Video & Transcript Research : 'summer programs'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Dec 8th, 2025 at 09:45 am
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 8th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we run some programming through there.
- I just want to highlight a few of these programs for us.
- The other one is our paramedic program.
- We were able to, last summer or last year, finish up in the summer, be able to put some money into those
- list to get in there in the summer, you know.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Senate Committee on Climate Change and Global Warming
Transcript Highlights:
- But the program just didn't keep up.
- It was a hard summer for us to hear that. We worked really hard on a great program, $156 million.
- The Connected Solutions program is really considered a nation-leading program for leveraging home solar
- And the good news there is that the structure of the programs that we have, the SMART program in particular
- Under the SMART program, the kind of deal with the SMART program is that the projects receive an incentive
Summary:
The hearing focused on ways Massachusetts can accelerate solar deployment, lower costs, and preserve reliability as electricity demand rises and federal support for solar and other renewables changes. Chair Creem opened by emphasizing solar’s role in meeting climate mandates and peak demand, citing June heat-wave data showing behind-the-meter solar reduced wholesale prices and saved ratepayers money. Commissioner Elizabeth Mahoney of DOER said Massachusetts has grown from 3 MW of solar in 2008 to 3.5 GW today, highlighted SMART 3.0 as a flexible, evergreen incentive program, and said DOER is working on updated rates, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, net crediting, and a petition to the DPU to speed implementation. She also said Massachusetts joined the lawsuit over canceled federal Solar for All funding.
Committee members and witnesses discussed several policy changes to speed projects before federal tax credits expire, including automated permitting, remote inspections, faster interconnection, and changes to caps on municipal and regional solar development. Senator Barrett pressed Mahoney on whether the 10 MW municipal cap and regional caps should be lifted, and on whether the state should increase its solar tax credit to offset the loss of the federal residential credit. Mahoney said the municipal cap should be revisited and that interconnection cost allocation and other market issues need to be worked out before lifting broader caps. She also said DOER is open to automated permitting and is already developing a permitting portal under the 2024 climate law.
Industry and advocacy witnesses largely supported streamlining measures. Sunrun’s Bronte Payne urged removal of a proposed requirement that all net-metered facilities enroll in SMART, and recommended automated permitting, remote inspections, flexible interconnection, better hosting-capacity information, consumer protections, and continued support for Connected Solutions and virtual power plants. Permit Power’s Hannah Bernbaum and Solar App’s Matthew McAllister argued that smart permitting and remote inspections can significantly reduce soft costs and delays, with McAllister saying Solar App now operates in over 320 jurisdictions and saves about three weeks on average. They said remote inspections are already common and can be done safely with photos, video, and qualified third parties. Community solar and clean energy advocates, including CCSA’s Kate Daniel and Vote Solar’s Lindsay Griffin, supported a 10 GW solar target by 2035, a higher refundable state tax credit for low-income households, interconnection reforms, flexible interconnection, and preserving the option to build outside SMART so projects can retain renewable energy certificates. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and members requested follow-up materials and draft language from witnesses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/03/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- state of Minnesota through our programs state of Minnesota through our programs um<00:03:50.480>
- It's been a really great program.
- or will participate in our that program or will participate in our current<00:14:44.680>
program< - We have a couple of new programs.
- space we have a couple of new programs space we have a couple of new programs so<00:23:24.799>
Summary:
Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty gave the committee an agency overview focused on the state’s tourism, livability, business attraction, film, and outdoor recreation promotion work. She highlighted record 2023 tourism results, including 80.2 million visitors, $4.1 billion in economic impact, more than 180,000 hospitality jobs, and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes, and said tourism sales, hotel occupancy, and other metrics continued to improve. She also described the agency’s marketing strategy, including a new campaign centered on authentic Minnesota stories, expanded domestic and international advertising, and a strong emphasis on winter, diverse markets, and accessibility.
McGinty reviewed several one-time-funded programs launched or expanded in the last year, including Explore Minnesota for Business, the tourism recovery grant program, the first Tribal Nations Grant program, and the outdoor recreation industry partnership with IRRR, DEED, and DNR. She said the recovery grants had distributed $1.15 million to 110 grantees, the tribal grant program had spent $1.4 million with eight tribal nations, and outdoor recreation was estimated at $13.5 billion annually with 10.5% growth. She also noted strong media and social media results, including a viral Timberwolves-related campaign, high video completion rates, and increased website traffic.
