Transcript Highlights:

• I will note that the 2022 report did show the effect of film and TV production on our tourism industry
• I will note that the 2022 report did show the effect of film and TV production on our tourism industry
• I will note that the 2022 report did show the effect of film and TV production on our tourism industry
• </c> and TV production on our tourism and TV production on our tourism industry<00:58:21.319><c> and<
• industry based on film and the tourism industry based on film and TV<00:58:26.720><c> production</c>

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• A first registered to testify is Josh Green, Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism
• </c><00:18:06.559><c> in</c> Economic Development and Tourism in Economic Development and Tourism in
• Up next, we have Be Brody, Get Fit Koi, Healthy Eating, Active Living Coalition of Kauaii County, in
• Up next, we have Be Brody, Get Fit Koi, Healthy Eating, Active Living Coalition of Kauaii County, in
• Up next, we have Be Brody, Get Fit Koi, Healthy Eating, Active Living Coalition of Kauaii County, in

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Transportation and Public Safety hearing considered HCR 121/HR 117, which asks federal and state transportation and defense agencies to coordinate on expanding Kle Pass as an emergency exit route. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from state departments and community representatives, though one member raised equity concerns about other communities needing similar access solutions. Both committees recommended passage, and the resolutions were adopted in tandem. The Transportation Committee then heard a series of road safety and mobility resolutions. These included HCR 43 on studying highway patrol and speed cameras in speeding hotspots; HCR 52/HR 48 on a sidewalk between Iroquois Point and Ewa Beach; HCR 57/HR 53 on traffic calming around Piywa Street in Waipahu; HCR 112/HR 108 on a pedestrian-first policy; HCR 129/HR 125 on safety and congestion near Haiku Elementary; HCR 131/HR 127 on rural air service and short takeoff/landing aircraft; HCR 136/HR 130 on reflective gear for pedestrians at night; HCR 137/HR 131 on school crosswalk safety at Kipapa Elementary; HCR 177/HR 173 on a summer streets pilot; and HR 43 on an emergency access road on the YNI coast. Testimony was mixed but generally supportive of pedestrian and school safety measures, while some transportation and bicycling advocates opposed the reflective-gear resolution as placing too much responsibility on pedestrians rather than improving the built environment. During decision-making, the committee advanced all measures. HCR 43 was amended to specify the study should include district court impacts. HCR 131/HR 127 was amended to shift the rural air service study from the Legislative Reference Bureau to the Department of Transportation. HCR 136/HR 130 was amended to change the reflective-gear proposal from a requirement to an encouragement. HCR 137/HR 131 and HCR 45/HR 38 were also advanced with technical or clarifying amendments, and the remaining resolutions were passed as is. Several members noted reservations or no votes on the reflective-gear measure, but all recommendations were ultimately adopted and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't go into a lot of historical context other than to say this has been an active discussion for
• </c> than to say um this has been an active than to say um this has been an active discussion<00:16:34.480
• The conversation has become even more active, and I don't disagree with the testimony of Drive Electric
• The conversation has become even more active, and I don't disagree with the testimony of Drive Electric
• ,</c> it's impacting tourism, it's impacting tourism, restaurants,<01:36:42.560><c> this</c><01:36:42.800

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of tourism marketing, I believe they're projecting that the general fund would see $8 million
• budget—$5 million in the tourism budget—to be able to generate that $8 million in additional revenue
• One is to make changes to active statutory funding formulas.
• One is to make changes to active statutory funding formulas.
• If you've got $9 million... ...increase real estate activity if you invest in more people to do more

Bills: HB2053 , HB2116 , HB2148

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: stormwater, recharge mapping, water resources, groundwater, appropriation, Arizona, HB2116, Colorado River, litigation fund, water rights, Arizona water law, general fund appropriation, state budget, interstate water compact, Colorado River Compact, water litigation, A.R.S. 45-119, natural resources, water policy, river management

Transcript Highlights:

• interest in the uh in the active interest in the uh in the application. application. application.
• ,</c><00:38:25.840><c> property</c> visual effects, tourism, property visual effects, tourism, property
• And he said, "Well, litigation is the world's most expensive indoor activity."
• </c><01:29:43.400><c> So</c><01:29:43.960><c> So</c> most expensive indoor activity."
• So So most expensive indoor activity."

