Video & Transcript : 'carbon capture and sequestration' :
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HI
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Postsecondary Education Apr 7th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Closed the vote and declared the vote. Representative Hassenbach with nine ayes and zero nays.
- Closed the vote and declared the vote. Representative Hassenbach with nine ayes and zero nays.
- You can look someone in the face and take instruction and learn from them.
- And so it would just pass them.
- Close the vote and declare the vote. Representative Hassenbach with nine ayes and zero nays.
Committee:
House Postsecondary Education
Keywords:
education, concurrent enrollment, students, age restrictions, academic access, apprenticeship, career education, youth programs, employment, technology centers, SB1593, OSU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University/Tulsa, Board of Trustees, higher education, university governance, A&M Board, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, presidential search, board rules
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- That's kind of why I envision them deciding what the high point is and setting the fee and basing it
- It's trying to modernize startup ecosystems and get some venture capital and university collaboration
- Representative, I was at the budget hearing for Career Tech, and they're already geared and ready to
- And so that's the benefit here.
- And a second? Second. And will there be discussion or debate?
Committee:
House Postsecondary Education
Keywords:
education, concurrent enrollment, students, age restrictions, academic access, apprenticeship, career education, youth programs, employment, technology centers, SB1593, OSU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University/Tulsa, Board of Trustees, higher education, university governance, A&M Board, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges, presidential search, board rules
Summary:
The Postsecondary Education Committee considered a series of higher education and career-tech bills, with members asking mostly clarifying questions about eligibility, implementation, and alignment with existing law. House Bill 1477, requested by the State Regents, would limit concurrent enrollment to students age 21 or under; it passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1593 updated language on the Oklahoma State University Board of Trustees to reflect current practice and passed 6-0. Senate Bill 1725 addressed expressive activities on public campuses by allowing security fees for students or student groups, but not based on the content of expression, and also directed free speech training through the Oklahoma Free Speech Committee; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1670, a State Chamber priority bill, aimed to strengthen startup ecosystems, venture capital, and industry-embedded research to help move university research into private-sector jobs, and it passed 9-0.
The committee also advanced Senate Bill 1726, which would establish a baseline training course for graduate student instructors at colleges and universities. Supporters said it would standardize instruction across institutions and help ensure a consistent level of preparation for graduate instructors teaching undergraduates; it passed 7-2. Senate Bill 1633 would align Oklahoma statute with federal law following a consent judgment regarding tuition eligibility for individuals not lawfully present in the United States; members discussed how “lawfully present” would apply to DACA recipients and others with federal immigration status, and the bill passed 6-3. Senate Bill 1735, a cleanup measure shifting certain oversight of technology center career tech schools more directly under the State Board of Career and Technology Education, passed 9-0.
Later, the committee approved Senate Bill 1480, a pilot program for paid apprenticeships for 16-year-old students within career tech settings, despite questions about why a pilot was needed when career techs were already prepared to do similar work; it passed 9-0. Finally, an amendment to Senate Bill 1632 changed “shall” to “may” and allowed the State Board of Regents to use workforce assessments such as WorkKeys to award some entry-level college credit for students who score highly, especially those returning to community college or seeking an associate degree; after discussion about the limits of the credit, the amended measure passed 9-0. The meeting concluded with thanks to members as the committee’s final meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. ...sent to the local and uncontested calendar.
- and you change statute, and you move forward.
- drinks and alcohol, and we had to...
- And they were serving drinks and alcohol, and we had to tamp that down.
- And a quick follow-up to that, because I do think that this spa and injections and whatever.