In response to committee questions, McGinty said the workforce and business attraction campaign is aimed at showing why people choose to live and work in Minnesota, using stories from newer residents and businesses, and that it is performing well in markets such as Silicon Valley, Boston, and Seattle. She said the agency is investing more in winter advertising to promote Minnesota as a winter destination and is working with partners to highlight activities beyond outdoor cold-weather recreation. Members also discussed the agency’s new film program, resident retention efforts, and a planned music-themed tourism ad tied to Prince and Bob Dylan. No votes or formal actions were taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 01/22/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Our down payment assistance program is also a fairly or relatively new program as well.
- Really a great program. Really a great program.
- Really a great program.
- Really a great program.
- they they did a robust this summer they they did a robust testing<00:40:26.640>
program <00:40
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 19th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And that has been a huge program. If you're wondering which programs are the most successful.
- Our most popular program right now is the electric bicycle program, believe it or not.
- That is part of the program.
- That program was very successful.
- The current program that's running was either a two-year program.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Dec 18th, 2025 at 01:07 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- In FY26, you all appropriated $15 million for both out-of-school time programs and tutoring programs.
- Out-of-school learning programs are a pretty broad category of programming that often includes after-school
- for all of the places that want to do summer intern programs. Mr.
- Some that I hear of my district, and it's not during the summer, but they would like that program expanded
- versus a reading program versus a tutoring program we didn't think would be the appropriate place to
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It establishes a grant program for the Critical Infrastructure Mapping Grant program.
- One of the things we saw the summer was there.
- This last summer was really a lesson in civics.
- And we moved that to a managed care program.
- and another self betterment programs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (10/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh didn't do my work over the summer.
- Um it's widely used widely programs.
- And that we include a mentorship program.
- <00:16:06.720>
So uh in my budget for this summer. So uh in my budget for this summer. - done because of my fault over the summer done because of my fault over the summer and<00:51:07.040
Summary:
The subcommittee met without a quorum and discussed how to proceed with its family court review work. The chair said preliminary, unofficial reports could be circulated and voted on by email, and noted that next year the work might continue as a full committee rather than a subcommittee. Members also discussed carrying unresolved issues into next year, including the long-standing “one judge, one case” concept. Later, the committee received additional materials from a member who could not attend, including a packet on state-funded transcript requests and background information on how different states structure family court systems.
A major presentation focused on improving New Hampshire family court pre-trial and mediation practices. The presenters said current rules give judges broad discretion, which can lead to inconsistent discovery, evidence, and timelines, especially for self-represented parties. They raised concerns about uneven mediator training and oversight, lack of uniform domestic violence screening, and unclear information for families about their rights and how to exit mediation. They recommended standardized pre-trial case management orders, clearer plain-language deadlines, mandatory domestic violence screening, stronger mediator certification and continuing education, a mentorship program, an independent oversight board, and a pilot program in a few counties before any statewide rollout.
Members and presenters also discussed existing court forms and practices, including mediation agreements, mediator preparation forms, first appearances, and the use of Zoom for mediation. One participant argued that mediation can work better when parties are better prepared and when cases are not sent too early, and suggested that neutral case evaluation is another useful alternative dispute resolution tool. The discussion also touched on the need for better educational materials for pro se litigants, with one member describing efforts to create a more accessible guide for people going to court. No votes were taken, and the session ended with plans to continue reviewing materials and refine recommendations.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I hope you will join me and the Governor's Sexual Assault Survivor Program.
- The department is committed to advocating for the... victim services grant program team.
- Summer, thank you for being a courageous hero and standing up.
- Thank you, Summer Willis, and all the other survivors.
- Last session, the seminal program for Texas game wardens was passed.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- At age three, they're out of that program.
- It also establishes grants for summer programs designated specifically for children with autism.
- This will be specific programs, summer programs geared to students with autism, and it provides for a
- The program has a waiting list and we would love to be able to expand this programming and offer it to
- This is a federal program as well. Excuse me.
Summary:
The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and passed two autism-related bills. SB 112, by Senator Harrell, would expand autism screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services from age three to age four, designate the University of Florida autism center as a statewide hub, create grants for autism-focused charter schools and summer programs, and establish an autism microcredential for educators and paraprofessionals. Three technical or clarifying amendments were adopted, and the bill received support from Autism Speaks, The Arc of Florida, Foundation for Florida’s Future, and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who emphasized early intervention and the need for training and expanded services. The bill was reported favorably by committee vote.
The committee then considered SB 102, by Senator Gaetz, which would direct the Department of Education to create a workforce credential for students with autism spectrum disorder, including badges for job skills and workplace safety, and require reporting on outcomes such as employment after graduation. An amendment was adopted to allow students on a modified curriculum before formal diagnosis to participate and to require coordination with the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities and OSHA. Testimony from Amy Weatherby of the FSU Autism Institute and CARD strongly supported the bill, stressing the importance of employment outcomes and early preparation, while other organizations also supported it. SB 102 was reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after Senator Harrell was recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 112.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Agriculture Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I truly believe Florida 4-H is one of the greatest programs.
