Transcript Highlights:

• We're in southeast New Mexico and Hobbs to learn about this oil boom that's been fueling a lot of this
• revenue... ...to learn about this oil boom that's been fueling a lot of this revenue growth that we've
• And I spent much time with risk management this year, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee heard a final wrap-up presentation from Director So Lee on the Legislative Finance Committee’s budget framework for the upcoming session. He said the state remains in a strong fiscal position, though revenue estimates are lower than earlier projections and available nonrecurring funds have declined by more than $1 billion from the prior session. He emphasized that the recommendation still preserves reserves above 30 percent and supports targeted investments in the committee’s three priorities: increasing per capita earned income through education and workforce development, improving access to high-quality health care and behavioral health, and enhancing quality of life through infrastructure, water, parks, trails, and other community amenities. Director Lee highlighted several major funding areas, including a proposed expansion of the UNM medical education program, water projects, capital outlay for state agency assets, and use of a mix of severance tax bonds, general obligation bonds, and cash for capital needs. He also noted continued pressure from health insurance, liability, and compensation costs, and said the committee would keep using pilot programs for new initiatives. Members broadly praised the staff, interim travel, and budget analysis work. During member comments, Senator Woods focused on school funding stability, liability costs, and fraud or waste in state agencies, arguing the state should take more claims to court to establish precedent and better protect taxpayers. Other members thanked staff and leadership for their work and collaboration. The committee then adopted the catch-up cleanup items and the overall LFC budget framework, with Senator Woods recorded in opposition, and created a technical committee with members from both chambers to resolve any final technical issues before the January session.

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase power based on cost and reliability and prevents special interest lawsuits aimed at banning fuel
• purchase power based on cost and reliability and prevents special interest lawsuits aimed at banning fuel
• by local governments or by our constituents, which is: where did the money go, and what did it get spent
• By local governments or by constituents, which is: where'd the money go, and what did it get spent on
• And Chair McLean, I appreciate your indulgence in the time you spent working on this issue with me and

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of bills, mostly local claims and growth-management or permitting measures. SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24 were uncontested claims bills providing relief for injuries or damages involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County; each was described as settled or favorably reported by a special master, and each was reported favorably without debate. SB 288, a negotiated bill on rural electric cooperatives, was presented as a clarification to protect co-op authority over generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections; it drew support from industry stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 830 created a public-records exemption for certain local administrators and their families’ personal information, citing threats against city managers, and it also passed favorably. The committee also considered several land-use and permitting bills. SB 1138 would create a registry of qualified professionals to conduct pre-application review for plats and development, aiming to reduce delays and backlogs; local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, but the bill passed favorably with one no vote. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling houses, increased penalties, and authorized attorney’s fees and foreclosure of unpaid fees; it was reported favorably. SB 686 revised the agricultural enclave statute to create a public-hearing process for certain residential projects in urban service areas, with a sunset date later amended to June 30, 2026; conservation and planning groups raised concerns about local planning authority and public participation, but the bill passed favorably. SB 548, a growth-management and impact-fee cleanup bill, clarified plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for impact fees. Local government and development stakeholders testified that it would improve predictability while preserving flexibility, though some sought further refinement on fee increases and refunds; the bill was amended and then reported favorably. SB 1234 addressed building permits and inspections, including permit validity, small-project exemptions, temporary hurricane protection, standardized permit forms, and expanded use of private providers; county officials objected to reduced oversight, while builders and private-provider advocates supported the measure. After testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Jones requested to be recorded on several votes, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase power based on cost and reliability and prevents special interest lawsuits aimed at banning fuel
• purchase power based on cost and reliability and prevents special interest lawsuits aimed at banning fuel
• Where'd the money go, and what did it get spent on? Plan-based methodology will cover that.
• And Chair McLean, I appreciate your indulgence in the time you spent working on this issue with me and
• Let me thank Senator McLean for all his time he spent on this issue and for his open-door policy to allow