Bills:
SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1206 , SB1460 , SB1802 , SB1906 , SB1917 , SB2340 , SB2455 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB705 , SB748
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
SB 1113, converter's license, converter license, motor vehicle dealer, auto dealer, vehicle conversion, converted vehicles, direct sales, retail sales, trailer, semitrailer, manufactured trailer, chassis, manufacturer's statement of origin, MSO, Occupations Code, Transportation Code, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing, general distinguishing number
Summary:
The committee took up pending business first and reported several bills favorably, including SB 2139, SB 2610, SB 1856, SB 2530, SB 2401, SB 2858, and SB 3016, with most of those measures moving out on committee substitutes and being sent to the local and uncontested calendar or to the full Senate. The committee also heard SB 1906 on expanding Chapter 342E consumer lending rates; supporters argued it would modernize Texas law and expand access to safe, regulated credit, while opponents from Texas Appleseed and AARP warned it would raise costs on already expensive loans and worsen debt burdens. SB 1906 was left pending after testimony. The committee also reconsidered and re-voted SB 1856 after a procedural issue, with the substitute ultimately adopted and the bill reported favorably.
The committee then heard SB 1113, which would clarify that certain vehicle converters, including a Texarkana business, do not need an additional dealer license to sell converted vehicles. The bill’s supporters described a long-standing business model and said the new metal license plate rules had created problems, while the Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill in its current form and said it could be resolved through DMV action or narrower changes. DMV said it was still researching a possible administrative fix, and SB 1113 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2680, a Public Information Act cleanup bill dealing with emergency deadlines, business-day exclusions, and litigation timing; broadcasters and other open-government advocates argued the issues were already addressed by prior law and court rulings, while the Attorney General’s office said the bill would help with catastrophe notices and timing conflicts. SB 2680 was left pending.
Other bills heard included SB 1117, which would allow any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin neuromodulators for aesthetic purposes in the oral and maxillofacial region; the author and dental witnesses said it would clarify scope and improve access, and the bill was left pending. SB 2340 would clarify the Attorney General’s investigative authority over Texas corporations, including pre-suit depositions and sworn written questions; opponents raised due process and separation-of-powers concerns, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 705 and SB 748, both TDLR cleanup bills, and SB 1206, which would impose timelines and notice requirements on municipalities reviewing transmission projects; SB 1206 was supported by an electric cooperative and left pending. SB 1460, creating an ethics violation registry tied to licensing consequences, drew constitutional and due-process objections from several witnesses and was also left pending. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1802 on landlord duties to repair mobility assistance devices like elevators and ramps in rental housing, with the author describing prolonged outages affecting seniors; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 2455, creating an Energy Waste Advisory Committee to coordinate efficiency and demand-response programs, drew support from energy-efficiency and environmental witnesses and was left pending, and SB 2690, targeting deceptive business-certification solicitations, was laid out and opened to testimony before the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And for some of us that stood up and decided that we were going to speak up and take care of patients
- And, you know, he was great, and we kind of went back and forth.
- He was great, and we kind of went back and forth.
- And it gets pretty old. And COVID was a very... Everything. And it gets pretty old.
- And we're going to keep coming back at this bill and that bill and this bill and that bill.
Bills:
SB331 , SB883 , SB926 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1144 , SB1151 , SB1236 , SB1270 , SB1522 , SB1869 , SB2207 , SB2422
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Keywords:
healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending.
Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- ><00:03:06.120><c> community</c><00:03:06.680><c> it</c> and and more than the community it and and more
- </c> priority and every single plane and priority and every single plane and Aviator<00:09:31.120><c>
- and and yield for to my testimony today and and yield for any<00:10:12.360><c> questions</c><00:10:13.360
- :31.280><c> now</c><00:20:31.679><c> though</c> SUVs and cars and so right now though SUVs and cars and
- </c> and whilea due to Staffing and and whilea due to Staffing and prolonging<00:39:45.400><c> the</c
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Governor's Inauguration (01/05/2023)
Keywords:
NH House of Representatives Committee Streaming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P2SebNSBew, 2026-07-02T03:39:36+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/calendars_journals/
0:00 House Session – Inauguration Day – January 5, 2023
9:23 Call the House to Order
9:25 Adjourn from Session of January 4, 2023
9:38 Leaves of Absence
11:20 Introduction of Guests
11:58 Resolution to form Joint Convention
16:51 Senate Message
17:19 Introduction of Senate and Senate President
18:45 Joint Convention called to Order
18:49 Report by Joint Committee
19:12 Introduction and Seating of Special Guests
28:27 Recess
40:56 Joint Convention called to Order
40:59 Introduction and Seating of Special Guests (Cont.)
