Transcript Highlights:

• c> doc</c> supportive Arts programming in the doc supportive Arts programming in the doc the<00:14:39.160
• and do art and have others who were not part of the program to be a part of their program.
• and do art and have others who were not part of the program to be a part of their program.
• and do art and have others who were not part of the program to be a part of their program.
• As you can see on the next slide, our Class Notes program is one of the gems of our arts programming,

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Programs.
• So federal funds tend to fund very specific programs.
• We have provided the department with some public...
• We own Wet Paint Art Supply on Grand Avenue in St.
• We have a close relationship with the art and art education community, locally and nationally, and with

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The original Council's initiatives, including the Arts and Corrections program, which invests in the
• Arts Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate not only the great leadership of the California Arts
• legacy of boundless creativity and public access to the arts in his own career as a sculptor.
• Continued on her legacy of boundless creativity and public access to the arts.
• It's really important to know about art as also there's people's art.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's a strong demand for the shows, for the programming, and for better arts infrastructure.
• </c> programming, and for better arts programming, and for better arts infrastructure.<00:07:43.680><
• </c> market issues for Lexington with arts. market issues for Lexington with arts.
• bring people to Lexington to be able to access this program and the shows and the arts.
• </c> program are our summer aviation camps. program are our summer aviation camps.

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development and Tourism met to hear presentations on a proposed downtown Lexington Arts Center. Visit Lex opened by framing the projects as regional economic development efforts that could support tourism, quality of life, and workforce attraction and retention. NextStage Development Corp. and ATG Entertainment then described a proposed $120 million project featuring a 2,500-seat performing arts center and a 20,000-square-foot visual arts gallery, with plans for up to 180 events a year, over 300,000 annual visitors, and an opening target of 2029. The presenters said the project would be funded through a $30 million state request, $30 million from ATG Entertainment, and $60 million raised by the nonprofit through philanthropy and other financing sources. They cited a feasibility study by Sound Diplomacy and compared the proposal to the Durham Performing Arts Center, arguing that similar venues have driven downtown revitalization, tourism, and economic activity in other cities. They also said the venue would include community access, school partnerships, subsidized tickets, and revenue returned to the nonprofit for grants and arts programming. Members asked about the total cost, the funding mix, whether the city of Lexington would contribute, and the building’s design. The presenters said they are in contact with city officials and are seeking city support, but have not yet hired an architect or begun conceptual design. They said the design process will involve community input and should fit Lexington’s historic downtown character. Representative Whitten asked whether the project would compete with Louisville; the presenters responded that their market analysis suggests the venue would serve audiences from Lexington, eastern Kentucky, and surrounding areas who are unlikely to travel to Louisville or Cincinnati, making the project complementary rather than competitive.

Transcript Highlights:

• The original Council's initiatives, including the Arts and Corrections program, which invests in the
• Arts Month gives us the opportunity to celebrate not only the great leadership of the California Arts
• her legacy of boundless creativity and public access to the arts in his own career as a sculptor.
• It's really important to know about art as also there's people's art.
• It's really important to know about art as also there's people's art.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, including a remembrance of the 111th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The chamber then took up Senate Resolution 87 by Senator Archuleta, which recognized April 24 as the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and emphasized historical remembrance, support for Armenian communities, and concern over ongoing threats and humanitarian issues affecting Armenians. Several senators spoke in support, and the resolution was adopted by a 37-0 vote. Senator Archuleta then introduced members of the Armenian community in the gallery. The Senate also adopted several other resolutions honoring communities and causes. Senator Cortese presented SR 93 honoring Jim Plunkett’s football career and his role as a trailblazing Latino athlete; senators highlighted his Heisman Trophy, Super Bowl wins, and pending Hispanic Football Hall of Fame recognition, and the resolution passed unanimously. Senator Wiener presented SCR 124 on transportation access for Californians with epilepsy, focusing on how seizure-related driving restrictions can limit employment, education, and medical care; it was adopted unanimously. Senator Allen presented SCR 158 declaring April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month and marking the 50th anniversary of the California Arts Council, with remarks celebrating the state’s arts economy and longtime arts leaders; it also passed unanimously. Later, Senator Alvarado-Gil presented SCR 159 designating April as California Rodeo Appreciation Month, describing the history, cultural significance, diversity, and economic role of rodeo in California. Supportive remarks followed from another senator, and the resolution was adopted unanimously. The author then introduced rodeo guests, including athletes and rodeo association leaders. The Senate also heard multiple privileges-of-the-floor introductions, including arts figures such as Luis Valdez, Cheech Marin, and Ruth Asawa’s son Paul Lanier, as well as student and community guests. The chamber approved the consent calendar by a 38-0 vote, noted committee meetings for Human Services, Military and Veterans, and Privacy, and adjourned with the next floor session scheduled for April 23, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state arts heritage, 180 million.
• </c> our habitats, and then arts and culture. our habitats, and then arts and culture.
• </c><00:04:51.120><c> projects</c> some great um great art projects some great um great art projects
• ,</c> million for statewide history programs, million for statewide history programs, 5.7<00:10:31.839
• for Minnesota Public Television.

