Video & Transcript Research : 'declining enrollment'
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TX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) program for people who think in acronyms permits participants. to enroll
- This leads to older adults being food insecure and declining in their health.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- For the opportunity to testify today, my name is Selena Beasley, and I am an enrolled member of the Red
- We declined to do so.
Bills:
HF2233, HF1999, HF1995, HF1614, HF2781, HF1775, HF1316, HF2127, HF2521, HF689, HF2380, HF1273
Keywords:
Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of, I guess just the DFPS data that shows declining performance in some of these rural areas.
- they face when they age out of foster care, and they're, some of them that make it that far are enrolled
Keywords:
commercial sexual exploitation, child sex trafficking, human trafficking, child welfare, foster care, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, juvenile probation, risk assessment, needs assessment, trauma screening, child abuse prevention, exploitation screening, validated screening tool, evidence-informed tool, conservatorship, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, trafficking prevention, Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Education Pre-K - 12 Feb 11th, 2025
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Feb 4th, 2025
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:47:18.280>
in <00:47:18.400>a enrollment in a enrollment in a course<00:47:20.359>< - less than half as likely to be enrolled less than half as likely to be enrolled in<00:53:46.880>
- expansion of the automatic enrollment expansion of the automatic enrollment policy<00:59:22.079>
- English or um dual enrollment English or um dual enrollment pre-calculus<01:09:21.400>
rather - priorities of an automatic enrollment priorities of an automatic enrollment policy<01:14:10.719>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Transcript Highlights:
- seems that we have, we will have, when we've had, because of criminal justice reform, a significant decline
- On two occasions, police declined to enforce a psychiatric hold, and on another, declined to issue a
- in jail, still untreated, despite my calls to crisis mobile teams, a CIT team, and despite his enrollment
- Currently, there does seem to be some decline in the numbers of people who are boarding, from a high
- Even if those numbers have declined since the roadmap services have rolled out, we're still getting calls
Summary:
The committee held its fourth public hearing of the 2025-2026 session on bills dealing with involuntary commitment and access to addiction treatment, especially proposals to move Section 35 civil commitments away from jails and prisons and into facilities licensed or approved by DPH or DMH. Chairs Velis and Domb framed the hearing as a discussion of how to support people in crisis with compassion, while also warning against using involuntary commitment as a way to remove unhoused people from public view. The hearing also touched on related concerns about discharge practices, treatment capacity, and the need for a broader continuum of care.
Testimony split largely along two themes. Addiction researcher Keith Humphreys argued that many people enter treatment under pressure, that involuntary treatment can be ethically justified in the face of overdose risk, but that it should not be mandated unless high-quality services exist first; he emphasized the need for inpatient care when someone is a grave danger, followed by case management and outpatient support. MAMH’s Kate Alicante supported the bill, saying Massachusetts is the only state that commits people with substance use conditions to jails or prisons and that carceral settings add trauma and stigma; she pointed to prior legislative steps, including the Section 35 commission and the planned closure of DOC’s MESAC facility, as evidence that the Commonwealth is moving toward health-based settings.
A major portion of the hearing focused on Stony Brook, a sheriff-run stabilization and treatment center in Hampden County. Boston City Councilor John Fitzgerald, several committee members, and multiple people in recovery described the facility as humane, well-run, and effective, with longer stays, medical monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and warm handoffs to aftercare. Several witnesses said Stony Brook saved their lives or helped family members recover, and they argued that the sheriff’s office model should be expanded rather than eliminated. Others, including family members and advocates, countered that even a well-run correctional setting remains stigmatizing and that people should not be treated in facilities run by sheriffs or corrections when they have committed no crime.
No vote was taken. The hearing concluded with continued testimony, including Senator Friedman’s support for Section 35 as a civil commitment tool but not in a criminal justice setting, and her separate support for a bill to speed inpatient mental health treatment.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 10, February 20, 2026-PM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
in <00:03:29.360>Wyoming's first librarians enrolled in Wyoming's first librarians enrolled - It is for a dual enrollment program.
- It is for a dual enrollment program.
