Transcript Highlights:

• I want to touch on energy because is a shared priority.
• energy management and plan and propose to do an additional $50 million of demand-side energy management
• , all towards energy reliability and affordability moving forward.
• and Clean Energy Businesses.
• We are a clean energy developer working to build an offshore wind farm.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:38.199> and Resources devel renewable energy and Resources devel renewable energy and
• , and energy efficiencies.
• includes energy this category includes improvements<00:13:50.680> to<00:13:50.839> air
• <00:13:57.360> and<00:13:57.560> energy<00:13:58.000> efficiencies energy and energy
• efficiencies energy and energy efficiencies there<00:14:00.199> are<00:14:01.120> um<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• clean energy economy, and create thousands of good-paying union jobs.
• clean energy economy, and create thousands of good-paying union jobs.
• energy storage facilities. energy storage facilities.
• jobs, and invest in a clean energy jobs, and invest in a clean energy future.<09:04:46.638> Thank
• <09:25:42.480> for through the Department of Energy for through the Department of Energy for

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Energy Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund.
• Um so Wyoming's energy that for you.
• the plan for moving forward in energy the plan for moving forward in energy dominance. dominance
• is doing when it comes to energy is doing when it comes to energy dominance.<02:24:46.000> So
• The vast majority are energy state? The vast majority are energy companies. companies. companies.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Island Energy Services, Albert G. Jr. Island Energy Services, Albert G. Jr.
• <00:53:24.079> Aloha Energy Justice Network. Mike Wall. Aloha Energy Justice Network.
• I'm the executive director of Energy I'm the executive director of Energy Justice<00:53:31.280><
• :26.720> Kenny >> Mahalo Kane energy Ryan Kenny >> Mahalo Kane energy Ryan Kenny in
• infrastructure and renewable energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects<01:05:47.440>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation heard several bills, beginning with SB 2010, which would authorize impoundment of motor vehicles for certain alleged or committed traffic violations. The Department of Transportation supported the bill, while the Department of the Attorney General asked for clarification in section 4 on who could seek remedies and what remedies would be available. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, citing unclear officer-initiated impound criteria, potential strain on judicial or administrative resources, and concerns about hardship for families and indigent owners; the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill with amendments, saying it should be limited to traffic offenses and could serve as an alternative to fines or imprisonment. The chair then recessed before moving to the next items. The committee next heard SB 2527 on commercial driver licensing, which would require state and county firefighters exempt from CDL requirements to be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy equivalent to or stronger than federal DOT standards. DOT, the Department of Human Resources Development, county officials, and the Hawaiʻi Firefighters Association all indicated support. SB 2697, which would prohibit driving on roadway shoulders except in limited circumstances, also drew DOT support, with the Attorney General, judiciary, and others submitting comments. SB 2812, requiring driver license applicants to be tested on the dangers larger vehicles pose to pedestrians and bicyclists, was supported by DOT but opposed by the Public Defender, who argued the excessive-speeding portion was too broad for first offenses and that the DUI-related language was unnecessary because DUI relicensing already requires re-examination. SB 291, clarifying that drivers whose licenses were revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses must undergo re-examination before relicensing, received DOT support. The committee then took up SB 3044, which would remove references to pedestrian countdown timers and the requirement that pedestrians begin crossing before the timer starts. DOT opposed the bill, but Hawaiʻi Appleseed supported it, arguing the current rule is confusing and can lead to citations even when pedestrians can safely cross. The Department of Health submitted late comments emphasizing the importance of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and physical activity, and the chair noted the split in testimony. Finally, SB 2995 proposed a zero-emissions rideshare rebate program funded by a rideshare fee and administered by DOT. Earthjustice strongly supported the bill, describing it as a fee-and-rebate structure to help rideshare drivers transition to zero-emissions vehicles. A witness for Tom Yamachika suggested that if the state wants to tax ridesharing, it should amend existing tax law instead of creating a new chapter, but the bill’s supporters said DOT was better suited to administer the rebate program and that similar models exist in California and Washington. The committee also heard SB 3153, which would authorize DOT to designate airport special district zones at airports statewide to improve security and enforcement; DOT’s airports deputy director supported the measure, saying it would clarify jurisdiction and help address trespassing and hazards, and senators asked about boundaries, mapping, and coordination with the Attorney General. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• hunger and reduce poverty, pioneer technologies that reduce pollution and transition us to clean energy
• It extends energy infrastructure reinvestment financing for another two years until 2028.
• going to lose in direct grants when it comes to energy and transportation?
• Do you have it broken down for transportation and energy?
• We have it by program, so you can figure out which ones are transportation versus energy.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held its fifth hearing of the year to examine the newly enacted federal H.R. 1 and its effects on California. Members and the chair described the law as a major threat to state health, food, education, and climate programs, and emphasized that California would not be able to fully backfill the federal cuts. Several members also highlighted the bill’s tax provisions, including temporary deductions for tips, overtime, seniors, and auto loan interest, while warning that the largest benefits flow to higher-income taxpayers and that major cuts to Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and clean-energy incentives are delayed or phased in over time. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the Department of Finance presented detailed overviews of the bill’s likely impacts and implementation timelines. They identified the main affected areas as health care coverage and financing, food assistance, higher education, personal income taxes, and clean-energy/electric-vehicle credits. They explained that H.R. 1 limits provider taxes used to finance Medi-Cal, adds work and redetermination requirements, restricts CalFresh eligibility and increases state costs, changes student loan and Pell Grant rules, extends and modifies federal tax provisions, and phases out many clean-energy credits. Finance also noted major rescissions of Inflation Reduction Act funds, new border and immigration enforcement spending, and the possibility of PAYGO sequestration if Congress does not act to offset the deficit increase. During member questions, the committee focused on likely enrollment losses, administrative burdens, and fiscal exposure for the state and counties. Witnesses said many details still depend on federal guidance, but they estimated significant impacts on Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and graduate/professional student borrowing, and noted that California’s high CalFresh error rate could increase state costs. UC testified that the elimination of Graduate PLUS loans would affect thousands of professional students, especially in health, law, and other high-cost programs. Members asked for follow-up data on county, health, and tax impacts, and staff agreed to provide additional tables and estimates as implementation guidance becomes clearer. Public commenters from counties, early childhood advocates, health coalitions, disability rights groups, immigrant-rights organizations, and other stakeholders urged the Legislature to mitigate the law’s effects. They warned of higher county costs, reduced access to health care and food assistance, increased administrative burdens, and harm to children, immigrants, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Several urged new state revenue solutions and stronger protections for Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child care, and home- and community-based services. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with a commitment to continue monitoring federal guidance and to work on state responses in the budget process.