- programs. 4-H research-based science and agriculture programs are critical to preparing Florida's future
- I was, I think, 10 or 11 when I joined 4-H, and so my main program project is horses.
- earned and achieved throughout the years of their programs.
- the years of their programs.
Summary:
The Agriculture Committee took up SB 806, the consumer and agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill by Senator Trumbull. Trumbull said the measure would expand repair options for portable wireless devices and farm equipment while protecting trade secrets. The committee adopted two amendments: one clarifying the bill does not apply to motor vehicles, and a technical staff amendment. Testimony was mixed: an Everglades Equipment representative opposed the bill, warning it could weaken local dealer support, reduce parts inventory, and increase downtime for farmers; the Consumer Technology Association also opposed the bill in its current form, citing concerns about a patchwork of state repair laws, private lawsuits, and inconsistent standards. The bill was reported favorably as CS for SB 806 by a roll call vote of 4-0, with Senator Rouson not voting.
The committee then heard a presentation from Florida 4-H state officers Timmy Hawes, Summer Wayne, and Taylor Thigpin. They described 4-H as a youth development organization focused on citizenship and leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, serving more than 216,000 youth statewide. They highlighted personal stories about how 4-H built confidence, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills, and they outlined goals to grow participation to 300,000 youth and to invest in 4-H camps, especially Camp Cherry Lake and Camp Timpoochee, as year-round learning sites. Senators praised the program and asked questions about how youth get involved and what drives participation.
Florida FFA state officers Hope Storder and Isabel Jenkins then presented on agricultural education and FFA. They explained FFA’s three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development, and noted that Florida now has more than 65,000 FFA members and that state funding has allowed all agricultural education students to participate at no cost. They emphasized agriculture’s role in feeding a growing population and discussed how technology, innovation, and urban agriculture can help meet future production needs. Senators commended the organization’s work and its role in preparing future leaders and agricultural professionals. At the end of the meeting, Senator Burton requested a group photo with the students, and the committee agreed.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- >
for <00:18:19.720>over schools we do free summer camps for over schools we do free summer - summer summer internships<00:18:49.360>
but <00:18:49.799>the <00:18:50.000>the - and so as we're working in the summer and so as we're working these<00:21:04.440>
summer <00:21 - used to be a quite an expensive program used to be a quite an expensive program and<00:43:24.680
- pre-existing CNA training program pre-existing CNA training program because<00:52:10.319>
I'm
Keywords:
HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I worked with the high school page program as a junior and I wanted to come back.
- I worked with the high school page program as a junior and I wanted to come back.
- And then my future plans, I have a job lined up for the forest service in Colorado this summer.
- I worked with the high school page program as a junior and I wanted to come back.
- So, I'm going to be doing trail summer.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Vice President of Policy and Programs at Casita Coalition.
- I'm here to present SB 262, which expands the pro-housing program to include policies and programs that
- SB 262 builds on this anti-displacement expansion to include safe parking programs and safe camping programs
- And then it'll have to come together over the summer or not.
- Money can be directed to great programs.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended.
The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee.
The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection (2-12-26)
Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- So Chief May, summer.
- I think it's a very good program.
- I think think it's a very good program.
- , the NCIC program and NAMUS.
- programs, the NCIC program and NAMUS. programs, the NCIC program and NAMUS.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 47 would extend death benefits to paid and volunteer search and rescue personnel, treating them more like other emergency responders if killed in the line of duty. The sponsor and a Wolf County Search and Rescue chief described the dangers of the work and gave personal examples of serious injuries and near-death incidents to explain why the benefit was needed. Members asked about the fiscal note, which the sponsor said was minimal, and the bill received unanimous favorable passage.
Senate Bill 159 was a reintroduced missing- and unidentified-persons measure intended to align state law with the federal Billy’s Act and improve reporting to NCIC and NamUs. The sponsor said the earlier version had technical problems and incorrectly assigned reporting responsibilities, so the bill was cleaned up to clarify that local agencies are the reporting agents. The Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police supported the bill, saying it would help bring missing people home and aid recovery efforts. The committee passed the bill unanimously with favorable expression.
Senate Bill 104 created a 25-foot safety perimeter around first responders, including law enforcement and EMTs, and would penalize repeated interference, harassment, or intimidation with escalating offenses up to a felony on the fourth offense. The sponsor and supporters said the bill was needed to protect responders and give them room to work, citing examples of chaotic emergency scenes and a Louisville EMT who said interference was a frequent problem. Some members raised concerns about the felony penalty, the definition of harassment, and possible First Amendment issues for people filming police activity, but the sponsor said the bill defined harassment narrowly and was aimed at repeated, intentional interference. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on Senate Bill 104.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 08:02 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Employment and Career Readiness Program, second reading of the bill.
