Video & Transcript : 'tourism program' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/02/2026 - Senate Director Nominations

Director Nominations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And many of these tourism serves as one of the few industries generating meaningful economic Tourism
  • The first is the Office of Tourism is charged with analyzing tourism-related data to help stakeholders
  • Many destinations actually remark that without this specific program, they would have no tourism marketing
  • Our district relies on tourism, relies heavily on tourism from our small businesses, our restaurants,
  • of Tourism...”
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • And many of these tourism serves as one of the few industries generating meaningful economic Tourism
  • The first is the Office of Tourism is charged with analyzing tourism-related data to help stakeholders
  • Many destinations actually remark that without this specific program, they would have no tourism marketing
  • Our district relies on tourism, relies heavily on tourism from our small businesses, our restaurants,
  • of Tourism...”
Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations met to consider Alex Scalpsa Ridgeway’s nomination to serve as Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism. Chair Jay Kaufman opened with remarks about the committee’s role in reviewing nominees for fidelity to state law and executive accountability. Ridgeway gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior state service, and her view that tourism is a major economic driver for the state. She highlighted record visitation and spending, the importance of marketing the whole state, and efforts to expand social media, data use, and support for rural communities. Committee members questioned Ridgeway about the state of tourism, responsible visitor messaging, the need to market Arizona despite major attractions like the Grand Canyon, rural tourism strategies, international travel declines, return on investment for marketing, and how she would respond to unlawful or poor policy directives. She said she would always follow the law, would raise concerns about policy using data, and emphasized an activity-based marketing strategy focused on family travel, outdoor recreation, cultural travel, culinary, wellness, and luxury. She also discussed conflict-of-interest safeguards, said she would support more transparency and checks and balances, and noted plans to explore AI and other technology to improve efficiency. Public testimony strongly supported the nominee. Representatives from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, the Cactus League Baseball Association, and Experience Scottsdale praised Ridgeway’s experience, leadership, and collaborative approach, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance statewide. The committee then moved to recommend her confirmation. The motion passed 5-0, and Chair Kaufman congratulated Ridgeway on the committee’s approval and adjourned the meeting.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session May 20th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We recognize the Sam Houston Austin Internship Program since 2022.
  • No, just from this program. Okay, thank you. Mr. Leone sends up an amendment.
  • It seems like a Biden agenda program.
  • Do you know when this program was created? I do not. This program was created in 2015.
  • One is I oppose loan forgiveness programs generally.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN-WTL-EDT-EIG, WTL-AEN Public Hearings 03-19-2025