Transcript Highlights:

• First on our agenda today is House Bill 1295 HD2, relating to clean energy.
• I support the clean energy bill.
• With the clean energy, you know, we got zero-point energy, we got magnetic energy, we got different ways
• So the recommendation is to pass as is. 1295 relating to clean energy um the 1295 relating to clean energy
• available for our clean energy available for our clean energy aspirations aspirations aspirations

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1295 HD2, relating to clean energy, and then on Senate Concurrent Resolution 140 and Senate Resolution 158, which seek an Article V Convention of States application. HB 1295 drew brief supportive testimony from listed supporters and one witness who said the bill would help future generations and address pollution, runoff, watershed planning, and cleaner energy alternatives. No committee action or vote was taken on the clean energy bill during the portion provided. Most of the hearing focused on SCR 140 and SR 158. Supporters argued the resolutions would let states, including Hawaii, propose constitutional amendments to address federal overreach, fiscal responsibility, deficit spending, term limits, and the balance of power between Washington and the states. Several supporters said state legislators are closer to the people and that Article V gives states a legitimate role in proposing amendments; some also cited debt, executive orders, and the need for long-term reforms. One witness from Convention of States Action said the movement is active nationwide and that the convention process would still require ratification by 38 states. Opponents, including representatives of Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Common Cause, Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii, and individual testifiers, warned there are no real guardrails on a convention and that it could open the door to broader constitutional changes. They said the effort is unnecessary, risky, and potentially harmful to environmental protections, social safety net programs, and civil rights, and argued that federal action is sometimes needed during recessions and emergencies. Committee members asked questions about whether the proposal was merely procedural and whether the states should act without Congress; the discussion ended with continued questioning, and no vote or final committee action is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I know that the most recent New Hampshire energy report states that the high cost of energy in New
• <04:54:52.800> and committee report of the Energy and committee report of the Energy and Environmental
• investors to invest in our future energy investors to invest in our future energy needs, needs,
• an act relative to the renewable energy an act relative to the renewable energy fund,<05:24:42.960
• which is to allow the renewable energy which is to allow the renewable energy funds<05:26:51.360

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my comments will probably fit, um, would probably come under number 6 at the top of page 2 under energy
• Um, because I think, um, that has been mentioned in Energy Committee and other committees I've, I've,
• Uh, with Um Grant's energy.
• So, one of the things that I've, I've done is I've um hosted with others an energy policy symposium,
• Um, our energy and diversification, it takes everybody at the table.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commission and the Office of Energy.
• in a particular community, and deal with that extra energy being used.
• This is for the California Energy Commission (CEC).
• My name is Mike Mielke with Peninsula Clean Energy, or PCE.
• I am Andrew Antwi on behalf of Advanced Energy United.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• we've made as a state in protecting our environment and ensuring clean air, reliable and affordable energy
• And then I look at the utility lines for other energy, power.
• California Energy Commission. You are correct. The trailer bill language. You've got a good voice.
• Dina Carrillo with the California Energy Commission. CalSHAPE is under my portfolio.
• clean energy programs: the demand-side grid support and distributed energy electricity backup assets