Summary: House File 2563, the Omnibus Legacy Bill, was presented as a roughly $779 million package funding projects across Minnesota through the four Legacy funds: Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Chairs Vang and McDonald described the bill as a responsible one-time spending measure with no ongoing base funding, emphasizing habitat restoration, water protection, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the spreadsheet, explaining that the bill largely follows the recommendations of the relevant councils and governor, with some additions such as a Wilderness Inquiry partnership, an Ash River sewer extension, competitive grant funding, and several arts and history projects. Staff highlighted the major allocations and structure of the bill: Outdoor Heritage funding for land and habitat projects, Clean Water funding for water-quality work, Parks and Trails funding following the traditional 40-40-20 split, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for the State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Humanities Center, Indian Affairs Council, Department of Education, and other recipients. They also noted policy provisions requiring Clean Water Council recommendations to be broken out by fiscal year, requiring recent 990 forms for arts grantees, limiting arts funds from being used for capital construction except in specified cases, and extending a prior appropriation for the Sunni Lee memorial project. Members asked about land acquisition, the new 990 requirement, and reduced funding for children’s museums; chairs and staff responded that Outdoor Heritage includes land acquisition, the 990 is simply a documentation requirement, and children’s museum funding is lower because more money is now placed in a competitive grant pool. The chairs said the bill reflects compromise and an effort to keep the bill relatively clean of earmarks, while also noting that a Department of Revenue transfer of more than $31 million from legacy funds affected available funding and forced difficult choices. After discussion, the committee laid the bill over, with the chair noting it was also being done in honor of Representative Mary Murphy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arts programs cultivate creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills, all of which are essential
• Arts programs cultivate creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills, all of which are essential
• Additionally, this investment will provide students with access to arts programming that they might not
• Arts programs cultivate creativity years Arts programs cultivate creativity problem<00:18:31.840><c>
• </c> provide students with access to Arts provide students with access to Arts programming<00:19:36.679

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Aligning the definition of arts education with California's adopted arts standards and arts education
• or credential programs.
• This would have just offered the teacher credential programs for up to 40 programs, but programs that
• program to match that field.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Very good program.
• of arts programs, engaging and inspiring students and teaching them creative thinking skills.
• of arts programs, engaging and inspiring students and teaching them creative thinking skills.
• </c><01:03:04.960><c> programs,</c><01:03:06.079><c> engaging</c> in a variety of arts programs, engaging
• in a variety of arts programs, engaging and<01:03:06.880><c> inspiring</c><01:03:07.520><c> students