42:35 Introduction of Governor Sununu and Mrs. Sununu
43:29 Invocation by Pastor Michael Worsley
48:22 Posting of Colors by New Hampshire National Guard
49:18 Pledge of Allegiance by Charlotte Cotti
49:46 National Anthem by Molly Dennehy
52:40 Administration of Oath to Governor Sununu
54:41 Administration of Oath to Executive Counselors
56:45 Inaugural Address by Governor Sununu
1:23:47 Benediction by Pastor Michael Worsley
1:28:25 Adjournment of Joint Convention
1:29:33 House called to Order
1:29:35 Adjourn from the Early Session
1:30:13 Recess to the Call of the Chair, 928, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/14/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And it's And it's don't kill them.
- and and we needed the training modules and and<00:32:05.760><c> the</c><00:32:05.840><c> schedule</c
- ><c> and</c> supervisors in HHS sat here and and supervisors in HHS sat here and and testified<00:41:
- and pick a side and and that's tough,<00:52:13.520><c> right?
- And the things and over and over again.
Keywords:
child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- , but time is also money and adds a lot of costs and a lot of uncertainty and disincentivizes people
- And so Mr.
- ...and their housing sizes up and down.
- and turn into Sanford and Son?
- and crime.
Committee:
House Commerce
Keywords:
workers' compensation, industrial commission, safety regulations, employee protection, penalties, compliance, municipal planning, homeowners associations, design regulations, property rights, building permits, single-family homes, liquor, alcohol, spirituous liquor, liquor license, liquor licensing, Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, restaurant to-go cocktails, mixed cocktails
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Commerce and Small Business
Transcript Highlights:
- Utah and they came and had a suggestion.
- But then somebody comes in later and owns McDonald's and tells you you got to shut it down. and they
- 00:09:12.160><c> and</c><00:09:12.399><c> the</c><00:09:12.720><c> only</c> and negotiated in Utah and
- and owns McDonald's and comes in later and owns McDonald's and tells<00:10:47.839><c> you</c><00:10:
- </c> business and they've not been open and business and they've not been open and they<00:11:34.399>
Committee:
House Commerce and Small Business
Keywords:
financial services, banking, insurance, debanking, social credit score, ESG, environmental, social, and governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, religious freedom, free speech, viewpoint discrimination, political discrimination, firearms, gun industry, ammunition, fossil fuels, oil and gas, mining, timber
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- in the room and bouncing back and forth.
- And I think it's loud and clear from the testimony in the room and emails and letters that... ...in the
- Chair and Representative, and Mr.
- So to sit and we made notes last night, and we're trying to get up this morning and get this and having
- And it was too tight and too restrictive.
Committee:
House House Education
Keywords:
general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- and the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job conditions.
- And the exposures and the carcinogens and just the job conditions of both of these professions.
- And I know we feel like we're crafting and chiseling away and trying to make this perfect economy that
- He thanked the stakeholders and staff for their work, including O'Reill and Allison, and said, “It’s
- I think it's a good practice so it's asking L and I to do that and then the last thing is and we've
Committee:
House Labor & Workplace Standards
Keywords:
transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing, workers' compensation, occupational disease, firefighters, fire investigators, law enforcement officers, first responders, heart disease, cardiac conditions, respiratory disease, cancer presumption
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- And as Mr.
- to listen and how kindness and how far kindness goes.