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0168 , S0288 , S0548 , S0686 , S0830 , S1138 , S1234

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: negligence, settlement, police conduct, municipal liability, personal injury, compensation, injuries, Miami-Dade County, rural electric cooperatives, energy production, Florida law, energy tariffs, regulation, impact fees, transportation capacity, local government, interlocal agreements, growth management, community planning, extraordinary circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of Massachusetts, however, it is really not done the job with all that money that's been spent
• I won't even go into how many millions of dollars were spent on consultants that came in and paid for
• Spent so much time hearing about today.
• It is 67% fossil fuels, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman, in the United States, the portion that was fossil fuels was about 58%.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several energy-related bills, with the main focus on H. 3534/S. 2255, which would ban or sharply restrict residential third-party electric suppliers, and on related reform proposals. Supporters included the Attorney General’s office, municipal and regional planning officials, environmental justice groups, consumer advocates, and city officials from Boston and Chelsea. They argued that the residential competitive supply market has produced higher bills, deceptive sales tactics, auto-renewals into higher rates, and disproportionate harm to low-income residents, seniors, communities of color, and people with limited English. Witnesses cited AG reports estimating hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges over time, described door-to-door and storefront marketing abuses, and said municipal aggregation programs have saved residents money while offering more stable rates. Several supporters said the Legislature should either ban residential competitive supply or adopt strong guardrails such as ending automatic renewals, banning incentive-based commissions, and capping rates relative to basic service. Opponents or industry representatives from the Retail Energy Advancement League, Vistra, and Constellation argued that the market can provide savings, longer-term price stability, and value-added products such as renewable options and time-of-use offerings. They said Massachusetts has already improved consumer protections through DPU proceedings, that complaints are relatively few compared with the size of the market, and that a ban would eliminate consumer choice. They also defended direct sales and commissions as normal features of a retail market, while saying they would support additional protections, licensing, bonding, and stronger oversight of bad actors. Committee members pressed both sides on whether the market truly saves money, whether automatic renewals should be banned, and whether the AG’s proposed reforms would be enough. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3972, a bill to extend utility shutoff protections during extreme heat, with Rep. Mindy Domb arguing that Massachusetts should treat extreme heat like extreme cold and protect customers facing financial hardship. Rep. Barrett also testified for H. 3450, a municipal broadband/right-of-way bill, arguing that communities need easier and cheaper access to utility poles and public rights of way to build municipal broadband. In addition, Senate Majority Leader Creem testified for S. 2239, which would bar utilities from recovering ratepayer funds for lobbying, promotions, trade association dues, and similar expenses. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• In partnership with all of you, our legislative colleagues, we spent a lot of time helping to build an
• economic future for our state that, We spent a lot of time helping to build an economic future for our
• We've spent $400 million Addressing both the business and the labor side.
• We've spent $400 million through the regional investment initiative to support regional planning, project
• So we basically divided the state into 13 regions, and then we spent time working with the local partners

Transcript Highlights:

• People have their right to have whatever type of fuel source they want to use in their house.
• Their fuel mix is 75 to 85% methane gas, which contributes to the dangerous warming and harmful impacts
• Preemption to the state paves the way for these dirty fossil fuels. ...the Sable Trail Pipeline.
• Preemption to the state paves the way for these dirty fossil fuel companies to prioritize profits over
• I just haven't spent much time on it to be able to commit to it today.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Rules Committee took up a large agenda of bills, with many measures reported favorably after brief explanations, amendments, and testimony. Early bills included CS/SB 658 on lien waivers and releases, which was amended to preserve enforceability despite form differences and then passed; CS/CS/SB 736 on brownfields redevelopment, which drew support from business and redevelopment interests and passed; and CS/SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, which was amended to bar certain building or fire code provisions affecting fuel-source choices and then passed despite opposition from environmental advocates. The committee also advanced CS/CS/SB 1132 on right-to-repair for certain equipment, where manufacturers, dealer representatives, and industry groups warned the bill could undermine dealer networks and existing repair programs, while supporters argued it would improve consumer access and help farmers and equipment owners. The bill still passed. Other measures reported favorably included CS/SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of property-damage crashes, CS/CS/SB 768 on foreign-country controlling interests in health care licensing, CS/SB 772 on school access to glucagon for diabetes emergencies, CS/SB 1400 on removal of nonconsensual altered sexual depictions, and CS/SB 1696 on transportation network company impersonation and transit funding. A major portion of the meeting focused on affordable housing. CS/SB 1730, a follow-up to the Live Local Act, made several changes to zoning, height, density, parking, moratorium, and enforcement provisions, with members raising concerns about parking reductions, attorney’s fees, local control, and impacts in the Keys and other sensitive areas. Supporters said the bill closes loopholes and improves workforce housing implementation, while some witnesses urged additional exemptions for areas of critical state concern. The bill was reported favorably after amendment. Later, the committee considered several bills from Senator Leak, including CS/SB 576 on service of process, CS/SB 606 on public lodging and food service establishments, and CS/SB 1164 on electronic delivery of landlord-tenant notices. CS/SB 606 drew substantial debate over whether hotels and extended-stay properties should be able to remove nonpaying guests without treating them like residential tenants; the sponsor said the bill clarifies transient occupancy and removes mandatory arrest provisions, and it passed. CS/SB 1164, which allows email notice delivery by agreement, passed despite concerns from tenant advocates that the bill should include clearer consent and safeguards. The committee also approved CS/SB 1374 on school district reporting of educator arrests and misconduct, CS/SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation sales, and began hearing CS/SB 1690 on surrendered infants, which would authorize infant safety devices or “baby boxes” as a legal surrender option, with supportive testimony from proponents describing crisis situations and the need for anonymous surrender options.

Transcript Highlights:

• probably just paying the bill because it's going to be considered a small bill compared to what the fuel
• charge was if they actually did fill up with fuel.
• If they actually did fill up with fuel.
• He's going to buy your fuel. He's going to do it.
• He's going to buy your fuel.

Bills: S0086 , S0422 , S0706 , S1054 , S1670

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met and considered several bills, beginning with CS/SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens. The sponsor described the bill as a highway safety measure requiring commercial drivers to be lawfully present, hold a valid CDL, read English, and communicate with law enforcement, with vehicle impoundment, civil penalties, and out-of-service orders for violations. After questions about impacts on carriers and interstate operations, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably, with one no vote. The committee then heard CS/SB 706, which would preempt naming of major commercial service airports to the state and rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County; county representatives supported the amendment and bill. The committee also approved CS/SB 1670 on the Outsider specialty license plate after an amendment reduced the Huber Brothers Foundation’s share of proceeds from 25% to 10%. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 1054, dealing with traffic infractions resulting in crashes with another vehicle. The bill would impose escalating fines and license suspensions for crashes caused by running red lights or stop signs, and require bodily injury insurance for a year when injury results. A clarifying amendment limited the insurance requirement to one year, and the bill was reported favorably after supportive testimony from law enforcement and advocacy groups. The final major bill was CS/SB 422 on automated dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) data; it would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate or collect certain landing-related fees. Supporters argued the technology should remain focused on aviation safety and warned against false invoices and discouraging pilot training, while airport representatives said they currently use the data for fee collection and wanted further discussion. After an amendment narrowing the bill’s application, the committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we talk about economics, my dad spent 18 years trying to get 3 1/2 cents for the gas tax, which
• And this committee spent many weeks, I watched you online and in person, working on the 10-year plan.
• We haven't had a fuel tax increase other than the sunset money for '93 since 1991.
• tax increase other than the sunset fuel tax increase other than the sunset money<00:35:50.360><c> for
• </c> Turnpike to be spent on the Turnpike. Turnpike to be spent on the Turnpike.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• We will continue to see broadband demand increase, so that's why we just spent $1.3 million to upgrade
• of the people that I see are on some form of fixed income, whether they’re receiving SNAP, SSDI, or fuel
• “And having worked as a lineman before, I spent years working for a contractor for Spectrum, putting
• And so if we think about the winter, they receive fuel assistance.
• In order for them to access fuel assistance, they need access to the internet because they have to provide