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. During second reading, several bills and a joint resolution were reported to the Rules Committee, including measures on trauma center provider coverage, cremation, public library trustees, local occupational license fees and taxes, and a food-is-medicine resolution. The House also communicated passage of House Bills 176, 178, and 280 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced Senate Bill 39, Senate Bill 181 with a committee substitute, Senate Bill 17 with a committee substitute and title amendment, and Senate Bill 34. The chamber then took up and passed Senate Bill 13, which would allow military installations to have ex officio representation on nearby planning and zoning bodies to improve communication about land use near bases. It passed 37-0. Senate Bill 46, concerning school transportation, was amended by committee substitute to require background checks and drug testing for drivers of school vans and to extend van use to 10-passenger vehicles; it passed 37-0 after a brief clarification about the amendment’s display in the system. Senate Bill 22, expanding the dual credit scholarship program to support a teacher apprenticeship pathway, was amended to require a 2.75 GPA and then passed 36-1 after questions about employment status and liability; the sponsor explained it would help address teacher shortages and reduce student debt. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 90, which extends the behavioral health conditional dismissal pilot program from 2027 to 2031 to continue offering treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for eligible low-level offenders; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 51, a proposed constitutional change to freeze property tax assessment increases for homeowners age 65 and older on their primary residence, also passed 37-0. Senate Bill 30 was passed over but retained its place in the orders of the day. The rules committee later posted Senate Bills 27, 40, and 76 for the next day, and the Committee on Committees referred Senate Bill 109 to Licensing and Occupations, Senate Bill 68 to State and Local Government, and Senate Resolutions 45 and 46 to the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• CalVet has a home loan program.
• the Manufacturing program was placed within the Department of Public Health where it could draw on expertise
• Cohort 2 program.
• And as a state agency, we support local arts infrastructure programs.
• Programming statewide through grants, programs, and services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next program I'll talk about is. called the Arts Respond Performance Support.
• for the public.
• The fourth and final of our program units is the Talking Book Program.
• Program.
• program similar to the film and music programs.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• National Pop Art Day. Pop art. National Pop Art Day. Pop art, yes.
• We did some arts. We had a little cafe.
• taxpayer value and public trust.
• I'm the director of Arts Washington, your Washington State Arts Commission, and my thanks to all of you
• I think bringing more dollars into the program—this program is a self-assessment, and bringing in tax

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade, and Economic Development Committee heard several public hearings on consumer protection and business regulation bills. Senate Bill 6175, the WAVE Act on ticket sales, would create licensing and enforcement rules for ticket resellers, require all-in pricing and refunds, cap resale prices and fees at 110% of the original ticket price, and prohibit speculative ticketing and deceptive practices, with exemptions for some events such as agricultural fairs and sports. The sponsor and many arts, venue, labor, and consumer advocates said the bill would curb bots, fake websites, and predatory markups that harm fans and nonprofit venues; opponents from resale platforms and industry groups argued it would restrict legitimate resale, reduce consumer choice, and push transactions into less regulated channels. Public testimony was extensive and sharply divided, but no committee vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6230, which would require cash transactions to be rounded to the nearest five-cent increment in light of the federal decision to stop minting pennies. Retail and grocery groups generally supported the bill but asked for amendments to protect against audit and consumer-protection liability, preserve acceptance of exact change, and avoid conflicts with local ordinances and SNAP rules. The bill sponsor said the measure is meant to give businesses a clear framework for cash rounding, and staff noted the Department of Revenue would issue a revised fiscal note with minimal costs. Senate Bill 6312, concerning surveillance-based pricing in grocery establishments, would require posted prices, prohibit individualized surveillance pricing and surge pricing, and place a moratorium on electronic shelf labels in larger stores until 2030. Labor and privacy advocates supported the bill as a way to stop AI-driven price discrimination and protect workers and consumers, while retail and grocery associations and an ESL manufacturer warned the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally affect loyalty programs, discounts, and operational efficiency. After testimony, the committee suspended the five-day notice rule for the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6149 on the definition of a rural county and Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, with testimony on the latter split between industry support for adopting a model act and state agency concerns about adjuster licensing and preserving Washington consumer and anti-discrimination protections. In executive session, the committee considered Senate Bill 6061 on the tourism self-assessment program and Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. The committee rejected an amendment to SB 6061 that would have allowed voluntary local tourism contributions, then advanced the bill with a due pass recommendation. It also advanced SB 6137 with a due pass recommendation. The meeting concluded after those votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the California Program Director for Defenders of Wildlife.
• and culture program. in the Governor's budget has been our arts and culture programs.
• In 2015, the state passed AB 819, which directed the Arts Council to create a cultural districts program
• This program is growing.
• district, the Black cultural art district.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, AAS has lost more than $300,000 in federal support when national arts and health programs like
• when national arts and health programs<01:01:52.000><c> like</c><01:01:52.160><c> the</c><01:01:52.319
• We are transitioning our art and music programs to the newly opened YMCA Community Resource Center in
• We are transitioning our art and music programs to the newly opened YMCA Community Resource Center in
• </c><02:43:49.920><c> These</c> programs. I mean for this program. These programs.