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . activity. activity.
• </c> and at times actively undermined them. and at times actively undermined them.
• </c><05:24:25.040><c> and</c> These communities depend on tourism and These communities depend on tourism
• </c> essential forest management activities essential forest management activities necessary<05:25:18.440
• </c> unique outdoor recreational activities unique outdoor recreational activities including<05:47:22.360

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 16, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2024 alone, SCFD and its funded partners generated $3.12 billion in total economic activity, more
• than 14,000 jobs, and more than $690 million in cultural tourism.
• In 2024 alone, SCFD and its funded partners generated $3.12 billion in total economic activity, more
• than 14,000 jobs, and more than $690 million in cultural tourism.
• , more than 14,000 jobs and more activity, more than 14,000 jobs and more than<00:36:08.480><c> 690</

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the February 23, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports. Education recommended Senate Bill 67 be amended and sent to Appropriations, and Judiciary recommended Senate Bill 70 be amended and sent to Appropriations. The Education Committee also recommended confirmation of several Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board appointments, and later the chamber confirmed a consent calendar of governor’s appointments, including members of the GOCO Trust Fund board, the Colorado Agriculture Development Authority, and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed several bills. Senate Bill 85 and Senate Bill 25, both on the consent calendar, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 5, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement, passed on a 20-11 vote after a brief reconsideration mix-up and was then repassed. Senate Bill 18, concerning legal protections for a minor and sealing a related name-change record, passed 20-11. Senate Bill 31, concerning lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I controlled substance, passed 29-2. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and took up Senate Bill 46, a property tax administration cleanup bill. After a Finance Committee report and adoption of amendment L003, the bill passed second reading and was ordered engrossed. The committee also laid over Senate Bills 53, 43, and 84 until February 25. Later, the Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 52, concerning coal transition communities and just transition money, and then repassed it. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and recessed until 11:00 a.m. after announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and Musical Therapist Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'll see where we're tracking that in our weekly activity.
• So there's a lot of activity to take a look at in your miscellaneous business. Excellent.
• Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have anything to note on the Tourism Department.
• I was also curious about, um, the hospitality and I guess the tourism department we've...
• The analyst for the Tourism Department. Okay, that's it. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• obviously we had the standalone committee on the film and tax credit film tax credit, but I do see tourism
• And then any comments on the tourism and outdoor recreation?
• I think this year we were expected to see I guess last year, 2024, tourism kind of finally returned to
• And then third, if expanding general fund support for commercial activities is a high priority for the
• And Cal OSBA currently manages nine. active programs, representing more than $141 million in appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nearshoring of these activities reduces the complexity and the risk associated with overseas supply chains
• can serve as a key role in creating local partnerships for economic development and improvement activity
• We show you registered as Adriana Cruz, testifying on behalf of Texas Economic Development and Tourism
• I'm the executive director of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and the Office of the
• I'm the executive director of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office and the Office of the

Bills: HB112 , HB199 , HCR9

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: school district, bond issuance, election dates, voter approval, Texas Education Code, HCR 9, Texas State Cemetery, Hill Country flood, July 4 2025 flood, Guadalupe River, Camp Mystic, memorial, monument, concurrent resolution, disaster remembrance, natural disaster, flood victims, survivors, State Preservation Board, Texas secretary of state