- dual enrollment programs. dual enrollment programs. Further<00:27:21.840>
discussion? - enrolled in that were approved for that. enrolled in that were approved for that.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- litigation funding requests for limited-term funding of $14.2 million special funds in 2026-27, declining
- litigation funding requests for limited-term funding of $14.2 million special funds in 2026-27, declining
- litigation funding requests for limited-term funding of $14.2 million special funds in 2026-27, declining
- investigations that we distinguish between bad actor providers and beneficiaries who are just making enrollment
- investigations that we distinguish between bad actor providers and beneficiaries who just are making enrollment
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision proposals for labor, public safety/judiciary, and transportation, and no votes were taken. In Part A on labor, the Employment Development Department reviewed proposals for EDD Next document management system funding, updated UI loan interest costs, disability insurance and paid family leave benefit and administration adjustments, WIOA funding changes, UI administrative and benefit changes, school employee benefit adjustments, an EMT training reappropriation, and a technical correction tied to EDD Next. PERB discussed funding tied to AB 28 and AB 1, including litigation-related workload and new jurisdiction over legislative employees. DIR presented proposals for legal unit reclassifications, two major IT modernization projects, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COIA reappropriation, and trailer bill language on electronic assessment payments and the DWC director salary cap. CalHR proposed additional funding for a consolidated employee assistance program contract, and CalPERS and CalSTRS presented budget adjustments tied to investment costs and state contribution changes.
Members focused heavily on UI debt and interest payments, asking the administration for a plan to reduce the outstanding loan and relieve employers. Finance said no specific repayment plan was included in the May Revision, while LAO said the state’s UI tax structure is structurally insufficient and that any debt payoff should be paired with tax-system reform. Senators also questioned EDD Next costs and timelines, PERB’s caseload and staffing needs, and DIR’s emerging technologies unit, with LAO noting that the unit would appear focused on physical workplace safety rather than broader AI labor issues. CalHR said the new EAP contract would consolidate services, improve access to clinicians, and lower costs relative to the current model. CalPERS defended higher external management fees as part of a strategy to pursue higher net returns, while some members pressed for more transparency about private investments; CalSTRS said it was not prepared to address investment-strategy questions at this hearing.
Public comment in Part A was dominated by advocates urging support for an immigration enforcement emergency relief fund, along with comments supporting the Jails to Jobs proposal, the Apprenticeship Innovation Fund, and additional PERB funding. The chair noted that many of the immigration-related requests might fall under other committees and said staff would follow up. In Part B, Finance and LAO outlined judicial branch and DOJ May Revision items, including funding for court interpreter services, appellate court security, lactation room implementation delays, courthouse construction reappropriations, and DOJ budget increases. LAO recommended approving the language-access proposal with a report on reducing interpreter cost growth and reducing the General Fund backfill for state court facilities by $10 million on an ongoing basis.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 120 May 14th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , 1307, 1315, 1324, 1326, 1427, 1431, and 1432 correctly... 1326, 1427, 1431, and 1432 correctly enrolled
- Senate Bill 135 and 189 correctly enrolled. Majority Leader Rodriguez. Thank you, Mr. President.
- Freedom House attributes this decline to the erosion of the independent judiciary, attacks on our systems
- Senator Rodriguez was largely backed by the more progressive wing of the caucus, but declined to define
- ... ...of the caucus, but declined to define himself that way when asked.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have over 50,000 youth enrolled in our 4-H Youth Development programs right now.
- We have over 50,000 youth enrolled in our 4-H Youth Development programs right now.
- We have over 50,000 youth enrolled in our 4-H Youth Development programs right now.
- We have over 50,000 youth enrolled in our 4-H Youth Development programs right now.
- One question is what can you do to have underscreened populations enroll?
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-25 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- "What happens if TDT collection declines, like in a recession, which some economists have predicted this
- There is some speculation that if our economic situation nationally were to decline, and we would see
- There is some speculation that if our economic situation nationally were declined, and we would see less
- I don't expect tourism to decline. Representative Dan, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
- So there are currently 95,000 students that are enrolled in programs per the waiver program that's in
Summary:
The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The Rules and Ethics Committee report setting the special order calendar was adopted, and the Speaker announced schedule changes for the following week, including canceling the floor session on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
The main floor action centered on CS/HB 7033, the House tax package. Sponsor Rep. Duggan described broad tax changes, including reducing the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25%, exempting certain bullion sales, repealing the aviation fuel tax, delaying the natural gas fuel tax, changing corporate income tax treatment for charitable trusts, reducing the pari-mutuel tax on card rooms, and major changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use. The bill would redirect most TDT revenue toward property tax relief, dissolve tourist development councils, and include related property tax and local tax administration changes. Several amendments were debated: a Driscoll amendment to preserve local TDT flexibility failed; Duggan’s amendment giving local governments 25% discretion over TDT revenues was adopted; Eskamani’s combined-reporting amendment failed; and a Duggan amendment requiring audit certification of compliance with the TDT/property tax relief provisions was adopted. After debate, CS/HB 7033 passed 78-29.