- And as we're thinking about prevention, and we're thinking about what we know about young people and
- And I have found children that lived and died in between census records, and they're not connected to
- And so this really starts to set some calendar expectations, and I like that part and promote that part
Keywords:
civic health, community engagement, committee reestablishment, public participation, governance, Washington State Leadership Board, WSLB, gift acceptance, grants, endowments, private funding, public funding, fundraising, state board, youth leadership, civic engagement, leadership development, Washington World Fellows, sports mentoring, Boundless Washington
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (11-10-25)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMvRlWpK6m0, 2026-06-21T07:17:12+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 0:01 – Call to order/roll call
0:43 – Approval of minutes
1:07 – Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
2:41 – Personnel Cabinet
5:03 – Board of Medical Licensure
31:23 – Vote for finding of deficiency for 201 KAR 009:270 (Board of Medical Licensure)
35:00 – Board of Landscape Architects
37:15 – Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
38:14 – Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
39:04 – Board of Respiratory Care
42:42 – Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources
46:05 – Department of Criminal Justice Training
46:59 – Board of Education
47:55 – Kentucky Fire Commission
48:28 – Department of Workplace Standards
49:25 – CHFS – Office of the Inspector General – 900 KAR 005:020 & 900 KAR 006:075
57:17 – CHFS – Office of the Inspector General – 902 KAR 055:015E
1:19:40 – CHFS – Department for Medicaid Services, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
- be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
- be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
- Chair and members.
- So, yes, and the brackets were 500,000 and up remain the same.
Bills:
HB2385 , HB3349 , HB3962 , HB3883 , HB4396 , HB4811 , HB5088 , HB4588 , HB4867 , HB4895 , HB5398 , HB5616
Committee:
House Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Keywords:
NRA, funding, major events reimbursement, annual meetings, exhibits, events trust fund, Pan American Games, Olympic Games, motor sports racing, local control, event support contract, INDYCAR, Arlington, tourism, funding eligibility, sporting events, economic impact, local governments, American Performance Horseman, American Rodeo
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Why is carbon capture given a special advantage over oil and gas, over the chemical industry, over every
- I came in two years ago, and I moved that we'd do away with the cap for carbon capture.
- Of course, you know, there was a little bit different environment then on carbon capture, and I had to
- I think people realize now that carbon capture can be very dangerous.
- There's no other industry... that carbon capture can be very dangerous.
Committee:
House Civil Law and Procedure
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee can show it never held property or owed the debtor during the garnishment period. After brief questions about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. Senate Bill 260, a youth athletics coaches training bill, was then amended to remove language about the department using donated funds to purchase courses and was reported as amended.
House Bill 79, by Chairman Carter, would remove the damages cap for carbon capture release claims. Carter argued carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive special liability protection, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. The committee also took up Senate Bill 424, which clarifies that electronic service applies only to counsel of record representing a party, and Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing a surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying homestead. SB 180 received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.88 report before being reported as amended.
The longest discussion centered on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. Supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are used for medical care, reduce abuse, and function like a restricted account with a card or similar payment mechanism; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, administrative confusion, and impacts on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, trauma-informed care outside standard billing codes. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee adopted an amendment set and reported the bill favorably by a 6-1 vote, with Representative Carter voting no.
Finally, House Bill 437 was heard and amended. The bill would prohibit expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case, while still allowing inquiry into an expert’s prior testimony history. An amendment excluded criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings, and the committee continued discussion with testimony from supporters and opponents as the transcript ended.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 43 Apr 20th, 2026
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Anthony Hospital and Bone and Joint Hospital at St.
- and in the days and weeks thereafter.
- And we will always choose hope over hate, and we will lead with kindness and humility.
- I pray that you have courage and strength and wisdom, and that you have love and peace in your life.
- And that you have love and peace in your life forever and ever, world without end. Amen and amen.
