Transcript Highlights:

• She's actively involved in statewide healthcare leadership, including service with the Oklahoma Healthcare
• after high school are to finish boot camp in July and attend the University of Oklahoma, getting my tourism
• Economic development, workforce, tourism, we'll meet 15 minutes after the start of Judiciary.
• meet as soon as practicable after Judiciary starts and after economic development or Workforce and tourism

Bills: SB843 , SB1733 , SB1476 , SB1237 , SB1410 , SB1894 , SB1272 , SB1204 , SB1721 , SB1725 , SB1735 , SB1337 , SB1339 , SB1461 , SB1975 , SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182 , SB392 , SB985 , SB1265 , SB1283 , SB1441 , SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696 , SB1870 , SB1722 , SB1639 , SB715 , SB716 , SB182 , SB609 , SB169 , SB134 , SB1611 , SB432 , SB1407 , SB2039 , SB1356 , SB1288 , SB2019 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2118

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Transcript Highlights:

• This morning's joint hearing on the House Committee on Tourism and the Committee on Water and Land.
• On behalf of the Committee on Tourism, I have myself as Vice Chair Templo and Representative Ilagan.
• Next up, we have the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, not present.
• Next up, we have the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, not present.
• Sure, okay, um, we'll start with the community on tourism members. Any questions?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• one, the mission of school, is to develop friendships and common purposes between members of the tourism
• industry and foster goodwill through international tourism.
• industry and foster goodwill through international tourism.
• We talk about tourism, and I look at my district that has, you know, we have the Perrine Bridge, we have
• the folks that I worship with on a regular basis will be thrilled to join in on this particular activity

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:11.760><c> funding</c> because the travel and tourism funding because the travel and tourism
• </c> resulted in the travel and tourism resulted in the travel and tourism appropriation<00:18:26.960
• </c> floor for the travel and tourism floor for the travel and tourism appropriation<00:18:40.880><c>
• </c><00:19:22.360><c> budget</c> the travel and tourism budget the travel and tourism budget calculation
• ,</c> appropriation to travel and tourism, appropriation to travel and tourism, we're<00:20:01.960><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 63, which concerns funding for the division of travel and tourism and its relationship to the meals-and-rooms tax calculation. Members asked for confirmation that the bill would not affect municipal distributions under RSA 78-A:26. Jennifer Ramsey of the Department of Revenue Administration explained that the amendment does not change meals-and-rooms distributions, but instead corrects the calculation for the travel and tourism appropriation by adding back the municipal fund transfer before applying the 3.15% floor. Chris Shay of the Office of the Attorney General agreed with that explanation. The committee also discussed the complexity of the meals-and-rooms statutes and the possibility of a future cleanup effort. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 63 ought to pass; it will not go on consent because it has a fiscal note. The committee next considered SB 60, relative to advanced deposit account wagering. Rep. Murphy moved ought to pass, explaining that the bill would regulate advanced deposit wagering on horse racing and impose a 1.25% revenue share on wagers from New Hampshire residents, generating roughly a quarter-million dollars in new lottery revenue in the first year. The motion passed 19-0, and the bill will not go on consent because of its fiscal note. The committee then voted 19-0 to recommend SB 147 ITL, with members noting that live racing facilities are in decline and the market is shrinking. SB 160, which updates raffle ticket pricing and prize limits for bingo-related gaming, also passed ought to pass 19-0 and will not go on consent. The committee then took up SB 73, which revises coverall bingo rules and increases prize limits. An amendment, 2025-1470H, was offered to raise the total prize amount to $5,000; members supported it as a reasonable compromise, and the amendment was adopted unanimously. The bill as amended then passed ought to pass 19-0, again with a fiscal note preventing consent placement. After those votes, the committee moved into a work session on SB 83, where members began discussing the bill’s video lottery terminal provisions, including the meaning of “maximum wager,” the absence of a cumulative betting cap, and concerns that the bill combines several distinct policy changes—tax treatment, VLT rules, renaming, and a self-exclusion database—into one measure. No vote was taken on SB 83 during the work session, and members indicated they would continue discussion later after reviewing side-by-side materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um travel and tourism is watching that.
• tourism summer and then international tourism during<00:19:09.120><c> the</c><00:19:09.360><c> foliage
• </c> by domestic tourism. by domestic tourism.
• Travel and Tourism will be marketing Travel and Tourism will be marketing aggressively<01:25:07.520><
• </c> the one thing that always drives tourism the one thing that always drives tourism in<01:25:33.920