The House then took up CS/CS/HB 1221 on local option taxes, which was presented as a companion-style measure to give local governments more flexibility while redirecting TDT revenues toward property tax relief. Supporters argued the bill would provide immediate relief to property owners and restore accountability in local tax use, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism funding, infrastructure, and local services. An amendment allowing local governments to retain 25% of TDT revenues for general purposes was adopted, and the bill passed 62-45 after floor debate.
The final item shown was the reading of CS/CS/HJR 1257, a proposed constitutional amendment related to property tax exemptions and assessment limits, but the transcript cuts off before debate or action on that measure.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- What is different about changing the term wait lists to pre-enrollment lists?
- What is different about changing the term wait lists to pre-enrollment lists?
- And so there's an opportunity to go on to the pre-enrollment list.
- What is different about changing the term wait lists to pre-enrollment lists?
- And so there's an opportunity to go on to the pre-enrollment list. Additional question.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and included several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, firefighters, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions for Senate measures before final passage. The first major bill, health care patient protection, required hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, a pediatric emergency care coordinator, and readiness assessments; it passed 36-0. A public records bill protecting victim identities and temporarily exempting the name of a law enforcement officer who is a victim also passed after questions about access for victims of police misconduct, with a 33-4 vote.
The Senate next approved a local government cybersecurity bill creating a state-administered program through Florida Digital Service to help counties and cities strengthen cyber defenses, with priority for rural and fiscally constrained governments; after amendments, it passed 37-0. A clerks of court bill allowing clerks to retain all revenue above projections and, through a House amendment, revising legal notice and traffic citation distribution provisions, passed 38-0 despite debate over impacts on municipalities and law enforcement. The chamber also passed a trademark modernization bill and a septic system permit bill intended to reduce delays for builders; the septic bill was amended to align the House and Senate versions and passed 38-0.
The longest and most contested item was the elections bill, which updated citizenship verification procedures using REAL ID and state databases, changed candidate qualification rules, and altered election administration provisions. Numerous amendments were offered and rejected, including proposals to exempt certain seniors, preserve student and retirement-center IDs, allow attestations in place of documentary proof of citizenship, and require human review over automated systems. One amendment to delay implementation until July 1, 2027, was also debated. The transcript ends while debate is still underway on the elections measure, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 9th, 2026 at 11:52 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, I'm directed to inform the House that the duly enrolled and engrossed copy of House Bill 50,
- Speaker, I'm directed to inform the House that the duly enrolled in an engross copy of House Bill 50
- Adoption of the enrolling report. The gentlelady moves adoption.
- Let the record reflect that all duly enrolled and engrossed copies of House Memorials 5, 8, 9, 18, 19
- Requirements for having your child vaccinated or whatever in order to enroll them.
Bills:
HB111, HB61, HB43, HB156, HB70, SB3, HB103, HB109, HB128, HB247, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- And it allows for a statewide pause so that we can better understand, as a commonwealth, declining prison
- impacted by the hospital closures with Stewart, and provides direct support to people who need help enrolling
- Every year in prison contributes to a two-year decline in life expectancy for incarcerated people.
- And it's interesting because while the incarcerated population has actually declined over the past few
Summary:
The committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a hybrid hearing covering public construction, business regulations, and honorary designations, with most of the discussion focused on two matters: a five-year moratorium on new jail and prison construction (S. 2114/H. 3422) and a bill designating June 7 as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day (S. 2152/H. 3305). The chair emphasized that the hearing was public, testimony would be recorded, and speakers should generally keep remarks to three minutes. Senator Comerford introduced the prison moratorium bill, saying it would pause new construction while allowing renovations, and Senator Friedman introduced the Tourette awareness bill and a separate Tuskegee Airmen commemoration measure, asking for favorable action on both honorary designations.