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs. Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those companies have attracted $3 billion in private additional investment that fuels their growth, wages
• of our goals as a state is to grow population and, within that, to attract young professionals to fuel
• one of our goals as a state is to grow population and within that to attract young professionals to fuel
• I mean, having spent 29 years of my life in elected positions in municipal.
• city has very specific requirements for prevailing wage for incentives and city tax dollars that get spent

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• Alex was someone who spent his life caring for people like me, for veterans, and serving his community
• Prior to that, he spent 15 years as medical director for the Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services
• Replacing a fossil fuel HVAC or water pump system with a heat pump eliminates harmful pollutants.
• Replacing a fossil fuel HVAC or water pump system with a heat pump eliminates harmful pollutants.
• Replacing a fossil fuel HVAC or water pump system with a heat pump eliminates harmful pollutants.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guest delegations, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then moved through gubernatorial appointments, confirming Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures approved included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on prompt payment for public works contractors, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 strengthening protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 expanding support for community land trusts, SB 479 authorizing city-based homeless response multidisciplinary teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 limiting forfeiture when a contractor’s license lapses, SB 490 allowing local inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities with state approval, SB 828 requiring permit-data verification for fireworks and explosives facilities, SB 849 barring physicians who committed sexual misconduct from license renewal, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electric lines in response to the Altadena fire, SB 96 regulating amplified advertising on streaming and related platforms, and SB 58 updating hydrogen sulfide monitoring and response standards. Most passed unanimously; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some opposition, and SB 222 passed 38-3. A major floor debate centered on SB 694, which would restrict unaccredited private firms from charging fees to assist veterans with VA benefits claims and align state law with federal accreditation rules. Supporters argued the bill would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and preserve access through accredited providers, while opponents said it would limit veterans’ choice and could reduce access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 by a 39-0 vote. The session ended with unanimous approval of the consent calendar items and adjournment until January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alex was someone who spent his life caring for people like me, for veterans, and serving his community
• Prior to that, he spent 15 years as medical director for the Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services
• Replacing a fossil fuel HVAC or water pump system with the heat pump eliminates harmful pollutants.
• Replacing a fossil fuel HVAC or water pump system with the heat pump eliminates harmful pollutants.
• Replacing a fossil fuel HVAC or water pump system with the heat pump eliminates harmful pollutants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fuel combustion in the transportation sector is the primary source of smog-forming ozone pollution and
• Fuel combustion in the transportation sector is the primary source for smog-forming ozone pollution and
• As a one side example, Sandag and San Diego says that in their last SCS, RTP, they spent $40 million
• Our members employ 150,000 Californians, fueling the $40 billion aftermarket economy here.
• They're usually fuel injected. They don't have carburetors anymore.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on active transportation, transit, road safety, and local enforcement. SB 569 would restrict removal or downgrading of bikeways built with state General Fund dollars for at least 20 years, require public hearings before major changes, and was supported by bicycle advocates and some local and environmental groups. The City of Encinitas opposed the bill, arguing it could limit needed safety fixes and should apply only to future projects; committee members discussed whether the bill still allowed safety-based modifications. The bill passed on a due pass vote to Appropriations. SB 741 would streamline the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program by reducing administrative burden and giving transit agencies more flexibility to use funds for service improvements, fare programs, and other transit needs while maintaining oversight and disadvantaged community requirements. Transit agencies and advocacy groups supported the measure, saying it would help agencies respond to post-pandemic ridership and financial challenges. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1167, which would tighten consumer protections by clarifying that high-powered e-motos and similar motor vehicles are not e-bikes, requiring clearer disclosures and labels, and improving crash reporting. Supporters said the bill would reduce confusion and improve safety for riders, pedestrians, and parents; the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed unless amended, arguing the term “e-bike” is used broadly and the bill could affect existing businesses. The bill passed to Appropriations. Later, SB 953, dealing with vehicular manslaughter cases dismissed through misdemeanor diversion, would add DMV points so fatal conduct remains reflected on driving records; the bill was supported by the victim’s family and safety advocates and passed to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1218, which would let local agencies boot vehicles tied to repeated unpaid illegal dumping citations instead of using DMV enforcement. Oakland officials and community groups supported the bill as a needed deterrent, while the ACLU opposed it as punitive debt collection without a sufficient nexus to the vehicle. The bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, SB 739 would revise the Clean Miles Standard for rideshare companies by allowing CARB and CPUC to adjust electric vehicle mileage targets in light of current market conditions; Uber and Lyft supported the flexibility, while clean air advocates began raising concerns about weakening climate goals as the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:42:44.040><c> a</c> three non-candidate committees spent a three non-candidate committees spent
• </c> internal documents of the fossil fuel internal documents of the fossil fuel companies<05:10:35.720
• And we can start by making the fossil fuel industry pay their fair share.
• A lot of those weren't directly caused by, um, companies, fossil fuels.
• They're caused companies, fossil fuels.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is in Senator Cek's district, DG's fuels.
• So this is just a breakdown of hours spent by board staff last year.
• So, um, this is just a breakdown of hours spent by board staff last year.
• So this is just a breakdown of hours spent by board staff last year.
• So this is just a breakdown of hours spent by board staff last year.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• companies and fossil fuel companies for a<00:14:22.720><c> while</c><00:14:22.880><c> now.
• We don’t have the capability to produce nuclear fuel in this country.
• </c><00:53:25.040><c> I</c> produce nuclear fuel in this country.
• I produce nuclear fuel in this country.
• We just made it a lot clearer and spent a little time working on the clarity side of it.