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Leek, and I represent the people of Senate District 7, and this is the Committee on Commerce and Tourism
• Welcome to the Commerce and Tourism Committee.
• We've been tourism. We've been agriculture. We've been growth.
• Good morning to everyone on the Tourism and Commerce Committee.
• Without objection, seeing be a tourism-based economy.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• economic activity.
• Tourism is our number one industry in this state.
• Tourism is our number one industry in this state.
• </c> know, this fee might impact the tourism know, this fee might impact the tourism industry.<02:55:
• </c><03:19:09.840><c> are</c> that this these types of activities are that this these types of activities

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the center of our activity is our community center.
• Because of our location and our tourism-driven economy, a significant portion of our activity in Taylor's
• tourism, and strengthen regional<00:43:24.160><c> connections.
• </c><00:49:39.520><c> And</c> u is the hub of that activity there.
• And u is the hub of that activity there.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but also anything from heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, microbials, microtoxins, and water activity
• Senator Smith's been pretty active because he had one of the bills, and hopefully we can come up with
• I think one was tourism, one was youth and children, one... tourism, one was youth and children, and
• What you're saying is there's a drug bill and tourism... there's a drug bill and tourism.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE TAX DIFFERENT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. AND DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ECONOMIC CYCLE.
• WE GOT THE SPIKE OF COLLECTIONS AND THAT IS THE REFINANCING ACTIVITY THAT WE SAW.
• THE WAY I THINK ABOUT TAX REVENUE IS IT IS PEOPLE THAT ARE ENGAGING IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WHICH IS WHAT
• THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF ANY BASELINE ACTIVITY. TAX PACKAGE, THIS IS TAKING THAT INTO ACCOUNT.
• THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF ANY BASELINE ACTIVITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Speaker, as you and I both know, tourism Speaker, as you and I both know, tourism is<03:40:50.239
• Well, we get complaints about tourism.
• </c> community college systems, tourism community college systems, tourism development<04:44:41.920><
• Council on the Arts and shrinks tourism Council on the Arts and shrinks tourism marketing<05:29:15.280
• </c> cuts to economic drivers like tourism cuts to economic drivers like tourism development,<05:46:37.840

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Engagement, creating more economic support through tourism, and we know how much of a difference they
• We need to increase revenue through the promotion of cultural identity and tourism.
• The Manito groups exist for nearly 30 years, and today they're over 300 active members.
• And today there are over 300 active members. Their stories reflect millions of Californians.
• I actively serve with the California Creative Corps Administrating Organizations Working Group.

Committee: House Joint Committee on the Arts

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And line 33 is a modification to the collection of charges by tourism improvement districts that also
• charges by tourism improvement districts that<00:05:46.640><c> also</c><00:05:47.000><c> does</c><00
• In addition to the exemption modification for grazing activities, there are a number of agricultural
• Property is allowed to qualify for special agricultural homestead if the owner and the person actively
• In addition to the exemption modification for grazing activities, there are a number of agricultural

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assemblymember McKinner, with a motion of due pass as amended to the Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
• And in fact, just five years ago... ...biodiversity, our fisheries, and our coastal tourism.
• And in fact, just five years ago in 2021, coastal tourism and recreation made up 67% of California's
• kelp forests, support hundreds of marine species, protect our coastline, and generate billions in tourism
• targeting, including coordinated death threats against service providers, anti-immigrant vigilante activity

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee heard several bills focused on consumer transparency, environmental protection, education accountability, and privacy protections. AB 2143 by Assemblymember Irwin would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California; supporters said the bill would close an e-commerce loophole that helps spread invasive species, while TechNet opposed it unless clearer standards and safeguards were added. AB 1744 by Assemblymember Addis, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, would bar sunscreen products containing chemical UV filters from being marketed as “reef safe” or similar claims; supporters, including a Sacramento high school eco club and Surfrider Foundation, said the bill would prevent misleading greenwashing, while the Personal Care Products Council expressed concern about implications for the safety of those ingredients. The committee also heard AB 1861 by Assemblymember Lackey, which would require the California Department of Education to maintain a public, searchable database of special education complaint decisions with personal information redacted. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and help identify patterns of noncompliance affecting students with disabilities, while county education officials argued state resources should instead go toward filling special education vacancies. AB 2624 by Assemblymember Bonta would expand the Safe at Home address confidentiality program to immigrant service providers, employees, and volunteers and restrict online posting of their personal information when intended to threaten or intimidate; supporters described rising harassment, doxing, and threats against immigrant-serving organizations, while Assemblymember DeMaio raised First Amendment and public transparency concerns and Assemblymember Patterson questioned the bill’s limits on protest and publication. Because the committee initially lacked a quorum, several bills were heard and later voted on once quorum was established. Members generally praised the bills and, in some cases, requested to be added as coauthors. When votes were taken, AB 1861, AB 1744, AB 2143, and AB 2624 all passed out of committee, with AB 2624 receiving 11 aye votes and 2 no votes; the others were reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This activity has several acknowledged environmental impacts that threaten our delicate ecosystem.
• This activity has several acknowledged environmental impacts that threaten our delicate ecosystem.
• These trails are the central way of life and for our local tourism economy.
• This bill will set back decades of work and put vital tourism and recreational interests at risk.
• </c><01:34:02.960><c> and</c> Decades of work in put vital tourism and Decades of work in put vital tourism