A large portion of the hearing featured remote testimony from incarcerated people at MCI Framingham and MCI Shirley in support of the prison moratorium. Witnesses repeatedly argued that Massachusetts does not need a new women’s prison, that the incarcerated population is declining, and that funds would be better spent on mental health care, addiction treatment, vocational training, pre-release programming, housing, and repairs to existing facilities. Several speakers described poor conditions, limited programming, and the need to address trauma, domestic violence, and substance use as root causes of incarceration. One committee member responded to testimony by noting that incarceration numbers are going down, that the state is working on housing and workforce opportunities for people returning home, and that the committee wants to expand pathways to employment and reentry.
The Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day bill drew testimony from the bill’s young sponsor, Owen Rosenthal, his parents, medical professionals, and advocates. They described Tourette syndrome as a misunderstood neurodevelopmental condition, said awareness would reduce stigma and improve diagnosis and support, and cited the need for education in schools, workplaces, and the medical community. The Tourette Association of America supported the bill, noting underdiagnosis, co-occurring conditions, pain, and mental health risks associated with Tourette syndrome. Committee members praised the youth advocates and asked that written testimony be submitted electronically. The hearing ended without any recorded votes or final committee action in the transcript provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- Identified incidents are declining, although there's no clear indication of the cause.
- school with no record of their past traumas, their academic needs, or even what classes they were enrolled
- The latest LGBTQ Youth Commission report indicates the OCA has declined their recommendation to investigate
- They kind of decline to comment because this is a legislative matter that we're kind of pushing, which
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on a series of child welfare bills focused on DCF, foster care, mandated reporting, educational records, and family support. Chair Kennedy and Chair Livingstone opened with accessibility and testimony rules, then heard testimony on bills including S.127 on expanding mandated reporters, S.107/H.235 on a Foster Children’s Bill of Rights, S.106/H.228 on transferring foster care review from DCF to the Office of the Child Advocate, H.258/S.125 on an electronic backpack for foster children’s educational records, H.205 on kinship foster care background checks, H.246/H.266 on minimizing trauma in care and protection cases, and S.159 on support for families after sudden unexpected infant death.
Supporters of the mandated reporter bill, led by Sen. Feeney and Foxborough advocates, described a local model that trains all adults who work with children and argued the state should scale that approach statewide to improve recognition and reporting of abuse. Testimony on the foster care bills emphasized the need for clearer rights, better notice to children and attorneys, stronger remedies, and independent oversight. Advocates, youth with lived experience, and legal organizations described placement instability, delayed notifications, abuse in care, poor educational continuity, and the need for rights around safety, family contact, culture, language, and access to records. Several witnesses urged that the Foster Children’s Bill of Rights include enforceable court remedies, not just reporting requirements.
On the oversight bill, supporters argued DCF should not review its own foster care system and pointed to poor outcomes, high placement instability, and recent investigative reporting as evidence for moving review responsibilities to the Office of the Child Advocate. On the electronic backpack bill, testimony focused on the need for real-time data sharing and a centralized system so schools can receive foster students’ records quickly and support continuity. On the trauma-minimization bill, Rep. Miskin framed the proposal as a set of practical changes to reduce harm during removals and court involvement. On the SUID bill, Sen. Lovely said families should be given information about available grief and support resources after an infant death. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee May 13th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- And just last month decided to enroll in my alma mater, Indiana University, and he's focused on public
- If we do nothing, we face rising energy bills, declining grid reliability, and a shrinking safety net
- But as we make additional investments, we face declining returns.
- But as we make additional investments, we face declining returns without broader efforts beyond the utility
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and possible reforms to California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the high and growing wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh tradeoffs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The chair emphasized that the SB 254 report is an inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations, and that the Legislature’s role is to evaluate the options publicly.
The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described severe ongoing displacement, housing insecurity, delayed compensation, and frustration with what they characterized as opaque and unfair compensation structures. They argued for greater transparency, clearer accountability for utilities, stronger oversight of wildfire mitigation spending, and incentives tied to safety performance. They also urged faster survivor payments, but only if they are full, fair, and not financed by shifting more costs to taxpayers or ratepayers. Committee members asked about gaps in the SB 254 report, the meaning of “full” compensation, and how a fast-pay facility might work.