Summary: The Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development met with a quorum and moved quickly through a long agenda, hearing testimony and taking recorded votes on several bills. Early in the meeting, HB 2214 was laid out to exempt certain short-term residential leases and leaseback arrangements from flood-disclosure requirements; Texas Realtors supported the change, and the bill was left pending. The committee then voted out a series of pending measures, including HB 46, HB 186 (with a committee substitute), HB 431, HB 1147, HB 1154, HB 2468, HB 2488, HB 2788 (with a substitute), HB 2791 (with a substitute), HB 3260, and HCR 90, all reported favorably to the full House, with HB 1147 receiving two nays and the others passing unanimously or nearly so. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 112, which would create a Texas Science Park district and commission to support advanced manufacturing and innovation sites. The bill’s author and supporters, including Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Texas Association of Business, and the Governor’s economic development office, argued it would strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and support national security and workforce development. Testimony described interest from semiconductor and advanced manufacturing companies and referenced the model of foreign science parks such as Sinshu in Taiwan. HB 112 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 3698 and HB 3699, both related to unemployment insurance administration. HB 3698 would expand eligibility for the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment program using federal funds, while HB 3699 would tighten the definition of “last work” to help the Texas Workforce Commission investigate UI fraud. Both bills were discussed with TWC resource witnesses and left pending after the committee withdrew the substitutes. HB 1349, which would extend HOA transparency and property-rights provisions to condominiums and refine HOA rules, and HB 621, which would require HOA meeting spaces to be available for residents to reserve for qualified political candidates or elected officials, were also heard and left pending. Finally, the committee heard HCR 9 to designate the first Saturday of each month as Small Business Saturday, HB 199 to index unemployment benefit duration to the state unemployment rate, and HB 3466 to exempt certain cancelable service contracts from Texas’s in-home sales cooling-off law; each drew supportive and opposing testimony and was left pending before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our guardsmen are currently act activated on state, active duty are all volunteers completed 2
• and maintain and strength above 104% and recruiting recruiting ranking a 4th nationally performing active
• duty with an underside recruiting but IR the active duty recruiters in Florida, number of National Guard
• 10 McGregor executive director of the Florida Defense Support Commission and the fence support activities
• You just expound upon what type services are activities that that center performs. Absolutely.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With these three middle school career coaches we have, they go in and they do career exploration activities
• academies, we have a lot of the career academies like business, finance, marketing, hospitality and tourism
• You've got over 3,300 in business and marketing and over 1,500 in hospitality and tourism. Why?
• We being... in business and marketing and over 1,500 are in hospitality and tourism why a business class

Committee: Joint Mobile County Legislation

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas remains an active participant and partner in those ongoing security efforts.
• Item four discusses the revenue related to the private activity bond program.
• Thirdly, we administer the private activity bond program for the state of Texas.
• We represent travel and tourism businesses across Texas, employing over 1.3 million Texans.
• We represent travel and tourism businesses across Texas, employing over 1.3 million Texans.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> needs from business to tourism, needs from business to tourism, agricultural,<00:03:44.400><c>
• As we sit here and speak today, we have two of our graduates active in military training.
• We have a slew of our students active in airport management.
• We have a slew of our students active in airport management.
• We have a slew of our students active in airport management.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force meeting began with approval of the July 14 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association. Association leaders described general aviation airports as important to rural access, commerce, emergency response, tourism, agriculture, and workforce development, and cited statewide economic impacts they said exceed $1.6 billion and support more than 9,400 jobs. They thanked the legislature for prior airport funding and said it had helped airports with basic operations and repairs. The association asked lawmakers for four things: continued appropriations for general aviation airports; relief or a more workable process for required financial audits, which they said can cost $10,000 to $20,000 or more and sometimes exceed a small airport’s annual budget; a regularized statewide appropriations process for airport infrastructure needs, which they said total about $100 million and are currently addressed unevenly; and funding for the Aerospace Education Reinvestment Opportunity Act to support scholarships and aviation workforce training. Members of the task force asked follow-up questions about the audit burden, the difference between financial and safety audits, and the difficulty of finding audit firms. The presenters said they would bring specific ideas back on audit reform. Eastern Kentucky University then presented on its aviation program. EKU leaders thanked the committee for prior support, including a $25 million appropriation for a new flight school building at Central Kentucky Regional Airport, and said the project is expected to break ground in 2026. They reported strong enrollment growth, with 502 aviation majors, most of them Kentuckians, and said the program has expanded flight hours and job placement. EKU also outlined plans to add an air traffic control program in response to Senate Bill 87 and the national shortage of controllers, saying it could train students to FAA standards if the university receives the needed investment in simulators, equipment, space, and faculty. They also discussed the need to replace an aging fleet of training aircraft, saying the current planes are decades old and costly to maintain, and that newer aircraft would improve training quality and reduce student costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we find a violator, we don't do anything to really check and see if we have active violators.
• So all this interstate travel, tourism, people coming through would probably be less affected by this
• So if we don't pass this bill, we're going to let our working people pay more and all this tourism back
• Our working people pay more and all this tourism back and forth, they'll pretty much just do what they
• Jefferson's question because I get that call at least once or twice a week about a work zone that is still active