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • They do have a component of agricultural tourism, and they are part of the non-agricultural park program
  • They do have a component of agricultural tourism, and they are part of the non-agricultural park program
  • They do have a component of agricultural tourism, and they are part of the non-agricultural park program
  • They do have a component of agricultural tourism, and they are part of the non-agricultural park program
  • They do have a component of agricultural tourism, and they are part of the non-agricultural park program
Summary: The joint committees met on March 19, 2025, to hear HB 966 HD2, which would create statewide standards for agricultural tourism in counties that adopt ag-tourism ordinances. The bill would require registration with county planning departments, require ag-tourism to remain tied to an active farming operation, and end the activity when the agricultural use stops except in limited circumstances. Testimony from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kualoa Ranch, and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with several witnesses emphasizing that agritourism can help farm viability, food security, and public education about agriculture. The Hawaii Farm Bureau and several other testifiers supported agritourism but urged strong guardrails, minimal statewide standards, and deference to county home rule. They said agriculture should remain the primary activity, warned against adding burdens to farmers and ranchers, and suggested better enforcement and agricultural expertise within county planning departments. Phil Weber and others argued for objective standards, such as minimum revenue or work-performed thresholds, annual reporting, and clearer compliance tools, and cautioned that the bill’s termination exemption could be too broad if not tightened. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on whether the bill should apply to Department of Agriculture lands, especially ag park lands, and to DLNR lands. Department of Agriculture staff explained that ag park lands currently do not allow agritourism, while non-ag park lands under Act 90 allow limited related activity tied to farm production, with revenue limits and other conditions. Members and witnesses debated how to define and measure agritourism, how to enforce county rules, and whether to exempt ag park parcels or otherwise clarify that existing DOA rules would control. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the chair requested follow-up language from DOA to address possible exemptions and clarify the bill’s application.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Last year, this program distributed $2 million from the 1% funds to 87 local tourism commissions to assist
  • </c> funds program.
  • Last year, this program funds program.
  • Each year as part of our research program, the Department of Tourism commissions a study on our advertising
  • </c> program, the Department of Tourism program, the Department of Tourism commissions<00:12:59.440><
Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% Tourism Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund. Officials said Kentucky tourism is a $14.3 billion industry that welcomed more than 80 million travelers last year, supports nearly 97,000 jobs, and uses the fund solely for tourism marketing and promotion, not capital projects. They noted the fund received additional appropriations in the enacted budget and also supports several designated tourism-related initiatives. Commissioner Mike Manet described how the fund is used for paid media, public relations, international marketing, cultural heritage promotion, website content, regional matching grants, research, trade shows, and travel expenses. He said the department spent $10.8 million on paid media in 23 markets in 2024, focused on seven tourism pillars, and used research and advertising ROI studies to guide spending. He reported 180 PR placements, 3.2 billion earned impressions, 3% growth in international visitation, and 12% growth in international spending to $257 million. He also highlighted the African-American Heritage Trail and said the regional matching funds program distributed $2 million to 87 local tourism commissions. Members asked about the rise of AI in search results, how domestic and international visitor data are collected, how ad agencies are selected, and how regional matching funds are allocated. The commissioner said the department uses GPS-based and federal data, including National Travel and Tourism Office figures, and that ad agencies are chosen through an RFP process. Representative McDaniel raised concerns about bourbon tourism and Canadian visitation; the commissioner said Canadian travel is down significantly, bourbon-related visitation has softened, and the department is shifting more spending toward in-state and closer drive markets while emphasizing bourbon’s heritage story. Representative Fugate asked about eastern Kentucky tourism and ATV trails, and the commissioner said those trails are included in advertising, social media, and earned media efforts. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Tourism Mar 11th, 2026

Special Committee on Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Missouri Tourism Commission is the group of The Missouri Tourism Commission is the group of advocates
  • And this is, the co-op program is the second largest investment behind our general marketing program
  • Sports tourism and youth sports tourism is huge, and we certainly want to capitalize on that as much
  • So that cooperative marketing program is, again, that matching funds program that we administer.
  • It's half the cost for their entire program, the DMO destination marketing organization's entire program
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Tourism Mar 11th, 2026

Special Committee on Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Missouri Tourism Commission is the group of The Missouri Tourism Commission is the group of advocates
  • Tourism is big business. We all know it's fun.
  • And this is, the co-op program is the second largest investment behind our general marketing program
  • Sports tourism and youth sports tourism is huge, and we certainly want to capitalize on that as much
  • So that cooperative marketing program is, again, that matching funds program that we administer.
Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met in executive session and approved three House bills: HB 2307, designating Missouri Military Academy as the official military academy of Missouri, passed 10-0; HB 3264, designating Kansas City as the barbecue capital of Missouri, passed 10-0; HB 1960, naming the smooth chanterelle the official state mushroom, passed 9-1; and HB 3074, establishing William Lacey Clay Senior Day in Missouri, passed 10-0. After the executive session, the committee opened a public hearing on HCR 36, which would designate June 3 as Josephine Baker Day in Missouri. The sponsor and a witness described Baker’s St. Louis roots, international entertainment career, service in the French Resistance, civil rights work, and her significance to Missouri heritage and tourism. Committee members voiced strong support and asked questions about her legacy, including her adopted children and her role as a model for Black women and civil rights advocacy. The committee then heard a presentation from Stephen Fouts, director of the Missouri Division of Tourism, on the state’s tourism marketing efforts and economic impact. He said tourism generated more than $21 billion in economic impact, over $18 billion in direct spending, and supported more than 307,000 jobs, with more than 43 million visitors in the last fiscal year. He outlined the division’s marketing strategy, including the Mo character campaign, cooperative marketing grants for local DMOs, the Meet in Missouri Fund, film incentives, and major event promotion tied to the World Cup, Route 66 Centennial, and America 250. He also reported strong returns on marketing investment and discussed sports tourism, youth sports, and the importance of the cooperative marketing program to local communities. A major topic of discussion was the possibility of significant budget cuts to tourism. The chair and several members argued that tourism is a major economic driver and said they would oppose deep reductions, with multiple members offering to sign a committee letter or otherwise advocate against cuts. Members asked how reductions would affect marketing, sports tourism, and the cooperative marketing program; Fouts said large cuts would likely reduce co-op funding proportionally and could harm local partners. No final action was taken on HCR 36 during the hearing, and the meeting adjourned after testimony and discussion.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Senate May 5th, 2026

Louisiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now, these programs are spread across multiple agencies.
  • We have shifted some programs in his bill from the Board of Regents to different places.
  • We have shifted some programs in his bill from border regions to different places.
  • In fact, just last week, LDH announced a program.
  • Just last week, LDH announced a program called Ascend, and it's going to be a very comprehensive program
Bills: SB524 , SR108 , SR109 , SCR56 , SCR57 , SCR12 , HB227 , HB398 , HB689 , HB897 , HB1029 , HB1107 , HB1217 , HB221 , HCR58 , HB136 , SB162 , SB382 , SCR33 , SCR30 , SB112 , SB194 , SB307 , SB341 , SB346 , SB363 , SB495 , SB503 , SB507 , SB509 , SB513 , SB408 , SB131 , SB145 , SB333 , SB464 , SB466 , SB500 , SB283 , SB338 , SB488 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB228 , SB246 , SB249 , SB268 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB312 , SB319 , SB323 , SB369 , SB431 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB501 , HCR14 , HB537 , HB652 , HB653 , HB661 , HB726 , HB756 , HB851 , HB964 , HB966 , HB34 , HB35 , HB48 , HB474 , HB553 , HB758 , HB852 , HB10 , HB16 , HB36 , HB44 , HB46 , HB52 , HB61 , HB78 , HB98 , HB102 , HB124 , HB126 , HB131 , HB135 , HB141 , HB142 , HB164 , HB170 , HB171 , HB179 , HB194 , HB231 , HB245 , HB280 , HB292 , HB294 , HB297 , HB305 , HB336 , HB337 , HB351 , HB436 , HB594 , HB789 , HB956 , HB957 , HB995 , HB1040 , HB50 , HB117 , HB120 , HB122 , HB139 , HB148 , HB149 , HB185 , HB199 , HB247 , HB271 , HB286 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB842 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1071 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB119 , HB129 , HB677 , HB850 , SB68 , SB149
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (04/07/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill just inverts that tourism.
  • This program is a matching program.
  • </c> tourism and its tourism partners tourism and its tourism partners statewide<00:17:33.120><c> can
  • So, the tourism saw big decreases.
  • </c> some of our other programs. some of our other programs.
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2. Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles. Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • , that represents all the tourism segments and all 12 tourism regions in California.
  • We did that through culinary tourism.
  • Their programs help me increase my budget to be able to piggyback off of many of their programs.
  • To stay competitive with other markets, hotels rely on tourism promotion and discount programs.
  • Tourism promotion and discount programs have become increasingly complicated to implement and now face
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.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • . tourism. tourism. uh<00:11:29.120><c> establishes</c><00:11:29.839><c> a</c><00:11:30.079><c> statewide
  • </c> agricultural tourism activi tourist agricultural tourism activi tourist activities<00:11:42.640>
  • Support a tourism as long as that it is Support a tourism as long as that it is secondary<00:14:19.839
  • can</c><00:14:46.000><c> help</c><00:14:46.160><c> our</c> a tourism again a tourism can help our a tourism
  • state sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic
Bills: SB2359 , SB2169 , SB2170 , SB2263 , SB2360 , SB3084
Committee: House Tourism
Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems heard House Bill 2585 on agricultural tourism. The bill would create statewide uniform standards for agritourism in counties that adopt such ordinances, require registration with county planning departments, and require agritourism to remain secondary and accessory to farming. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity supported the measure but recommended amendments to make the language more consistent and to ensure agritourism remains tied to agricultural activity; the Hawaii Farm Bureau also supported the bill with the same general guardrails, while the White Tourism Authority offered comments. A member raised concerns about a trailer/roadside-stand provision, and the department ultimately said it did not support that specific language. The chairs then recommended passage with amendments, including a definition of principal farm operations, clarification that agritourism must not interfere with on-farm operations, revised termination rules after 60 consecutive days without active production with notice and cure procedures, restoration of the department’s proposed change to the trailer language, and technical corrections. HB 2585 passed both committees unanimously with excused members noted. The committees then heard House Bill 2602 on sustainable tourism infrastructure, which would establish a matching grant program in the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism for capital projects that improve sustainability and climate resilience in the visitor industry. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii testified in support. The chair recommended passage with a committee report note estimating a roughly $5 million cost and a date correction, and both committees adopted the recommendation unanimously. House Bill 1948 on single-use plastics was also heard. It would prohibit lodging establishments from providing certain personal care products in small plastic containers and impose civil penalties. The Department of Land and Natural Resources stood on its testimony, and the Department of Health supported the waste-reduction goal but suggested the language belonged in a different chapter. The chair recommended an HD1 that would omit lotions from the definition of personal care products, adopt the Department of Health’s proposed clarification about reusable containers, and correct the date; the measure passed both committees unanimously. Finally, House Bill 1960 on human trafficking was heard. The bill would require the Attorney General to develop human trafficking awareness training for transit accommodation workers, require employers to provide training, keep records, post signage, adopt prevention policies, and report suspected trafficking, with penalties and rulemaking by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The Department of Labor Relations supported the intent but said the Department of Law Enforcement should be the lead agency, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance strongly supported the bill while asking for amendments to recognize existing industry programs and apply the requirements equitably. The chair recommended an HD1 incorporating a July 1, 2027 deadline for training materials and employer training, adopting the hotel industry and DLE-related amendments, and making technical corrections; HB 1960 passed both committees unanimously.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So for the biofertilizer program, we opened that program and we received many applications.
  • </c> Bofuel sales volume incentive program Bofuel sales volume incentive program established.
  • enrollment in the program.
  • enrollment in the program.
  • And in this program, and by the way, that infrastructure program is a biannually approved program which
Bills: HF3898 , HF3957 , HF4372 , HF4350 , HF3692 , HF4085
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so, we're working on that program to do the pre-payment review for high-risk programs in the fee-for-service
  • </c> modifying or terminating a program. modifying or terminating a program.
  • ,</c><00:25:47.800><c> please</c> residential service programs, please residential service programs,
  • </c><00:29:56.280><c> because</c> decision to close programs because decision to close programs because
  • <c> is</c> for kids receiving this program is for kids receiving this program is highly<01:06:30.280>
Bills: HF4491 , HF4338 , HF4288 , HF4566
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Public Safety REVISED Feb 24th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is not taken out of that program, for instance.
  • That program is under the supervision of the Department of Corrections.
  • For the sake of clarity, I will use it was released on the electronic monitoring program.
  • , and so we're also delaying their ability to get into these programs before they're unprocessed.
  • even while they're awaiting community program.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House Appropriations