The second panel included the California Earthquake Authority, RAND, PG&E, LADWP, Consumer Attorneys of California, and the Public Advocates Office. Tom Welsh of CEA explained the report’s process and the current wildfire fund structure, including that utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims, and prudency reviews can require reimbursement to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon outlined how roughly $38 billion has been paid to survivors, insurers, and public entities since 2017, and noted substantial litigation costs and cost-shifting among stakeholders. Utility representatives supported reforms that preserve financial stability and reduce risk, while consumer and public-interest advocates opposed shifting more costs to ratepayers and stressed accountability, audits, and safety-linked recovery. No votes or formal actions were taken in the hearing.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- they can prepare the teachers that they need in their schools, whether they're losing or gaining enrollment
- There<00:41:47.599>
are <00:41:47.920>declining <00:41:48.880>birth <00:41:49.200 - >
rates There are declining birth rates There are declining birth rates particularly<00:41:50.640
Summary:
The committee welcomed three new members and elected Senator Brian Rhodes as committee secretary by acclamation. It then took up three education bills. Senate Bill 2001, a $2,000 across-the-board pay raise for teachers, teacher assistants, and certain higher education instructors, was explained as a partial step that could be increased later if more funds become available. The bill also included language to prevent school districts from offsetting state raises for teacher assistants by reducing local supplements. After no questions, the committee adopted a motion that the bill be reported.
Senate Bill 2003, which expands the program allowing retired individuals to return to teach, drew the most discussion. The bill broadens eligibility beyond retired educators, raises the retirement-pay percentage from 50% to 65%, shortens the required break in service from 90 days to 45 days in most cases, removes the critical-shortage-area limitation, and allows retirees to teach in any district. Senator Hill offered and the committee adopted an amendment to clarify that the retiree must be receiving a PERS retirement allowance. Members debated possible effects on the retirement system, but the bill was ultimately reported.
Senate Bill 2002, dealing with public school district transfers, would remove the sending district’s ability to veto a student’s transfer to another public district. Senator Hopson offered a single amendment, adopted by the committee, to allow receiving districts to charge a reasonable fee, require transfer notice by March 15 absent good cause, and preserve MHSAA’s authority over extracurricular eligibility. Members discussed transportation, equity, and athletic recruiting concerns, and the amendment was clarified to leave the fee amount to the receiving district’s board. After the amendment, the bill was reported.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection (8-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- As you can see from this graph, there's been growth with the recent small decline, which mirrors the
- As you can see from this graph, there's been growth with the recent small decline, which mirrors the
- As you can see from this graph, there's been growth with the recent small decline, which mirrors the
- Well, I think there's research that shows when a school wins a national title, their enrollment goes
Summary:
The committee heard a presentation from the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and the Kentucky Department of Tourism on the 1% Tourism Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund. Officials said Kentucky tourism is a $14.3 billion industry that welcomed more than 80 million travelers last year, supports nearly 97,000 jobs, and uses the fund solely for tourism marketing and promotion, not capital projects. They noted the fund received additional appropriations in the enacted budget and also supports several designated tourism-related initiatives.
Commissioner Mike Manet described how the fund is used for paid media, public relations, international marketing, cultural heritage promotion, website content, regional matching grants, research, trade shows, and travel expenses. He said the department spent $10.8 million on paid media in 23 markets in 2024, focused on seven tourism pillars, and used research and advertising ROI studies to guide spending. He reported 180 PR placements, 3.2 billion earned impressions, 3% growth in international visitation, and 12% growth in international spending to $257 million. He also highlighted the African-American Heritage Trail and said the regional matching funds program distributed $2 million to 87 local tourism commissions.
Members asked about the rise of AI in search results, how domestic and international visitor data are collected, how ad agencies are selected, and how regional matching funds are allocated. The commissioner said the department uses GPS-based and federal data, including National Travel and Tourism Office figures, and that ad agencies are chosen through an RFP process. Representative McDaniel raised concerns about bourbon tourism and Canadian visitation; the commissioner said Canadian travel is down significantly, bourbon-related visitation has softened, and the department is shifting more spending toward in-state and closer drive markets while emphasizing bourbon’s heritage story. Representative Fugate asked about eastern Kentucky tourism and ATV trails, and the commissioner said those trails are included in advertising, social media, and earned media efforts. No votes or formal actions were taken.