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes they actively avoid them.
• It added House Bill 1867, a Joplin tourism bill. House Bill 231, Harrisonville guest tax.
• House Bill 2434, Richmond tourism.
• Lobbinger, House Bill 3044, Park Hills tourism and economic development.
• Taxing for tourism purposes probably won't survive the Senate.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism will come to order. Clerk call the roll.
• would allow state and local parks and, and rec agencies or departments to promote recreational activities
• Unplugged Texas Day will encourage Texans from across the state, uh, to go outside and get and get active
• morning hunt, you know, um, they really are a lot of fun and um it gets the kids outdoors, keeps them active
• Culture, recreation, Tourism Committee stands in terms of culture.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:

• Each chapter plans annual programming activities. under a general five-point programmatic thrust: cultural
• Seeing certain activities by contractors and vendors of state agencies providing administrative penalties
• HB5356 by Lou relates to the authority of municipalities regarding irregular activities.
• HB5456 by Little relates to resident safety from criminal activity in senior retirement communities and
• HB5619 by Wilson relates to extending the Hazelwood Exemption Act to active-duty members.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The tourism aspect and the interaction with those spread $13.3 billion.
• The tourism aspect and the interaction with those spread $13.3 billion into the state.
• Natalie Randall, Managing Director, Utah's Tourism and Film Commission, part of the Governor's Office
• We're actively working to improve that engagement across agencies, across partners, organizations.
• And this is an area that we were told we want GOEO to play a more active role.

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As an actively serving member of the military, this gives us a choice to use the and decide who to use
• As an actively serving member of the military, this gives us a choice to use the and decide who to use
• Speaker, I'd like to ask for passage of House Bill 436. veterans and active milit uh duty veterans and
• active milit uh duty military<00:33:12.399><c> to</c><00:33:12.640><c> enhance</c><00:33:13.039><c>
• Speaker. >> Yes, sir. >> U members of the budget subcommittee on tourism, economic development, energy

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Calendar/2nd Readings 06:06 Report of Committees 07:10 Orders of the Day 09:21 HB 253 09:35 HB 508 16:18 HCR 44 29:09 HB 436 31:53 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 35:50 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 41:19 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 43:02 ConC/Rules Report 46:27 Floor Amendments 47:56 Adjournment 48:34, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and approval of the prior day’s journal. Committee reports were read for a range of bills and resolutions, including measures on privacy protection, theft by deception, social work, licensed occupations, an adult workforce diploma pilot program, parole board changes, alternative high school diplomas, campaign finance, child care, mental health treatment, gubernatorial transitions, unclaimed property, and state contracts. Those items received first reading and were placed on the calendar. The chamber then considered House Bill 253, relating to reading and language arts instruction. Supporters said the bill follows the earlier Read to Succeed law by requiring instruction grounded in the science of reading and phasing out the three-cueing system, which they argued encourages memorization rather than phonics. A member from House District 93 opposed the prohibition, saying teachers need flexibility and that some district-approved methods remain useful in classrooms. The House adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 94-1, then laid a motion to reconsider on the table. House Bill 508, relating to the protection of veterans benefits, was also debated and passed unanimously 93-0. The sponsor said the bill regulates paid veterans-claims services, requires clear disclosures about free services, limits fees, bars certain practices, and adds annual reporting, while exempting attorneys and law firms. Several members spoke in support, citing personal experiences and the need to protect veterans from bad actors, though some also expressed concern about access to help and urged future federal accreditation language. House Concurrent Resolution 44, urging Congress to create a VA accreditation pathway for private claims companies, was adopted 95-0, and House Bill 436, creating a PGA HOPE-related state parks benefit for veterans and active-duty military participants, passed 94-0. At the end of the session, the House received Senate Bill 172, relating to utility fuel adjustments and declaring an emergency, for first reading and return to committee. Members also made announcements about upcoming breakfasts, meetings, guest groups, and other events.