Keywords:
Oklahoma City, terrorism, Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, memorial, remembrance, first responders, community support, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, fossil fuels, liability protection, climate change, energy independence, oil and gas
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several special recognitions tied to the 31st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. The chamber honored the 138th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department as Veterans of the Week, and also recognized Dr. Camissa Stewart as Doctor of the Day and Tammy Powell as Nurse of the Day for their roles in the 1995 bombing response. A lengthy floor presentation followed, featuring remarks from legislators, Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, memorial museum leaders, Justice Stephen Taylor, and Pastor Ronnie Fields, all focused on remembrance, the Oklahoma standard, the victims and survivors, and the importance of hope, civility, and the rule of law.
On legislation, Senate Bill 1733 was presented and debated. The bill requires school personnel who have reason to believe a student is a victim of child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct to report it to law enforcement within 24 hours. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens reporting requirements to protect children, while opponents warned it could trigger harmful public accusations and undermine trust in educators and administrators. The House passed the bill 92-1, and the emergency clause also passed 92-1.
The House also considered Senate Bill 1439, an oil and gas measure intended to bar speculative climate-related lawsuits and limit liability to actual violations and provable harm. Supporters argued it would prevent frivolous litigation, protect the state’s energy economy, and keep costs down for consumers; opponents said it would create a special legal carve-out for industry and shift costs to taxpayers and families. The bill passed 74-16. In addition, Senate Bill 2184 was assigned to Rules, and H.J.R. 1078 and H.J.R. 1079 were withdrawn from Rules and sent to appropriations and budget committees. The House adjourned after announcements and introductions.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Ports and Marine Resources (Part 2)- Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 3:30 PM
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (11-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- All of my and we shop at mom and pops.
- </c> rich and deep history in that region and rich and deep history in that region and though<00:20:52.240
- </c><00:47:57.119><c> and</c> on neighborhoods of inequality and and on neighborhoods of inequality and
- We own and operate and of Louisville.
- so</c><00:51:35.359><c> we</c> and decided what could we do and so we and decided what could we do and
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:19
Signage Value & Tourism Growth Along the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Trail 00:03:12
Building a Stronger Community Through Sports 00:32:03, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then heard a presentation from Pike County/Pikeville tourism officials about improving signage for the Hatfield-McCoy historic sites. Bob Scott, Tony Tacket, and Jay Shepard said visitors increasingly come to the area but often cannot find the sites because cell service and GPS are unreliable in the mountains. They argued that clearer signage along routes 119, 319, and 1056 would help visitors navigate the historic loop, strengthen branding, and increase dwell time and local spending.
The Pike County presenters emphasized the economic importance of tourism, citing growth in tourist spending from $72.93 million in 2017 to $103.2 million in 2023 and $114.6 million in 2024. They said tourism helps offset the decline of coal, supports local mom-and-pop businesses, and benefits from partnerships with nearby West Virginia sites such as Matewan and other Hatfield-McCoy-related locations. Members asked about cross-state promotion, lodging capacity, and the possibility of a dinner show in Kentucky; the presenters said lodging is up 33% but more is needed, a new Crown Plaza hotel is planned in Pikeville, and a dinner show would require local investment and community buy-in.
Committee members from the region spoke in support of the tourism effort and the need to preserve and teach local history. The chair and others said signage would help visitors and noted that a business without signs is no business. The committee then moved on to a separate presentation from the Louisville Sports Commission, introduced by Senator Jason Howell, which began with an overview of the commission’s role in sports tourism and economic development in Louisville.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- The men and women of our agency have done a great job holding out those fires and controlling them.
- They are an integral part of what we do, and we love to give them support and help.
- I wanted to ask John to come up and talk to you just for a minute about the fire potential and what..
- . ... minute about the fire potential and what we're going to see in possibly the next month or so, and
- We can then give those old ones to volunteer fire departments, and we'll work with them to maintain and
Bills:
HB352
Committee:
House Agriculture and Forestry
Keywords:
HB352, cotton, cotton bale assessment, cotton levy, cotton producers, agriculture, forestry, Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, per bale fee, commodity assessment, producer referendum, cotton sales tax, Alabama Code 2-8-199, cotton commission, agricultural funding, 1136, house, all