension-related uses, and finding additional non-Prop 98 solutions to reduce the state’s structural deficit. On the reserve and deferral items, Finance described revised PSSA deposits and withdrawals that would leave about $4.1 billion in the reserve by 2026-27, and both Finance and the LAO supported paying off the remaining LCFF and SCFF deferrals as good fiscal practice. Committee members questioned the size of the settle-up amount, the degree of revenue volatility, the use of the reserve, and the ongoing K-12/community college split. Finance said the proposal is meant to avoid overappropriation if revenues fall, while the LAO said a buffer of roughly $3.5 billion would address typical forecasting risk. Public commenters, including school boards, county offices of education, teachers, and advocacy groups, largely opposed the $5.6 billion withholding or settle-up delay, calling it a manipulation of Prop. 98 and urging full funding and more stable revenue solutions. Several speakers also urged dedicated funding for students experiencing homelessness. The hearing ended with no vote, and the chair announced that broader program discussions would occur in later hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• by which projected revenues exceed 105% of projected expenditures, as determined by the November forecast
• by which projected revenues exceed 105% of projected expenditures, as determined by the November forecast
• projected expenditures as determined by the<00:02:17.360> November the November the November forecast
• 20.599> through<00:02:21.440> and<00:02:21.640> as<00:02:21.920> we're forecast
• as we go through and as we're forecast as we go through and as we're all<00:02:23.080> out<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4, first adopting the H004A1 amendment without objection. The author described the bill as a constitutional amendment intended to create a tax relief account funded from projected budget surpluses, defined as revenues exceeding 105% of projected expenditures based on the November forecast. Supporters framed the proposal as a way to return excess taxpayer money to families, homeowners, and seniors rather than allowing the state to retain or redirect it. Testimony in support came from Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity, who praised the bill’s clarity and argued that taxpayers are overburdened and should receive surplus funds back; she also suggested broader tax and budget reforms, including rate reductions and tighter spending limits. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project testified in opposition, saying the legislature already has authority to use surpluses for rebates or tax cuts and warning that constitutionalizing tax policy would reduce flexibility, weaken accountability, and make it harder to respond to changing conditions, emergencies, or recessions. Members then briefly commented, with Republicans expressing support for returning money to taxpayers and citing cost-of-living pressures and fixed incomes. The committee did not hear a formal department position. At the end of the hearing, Representative Johnson renewed the motion that House File 4, as amended, be recommended to pass and sent to the Ways and Means Committee; the motion prevailed on a voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a few months ago in May, Tourism Economics downgraded our forecasts for 2025.
• It's the only time, other than the pandemic, that we forecasted a year-over-year decline in visitation
• Through the first half of this year, we've outperformed that forecast, although international arrivals
• We did take a look at forecasting for 2025, and we had forecasted flat performance for San Diego tourism
• We pushed that back from previous forecasts. We thought 2026 would be our year.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• We talked about um<00:09:17.440> the<00:09:17.839> forecast<00:09:18.800> assumptions
• <00:09:19.440> of<00:09:19.680> a<00:09:19.839> bonding um the forecast assumptions
• of a bonding um the forecast assumptions of a bonding bill<00:09:20.399> of<00:09:20.720>
• is to display the numbers in a way that would be most easy for people to compare to the February forecast
• The February forecast presumed that we would spend 1.145 billion on discretionary inflation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all