Bills: SF0102 , SF0123 , SF0021 , SF0099

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• been spent, working.
• NRCS, at the bottom of the page, has spent $50 million.
• You guys have spent $16.8 million on the property down at the track, and spent a lot more money on desilting
• The reason we haven't spent it is because we can't get to it.
• That money has already been spent, but we're waiting on engineering."

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We were at WSU Tri-Cities earlier this year, working with the sustainable aviation fuels, and they've
• for farmers, and I'm looking at a couple number of farmers here themselves that'll tell us best, is fuel
• So, you know, we've spent about five years. I think we're doing all right, but it's a struggle.
• We really appreciate that they've spent the last two years working with us and talking with us about
• We really appreciate that they've spent the last two years working with us and talking with us about

Bills: SB5816 , SB5971

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, green fertilizer, low-carbon, sustainability, incentive program

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes a category of energy projects that include electric generation facilities fueled by non-emitting
• Minors to content that fuels self-harm and suicide.
• I also spent 30 years working in tech, including nine years in social media advertising and at least
• We've spent millions of dollars on process and on mitigating the impacts of 6 PPD, but we haven't set
• So today I heard that we've spent trillions on stormwater projects, dam removal, riparian projects, and

Bills: SB5984 , SB6119 , SB6076

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: artificial intelligence, chatbots, regulation, technology, consumer protection, pollutants, tire regulation, 6PPD, environment, public safety, SB 6076, consumer-owned utilities, public utility districts, municipal procurement, competitive bidding, public works, clean energy, renewable energy, nonemitting generation, energy storage

Transcript Highlights:

• Visitor spending fuels job creation, business growth, and vital state and local services across every
• In 2024, visitors spent $157 billion here in California, generating $12.7 billion in state and local
• In 2024, Americans spent $102 billion during trips to California.
• While agriculture feeds the world, tourism fuels California's economy in ways that rival and surpass
• fuels the federal government.

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.