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and Deployment program.
• It's for $79,000. program.
• We do have an evaluator with our program that evaluates all of our programs.
• We do have an evaluator with our program that evaluates all of our programs.
• Arts Absolutely, Arts Absolutely, it's formerly Brandon House Arts, and they are located off of Green

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• He is the arts manager for Sacramento, so responsible for all art and public places across our city and
• My name is Donald Gessler, and I'm the Art and Public Places manager for the city of Sacramento.
• Our internationally recognized art and public places program was established in 1977 and hires artists
• We love what public art... ...public art can be able to do to brighten up a neighborhood and really express
• We love what public art. government like you, we love our placemaking.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard SB 456 by Senator Ashby, the Community Beautification Act, which would create an exemption allowing muralists to do commissioned mural work without obtaining a contractor’s license. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify existing law, preserve public art and placemaking projects, and still leave in place applicable safety, permitting, and contract requirements. Support testimony came from the City of Sacramento’s arts manager and muralist Jaya King, who described mural projects as fine art and community engagement rather than construction, and from numerous local governments and arts organizations, including the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County, Sacramento, Stockton, Glendale, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Riverside, Escondido, and the California Travel Association. Opposition centered on concerns that the exemption could weaken consumer protections in contractor licensing law. One member of the public argued that mural projects can involve construction-related work such as surface preparation and installation, and that licensing requirements, down payments, insurance, and background checks protect consumers and should not be bypassed. A representative of the State Building and Construction Trades also expressed concerns but said the author’s office had been engaged and a follow-up meeting was scheduled. Several committee members spoke in favor, saying murals are clearly public art and an important part of neighborhood identity and local culture. The chair and other members described the bill as a common-sense clarification that would reduce barriers for artists and cities seeking to permit mural projects. The committee then voted 9-0 to pass SB 456 and re-refer it to the Business and Professions Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• of course, our daily programs celebrating Latino arts and culture.
• None of this would have happened without public media and the KPBS Explore program.
• In 1970, National Public Radio was founded as a public radio program service.
• Broadcasting Service to interconnect public television stations and distribute programming.
• In 1970, National Public Radio was founded as a public radio program service.

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• and culture program.
• In the Governor's budget has been our arts and culture programs.
• In 2015, the state passed AB 819, which directed the Arts Council to create a cultural districts program
• This program is growing.
• district, the Black cultural art district.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee heard several bills, mostly related to Proposition 19, voluntary tax checkoffs, and local tax authority. SB 288 would clarify that the one-year residency and exemption deadline for inherited homes held in probate begins when legal ownership is established; it received support from the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and others, no opposition, and was referred to suspense. SB 974 would explicitly include special needs trusts in Prop. 19-related inheritance rules; it had support from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and passed 5-0 to Appropriations as amended. The committee also heard SB 575, which would restore the Sea Otter Voluntary Contribution Fund for voluntary tax return donations to sea otter conservation. Supporters cited sea otter recovery, research, and habitat protection needs; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. SB 999 would delay the Franchise Tax Board’s annual report on the health care individual mandate from March 1 to June 1 to allow more complete data; Health Access California supported it, and it passed 5-1 to Appropriations. SB 762 would authorize certain cities and counties, including Hercules, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara, to seek voter approval for local transaction and use taxes to address budget pressures, public safety, infrastructure, and safety-net service cuts. Local officials, labor groups, and health advocates supported it, while the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association opposed it; the committee adopted the urgency clause and then passed the bill to Local Government with urgency, with some no votes. SB 1073 would create a voluntary tax contribution fund to support the Historic South Los Angeles Black Cultural District; arts advocates and community supporters backed it, and the bill passed unanimously to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, thank you. paying public transportation costs uh it paying public transportation costs uh it seems
• </c> um articulating the um uh performing art um articulating the um uh performing art special<00:32:
• Summer Streets, the pilot program that is proposed here, we have given examples of other programs that
• Summer Streets, the pilot program that is proposed here, we have given examples of other programs that
• Chair, thank you. the program um the award selection the program um the award selection committee<00:

Summary: The joint committees heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 1480 on transportation and road usage charging. Supporters included the Department of Transportation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, county representatives, and the Tax Foundation, while an automotive industry witness opposed the bill, arguing it would be unfair to rural drivers and those with longer commutes. Committee discussion focused on equity, rural impacts, and whether the measure should be tied to future rail funding. The committees ultimately recommended SB 1480 pass with amendments, including broadening allowable uses of funds, clarifying language on infrastructure and safety, addressing motor scooters, and striking a proposed new subaccount; the recommendation was adopted by both committees, with one no vote in TCA. For SB 970 on taxation, the Tax Foundation said the employer transit tax credit would be more efficient as a direct subsidy program, and the Department of Taxation recommended several changes, including a sunset date of December 31, 2030, anti-double-benefit language, deletion of certain reporting requirements, and an effective date of December 31, 2025. The department estimated the bill would reduce revenues by about $11.6 million over the four-year period it would be in effect. The committees moved SB 970 forward with amendments to include bike share in the credit and add a defective date, leaving the department’s suggested changes for later consideration; the recommendation was adopted. The committees also advanced SB 1008 on parking and SB 1088 on electric vehicle charging infrastructure without amendments. DCAB strongly supported SB 1008, saying it would help counties enforce accessible parking design requirements, and noted a related bill without the EV portion. SB 1088 drew broad support from the Public Utilities Commission, State Energy Office, county and advocacy groups, and individuals; one question raised whether the bill should sunset, but the response was that Hawaii still lacks sufficient EV charging infrastructure and the measure expands eligibility for affordable housing. Both bills were recommended to pass unamended and the recommendations were adopted. The Transportation and Culture and Arts committee then heard SB 1011 on the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program, with testimony in strong support from individuals and the State Archivist, who suggested preserving award recipients’ archives, photos, oral histories, and clippings. The committee also heard SB 441 on the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, with support from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaii Theatre Center, musicians, and others emphasizing cultural value, workforce stability, and statewide access to the arts. The transcript then moved to SB 1581 on the Hawaii Japan Pacific Peace Monument and SB 1577 relating to the State Foundation on the Arts; on SB 1577, the Attorney General warned that using the Works of Special Art Fund for operating purposes could jeopardize the tax-exempt status of related bonds and recommended deleting section five, while also pointing to the Performing Arts Special Fund as an alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here are just a few samples of the variety of arts, information, and music programs that we cover.
• , civic information, and, of course, our daily programs celebrating Latino arts and culture.
• None of this would have happened without public media and KPBS's Explore program.
• None of this would have happened without public media and KPBS Explorer program.
• In 1970, National Public Radio was founded as a public radio program service.

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Summary: Assembly Member Chris Ward and Senator Akela Weber Pearson convened an informational hearing at KPBS and San Diego State University on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media. Opening remarks emphasized public media’s role in education, local news, arts and culture, emergency alerts, and service to rural and underserved communities, with local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voicing support. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, and Rebuild Local News described major operational and content impacts from the funding loss, including layoffs, reduced staff and programming, threatened children’s and educational content, and pressure on smaller stations that rely heavily on CPB support. They also discussed public media’s role in disaster response, local arts coverage, and the shrinking local news ecosystem, while noting possible responses such as shared services, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and state policy support. A second panel focused on labor and production perspectives. NPR veteran Jack Speer and filmmaker Nate Dappen said the cuts threaten journalism jobs, documentary production, and science programming, and warned that fewer resources mean less fact-checking, less on-the-ground reporting, and weaker public understanding of science and technology. They urged continued support for public media as a trusted, noncommercial source of information. The final panel featured KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR. KPBS said federal funding made up 12% of its budget and that reserves have only delayed possible future reorganization; Radio Bilingüe reported losses to both CPB and FEMA-related infrastructure funding affecting Spanish- and indigenous-language service; and KVPR said it lost CPB and FEMA grants but offset the loss through an emergency fundraising drive. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with questions about state policy options and future support.