- Engrossed House Bill 5382 relating to the neighborhood investment program.
- Program.
- This bill creates a youth summer employment and careers readiness program within the Department of Commerce
- The bill also outlines the process for cybersecurity program reviews.
Summary:
The Senate took up a long second-reading calendar of House bills, mostly advancing them to third reading after brief explanations of committee strike-and-insert amendments. Measures discussed included property transfer tax language for quick claim deeds, an FDA drug development trial grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide as a qualifying offense, 529 account definitions, Opportunity Zones, a barber apprentice program, municipal/county expenditures, criminal-record disqualification for professions, civil remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, online training for estate executors, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, peer support services, the Youth Summer Employment and Career Readiness Program, cybersecurity program authority, and several others. Several amendments were adopted, including technical or clarifying changes and substantive revisions such as raising contempt fines, adjusting compact background-check language, and adding employer immunity for the youth employment program.
The chamber also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 945 on pay for Adjutant General employees during a federal shutdown or furlough and Senate Bill 1042 on underground mine ventilation standards. Both bills then passed 32-0, and SB 1042 was made effective from passage by a 32-0 vote. The Senate received and advanced several House-passed supplemental appropriations for Homeland Security, the Adjutant General, Health, the State Road Fund, and Tourism/Revenue.
Committee reports moved a number of bills forward, including resolutions to study the eastern gray fox decline and an upland game bird stamp, utility regulation changes, civil service and personnel reform, constitutional carry for 18- to 20-year-olds, E-Verify safe harbor, special education classroom cameras, a camping ban on certain public property, child care, tax efficiency, DUI-causing-death penalties, food regulation, mine subsidence, Medicare supplement guaranteed issue rights, medical cannabis fund allocations, domestic violence prevention, EMS funding, virtual currency kiosk regulation, metallurgical coal tax reduction, foundation allowance changes, workers’ compensation updates, wellness reimbursement programs, education code cleanup, school choice scholarship participation, and virtual instruction for foster students in temporary placement. The Senate then adjourned until 11 a.m. the next day, with committee meeting announcements following.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- I can picture Summer looking down on all of us, insisting that we make this change.
- Summer paid the ultimate price for something you have the ability to change for the good.
- I don't need my name to remember, but my daughter, Summer, deserves hers to be.
- The state's reimbursement program covered only 44% of the cost, not the 75% required by law.
- Taylor, the loss of her daughter, Summer Steele, 10 years ago.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee first heard testimony on S. 2743, an act addressing staged suicides. Elizabeth Sherin Feiner of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and later Susan Altman, a domestic violence advocate, described cases in which deaths initially treated as accidents or suicides were later found to be homicides, arguing the bill would improve training, investigation protocols, and accountability in deaths involving domestic abuse. Committee members asked about current police and medical examiner practices, and one member noted that sudden-death determinations are handled by the chief medical examiner in Massachusetts.
The committee then heard testimony on S. 2861, a special commission to examine school bus safety, led by Representative Sabadosa and Amanda Taylor, whose daughter Summer Steel was killed in a school bus door incident. Taylor urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on new buses, saying it could have prevented her daughter’s death. Representative Sabadosa and later a Mazur USA representative supported the bill, explaining that anti-pinch and anti-drag technologies are already used in other transportation sectors and could prevent similar tragedies. The hearing also included discussion of costs and the fact that the proposal would apply prospectively to buses manufactured going forward.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on S. 3021, updating Massachusetts student transportation. Ever-Driven Technologies and Chamber of Progress supported the bill, saying it would modernize Section 7D requirements for smaller passenger vehicles used for alternative student transportation while keeping core safety standards in place. They argued the change would help districts serve students experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with disabilities, reduce costs, and expand transportation options amid a statewide transportation crisis. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- These are programs that are age-appropriate, evidence-based programming that are designed specifically
- <00:21:23.559>
I because that way during the summer I because that way during the summer I - the summer because of summer<00:21:29.279>
school summer school summer school so<00:21:31.880 - to use that program.
- like any other program in the state, you are not eligible to use that program.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Aug 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Visit California operates with a mission to develop global programs that inspire travel to and within
- Visit California's marketing program is focused on consumers in the other 49 states and visitors from
- Their programs help me increase my budget to be able to piggyback off of many of their programs.
- This summer we're expecting, usually we're 95% occupied all summer, and we're about 75% now.
- To stay competitive with other markets, hotels rely on tourism promotion and discount programs.
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.