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's basically a reinsurance program for them.
  • This is a pilot program.
  • The goal with this program is education.
  • It should be opt out like this program is.
  • Yeah, I love the effort of the program.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/17/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Queen Creek put money into this program? Do you want to defer? Apparently not.
  • What makes this... ...accommodation and money in their programs.
  • and repeals the program on January 1, 2029.
  • Yeah, this has AZPOST do it pilot program for a more expansive stress program for police that are involved
  • It is... ...just the best way, and this program recognizes that grant programs that just give money to
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 6th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • DCYF is to contract for the operation of the program, and they may operate part of the program that is
  • It builds on a proven program that has worked for decades, allowing limited resources to program, it
  • scale up the program.
  • We also see this program as complementary to the many programs state and local partners are engaged in
  • And we also see this program as complementary to the many programs state and local partners are engaged
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Feb 4th, 2026

Commerce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Commerce and Tourism will now come to order. Renea, please call the roll.
  • You asked about examples of tax incentive programs.
  • I'm a product of an apprenticeship program. It was life-changing for me. To secure work for us.
  • I'm a product of an apprenticeship program. It was life-changing for me.
  • I am a journeyman wireman, trained by a registered apprenticeship program through the contractors who
Bills: S0198 , S0422 , S1236 , S1356 , S1456 , S1722