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Infrastructure Committee first returned to engrossed House Bill 4419, which would require the West Virginia Parkways Authority to hold public hearings and give notice before increasing tolls, rents, fees, or charges, and would allow legislative auditing of related revenues and sinking funds. The committee debated two amendments related to E-ZPass transponders: one from the Senator from Jefferson to clarify that the Parkway Authority would not be required to read every plate failed on a 4-4 tie, and one from the Senator from Wetzel to codify a restriction on transferring single-fee transponders between vehicles was rejected after discussion with counsel and the Parkways Authority about current policy, convenience for users, and possible effects on the bill. The committee then approved a motion to send HB 4419 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, but first be referred to Finance, and a separate motion to send it to Finance passed. The committee also considered engrossed House Bill 4563, on which Senator Randolph moved for a second reference to Finance because of fiscal concerns. After discussion of the newly filed fiscal note and the bill’s potential revenue impact, that motion failed by a 4-5 division vote. The committee then voted to report HB 4563 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 4538, which increases fines and penalties for failing to obey traffic control instructions or speeding in construction and work zones, and also references penalties tied to distracted driving provisions. Counsel noted the bill’s possible overlap with existing vehicular homicide penalties and that it had no fiscal note. Jason Pizzitella of the Contractors Association testified in support, emphasizing work-zone safety and recent fatalities, while senators from Fayette, Randolph, and Jefferson also supported the bill and discussed the need to protect workers and drivers. The committee adopted a motion to report HB 4538 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the California Travel Association, the advocacy organization representing the travel and tourism
• organizations, including destinations, lodging, attractions, and other organizations for whom travel and tourism
• organizations, including destinations, lodging, attractions, and other organizations for whom travel and tourism
• We do not want to go inside of these homes and have the liability associated with any of that activity
• We do not want to go inside of these homes and have the liability associated with any of that activity

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard four items, including one consent bill, and began before quorum was established. AB 760, by Assemblymember Ta, would temporarily allow mobile home park-owned homes to be rented to people displaced by a natural disaster in areas under a declared state of emergency, including adjacent jurisdictions. Supporters said it would quickly add housing after fires, floods, or earthquakes; there was no opposition at the hearing, and members generally praised the narrow committee amendments. The bill later passed on a due-pass-as-amended vote. Chair Haney presented AB 1445, which would let cities create downtown recovery districts to finance office-to-housing conversions and other downtown revitalization projects using growth in property tax revenue. Support came from the California Travel Association, Housing Action Coalition, IKEA, Spur, Abundant Housing, and Circulate San Diego, with members saying the bill could help downtowns recover and expand mixed-use housing. The committee voiced support and interest in broader use of the tool, and the bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote. AB 456, by Assemblymember Connolly, drew the most extensive debate. The bill would prohibit mobile home park managers from requiring interior repairs or improvements as a condition of sale and would require timely written lists of exterior repairs, with supporters arguing that park managers are interfering with sales and delaying closings. Opponents, led by the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, argued that interior inspections are needed to protect buyers and park residents from unsafe conditions and potential liability. Members raised questions about safety, disclosure, HCD oversight, and liability; after discussion, the bill was moved on a due-pass-as-amended vote, with some members not voting or expressing reservations. The committee also approved the consent calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome you to today's hearing on the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism.
• They generate millions of dollars in economic activity.
• Close to 13,000 jobs are created over the month-long build time and activation.
• SB 865 is an investment in supporting California jobs, California tourism, California businesses, and
• and Central Avenue, where murals and public art reflect a deeply rooted tradition of creativity, activism

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard several bills focused on California’s creative economy, sports development, and cultural preservation. SB 226 by Senator Cabaldon would clarify that infrastructure revitalization financing districts may be used for entertainment and sports facilities, with testimony from West Sacramento officials emphasizing that the tool would rely only on project-generated city tax increment and would not affect school districts, counties, or the General Fund. Members discussed the relationship between IRFDs and EIFDs and the distinction between infrastructure financing and direct subsidy of private sports teams or stadiums. SB 865 by Senator Ashby proposed support for destination music festivals, citing the economic impact of events such as Aftershock and Golden Sky in Sacramento and similar festivals elsewhere in the state. Supporters from Visit Sacramento and Danny Wimmer Presents said festivals generate substantial jobs, tax revenue, and tourism spending while promoters bear the financial risk. Several committee members and public witnesses supported the bill as a way to sustain the creative economy, local businesses, and opportunities for artists. The bill passed the committee on a unanimous vote and was sent to Appropriations. SB 1050 by Senator Ashby would require disclosures when synthetic performers are used in advertisements, including audio ads, to inform consumers and protect human performers from displacement. SAG-AFTRA and voice actor advocates argued that consumers deserve to know when an ad uses AI-generated likenesses or voices, while TechNet, the Motion Picture Association, broadcasters, and other industry groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about overbreadth, audio-only implementation, private enforcement, and the need for clearer exemptions and definitions. Members generally supported the bill’s goal but noted technical issues to refine; it passed unanimously to Judiciary. SB 1073 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a voluntary tax checkoff to support the South Los Angeles Black Cultural District. Supporters described the district’s historic and cultural significance and framed the measure as a way to help preserve Black cultural assets amid limited public funding. Members discussed how the checkoff would appear on tax forms statewide, its voluntary nature, and whether it could serve as a model for other districts. The bill also passed unanimously to Appropriations, and the committee later adopted the consent calendar unanimously as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's hearing on the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism.
• They generate millions of dollars in economic activity.
• Close to 13,000 jobs are created over the month-long build time and activation.
• SB 865 is an investment in supporting California jobs, California tourism, California businesses, and
• and Central Avenue, where murals and public art reflect a deeply rooted tradition of creativity, activism

Committee: House Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you remember, I think you all voted for a bill that opened up government activity more to the public
• The witness continued by discussing a tourism board and said he had given them $25,000 last year and
• I'm thinking about like my opponent, appointed tourism.
• My board, like my board of directors is tourist. appointed tourism.
• My board of, like my board of directors is tourism. I mean, I don't know.

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on public access, transparency, and campaign finance. HB 648, as amended, would allow early childhood providers and parents of children under five to participate virtually in certain boards and commissions when in-person attendance is not feasible; supporters said it would help short-staffed providers and busy parents, while an opponent argued participation is different from observation. The bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 615 would require certain public bodies with taxing, rulemaking, or fee-setting authority to broadcast meetings live and keep an online archive; supporters emphasized low-cost technology and broader access, while local government representatives warned of unfunded mandates, confusion over which bodies are covered, and concerns about archiving and platform dependence. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the recording/broadcast language and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 627, a similar live-streaming bill by Rep. Knox, was voluntarily deferred in favor of HB 615. The committee also considered HB 996, which would allow campaign funds to be used for clothing required for holding office and related cleaning/maintenance. The author said the bill was meant to offset required professional attire costs for legislators with modest salaries, but members raised concerns about public perception, possible abuse, and whether a cap should be added. The bill was voluntarily deferred so the author could work with members on a cap and narrower language. HB 540, dealing with disclosures for certain digital political communications and influencer-style campaign advertising, was discussed as a way to require disclosure when third parties are paid from campaign funds to promote or attack candidates online; members sought clarification that it would apply to paid campaign content rather than ordinary self-posted material. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 270, which would allow qualified incarcerated voters who have not been convicted of a felony to vote absentee by mail if they are first-time mail registrants and cannot vote in person. The author said the bill was intended to resolve a conflict between existing voting statutes and preserve already-existing voting rights for pretrial detainees and others not convicted of felonies. Supporters said incarcerated voters are highly verifiable and the bill would reduce confusion, while opponents raised concerns about administration. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to involuntarily defer the bill by a recorded vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism will come to order. Clerk, call the roll.
• As of today, this remains the northernmost active case.
• Surveillance activity is essential to combat a New World screwworm infestation.
• We continue to actively communicate best management...
• Finally, I would encourage you to make ...regards to intrastate activities.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.