Summary: The hearing opened with budget framing from the chair and the LAO, who said the May Revision addresses roughly a $14 billion budget problem and that the environment and transportation subcommittee’s proposals account for about $1.9 billion of the solution. The LAO urged members to focus on solutions that do not worsen out-year deficits, to preserve reserves, and to defer major policy changes that are not necessary to pass the budget, including the newly introduced water-related trailer bills. Members also raised concern about a late-dropped Olympic-related trailer bill, which the LAO likewise suggested should be deferred for fuller review. The first major item was the Delta Conveyance Project and related water quality control plan trailer bills. The administration argued the proposals would streamline permitting, water rights proceedings, judicial review, and land acquisition, and would clarify DWR’s bond authority for the project. DWR said the project is needed to protect water supply reliability against drought, earthquakes, sea level rise, and other climate-related disruptions, and that the tunnel would help move water when conditions are wet and safer for the environment. Committee members from both parties questioned the timing, the use of budget trailer bills for major policy changes, the scope of the CEQA and water-rights changes, the lack of a bond cap, cost growth, and eminent domain protections. The LAO recommended deferring both water trailer bills without prejudice. Public comment was sharply divided, with labor, water agencies, and some business groups supporting the project as climate adaptation and reliability infrastructure, while environmental, tribal, fishing, county, and community groups opposed it as an attempt to bypass public process and weaken protections. The committee then briefly heard the DMV’s Digital Experience Platform fee trailer bill, which would reinstate a $1 system improvement fee to help fund the vehicle-registration phase of the project. DMV said the fee would raise about $7 million annually and offset roughly $59 million to $60 million of project costs, while the LAO noted it would help but would not solve the Motor Vehicle Account’s broader structural gap. The hearing then moved to California High-Speed Rail, where the new CEO presented an updated plan and said the project remains a major climate and infrastructure investment. He reported a revised Merced-to-Bakersfield cost range of $34.9 billion to $38.5 billion, said the agency is trying to reduce risk through direct procurement of materials, and argued that stable annual funding is needed to avoid higher costs from delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 123, Wyoming Energy Dominance Fund. Do we have anyone here to present this bill?
• I don't see any prohibitions on any types of energy. I thought it was going to prohibit— What?
• There is that prohibition on wind or solar energy projects. Go ahead, Representative Pendergraft.
• I don't see any prohibitions on any types of energy. I thought it was going to prohibit— What?
• I thought it was on any types of energy.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the House of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources. We'll do housekeeping first.
• You know, I will spend most of my time in House Energy, but I may need to leave on occasion.
• I'm a retired Navy commander and an energy and environmental engineer.
• My name is Randy Sadwick, President of Positive Energy and Industry Board Member. Mr.
• I'm going to have the same kind of questions I had on a prior bill with energy.

Transcript Highlights:

• energy with companies like Google, Amazon, many of them.
• 18:42.880> the<00:18:43.200> Kentucky<00:18:43.760> nuclear<00:18:44.400> energy
• uh the Kentucky nuclear energy uh the Kentucky nuclear energy authority,<00:18:45.280> the
• and also uh uh companies from X energy and also uh Chyros<00:18:53.520> that<00:18:53.760>
• with companies like in nuclear energy with companies like Google,<00:18:59.120> Amazon<00:19:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 92 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and received Senate messages announcing passage of Senate Bills 104 and 152 and Senate Joint Resolution 74. The chamber then moved through second reading of several bills, including measures on pension spiking, real property, organ donation safety, probationary retirement benefits, elections, and retired emergency personnel. Later, the Committee on Committees and Rules reported new referrals and posted bills for Monday’s regular orders, and the House also introduced several floor amendments. Two bills were taken up and passed. House Bill 527, relating to insurance regulatory requirements, was amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The substitute removed language repealing the workers’ compensation deductible range, revised the strengthened Kentucky Homes program to provide one-time grants of up to $15,000 to approved contractors for certification costs, and added an emergency clause for that grant provision. Supporters described the bill as a broad technical modernization of insurance law, including updates to licensing and responsibility requirements; it passed 92-0. House Bill 111, relating to on-farm animal health, was also amended by House Committee Substitute 1 after the sponsor said the bill had been negotiated with agriculture and animal-industry groups. The substitute clarified that farmers may seek guidance from professionals, exempted equine operations, and preserved state and federal authority in disease or abuse cases; the bill passed 94-0. During motions, petitions, communications, and announcements, members recognized Black History Month with a tribute to Georgia Davis Powers, highlighting her civil rights leadership and legislative achievements. The House also heard announcements about an upcoming Kentucky Nuclear Energy Authority/NITA board meeting and a Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board meeting. House Bill 495 was withdrawn by its sponsor, and House Bill 1 was briefly read and returned to committee as part of procedural handling. The House adjourned until 4:00 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Environmental Conservation Law in relation to agreements related to renewable energy
• There's already transmission for other kinds of energy across state forest, the reforestation lands,
• but this would just add renewable energy to that.
• reforestation lands. but other kinds of energy across state forest, the reforestation lands, but this
• would just add renewable energy to that.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Environmental Conservation Committee, chaired by Senator Pete Harckham, met with a quorum and took up a 19-bill agenda, largely consisting of repassed environmental measures. Bills discussed included standards for ambient lead in soil, restrictions on false recyclability claims and plastic labeling, environmental restoration projects, commercial fishing and marine licenses, bans on unencapsulated foam flotation on docks and floating structures, indirect source review for warehouse operations, nuisance wildlife operator disclosure requirements, waterfront revitalization for Doodle Town Brook, a ban on fuel oil grade No. 4, renewable energy development rights on reforestation areas, fee exemptions for veterans and active-duty service members, a ban on mercury-added lamps, designation of water development representatives, bans on cleaning products containing triclosan or triclocarban, a composting symbol, bans on paper receipts for certain purchases, climate corporate data accountability, PFAS product restrictions, and prohibitions on tampering with emissions control devices. Members raised several policy concerns during the meeting. Senator Palumbo questioned the PFAS bill’s inclusion of cookware and suggested an incremental approach, while the sponsor defended keeping cookware in the bill because heating PFAS can increase exposure through food and inhalation. On the renewable energy/reforestation bill, Senator Stec noted implementation concerns about allowing solar development in reforestation areas, and Senator May responded that the bill is intended mainly to facilitate transmission lines across state forest lands. There were also questions about the climate corporate data accountability bill’s scope, including revenue thresholds, overlap with existing DEC greenhouse gas regulations, and the source of fee revenue, with staff explaining it would apply to large companies doing business in New York and use registration fees to cover program costs. Most bills were advanced either to the calendar or to finance. Bills including the lead standards, marine license changes, foam flotation ban, mercury lamp ban, water development representatives, composting symbol, and emissions tampering restrictions were advanced to the calendar. Several measures, including the recyclability labeling bill, environmental restoration projects, warehouse indirect source review, veterans’ fee exemption, and climate corporate data accountability bill, were referred to finance. The paper receipt bill was advanced to commerce, and the committee concluded after voting to move the final bills, including the PFAS restrictions and emissions tampering measure, with technical date fixes noted for the climate accountability and PFAS bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fresh Energy is a more than 30-year clean energy advocacy nonprofit based in St.
• , a lot of people are concerned about the energy use.
• <01:16:10.320> So are concerned about the energy use.
• So are concerned about the energy use.
• energy outside of transportation energy energy outside of transportation energy um<01:17:11.040>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , right, let's go to uh education, energy, right, let's go to uh education, energy, and<00:31:11.919
• , and the Environment Committee, Energy, and the Environment Committee, land<00:32:18.640> use,
• Senate Bill 11, Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee — Public Financing Act, Fair
• > efficiency<00:58:49.680> for and renewable energy efficiency for and renewable energy
• Thank you. >> One o'clock for finance. >> Education, Energy, and the Environment. >> Okay.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• and less food benefits, less energy and less food benefits, less energy assistance,<00:59:26.319
• You know, the lowest form cost of energy is renewable energy.
• the energy realm driving up our energy the energy realm driving up our energy prices.<01:16:08.239
• <01:16:11.760> We're of energy is renewable energy. We're of energy is renewable energy.
• Renewable energy is going to drive up energy costs.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pioneered technologies that reduce pollution and transition us to clean energy.
• December 31st of this year, there will be... be the complete elimination of the solar and the energy
• Lastly, for clean energy and electric vehicle credits, as has already been mentioned by the committee
• Medicaid, agriculture, which includes SNAP, Inflation Reduction Act, repeals and rescissions, energy
• Do you have it broken down for transportation and energy?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Focused on climate collaboration, clean energy, transportation, and trade ties.
• companies operating in California account for over 213,000 jobs in agriculture, in tech, in clean energy
• . back in combating climate change and transitioning to clean energy.
• Assembly Member Cottie Petrie-Norris, who is the chair of the Utilities and Energy Committee.
• goals of clean energy and renewable energy.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Asia, California, Trade and Investment held its first informational hearing to examine California’s economic ties with Asia, the effects of federal tariffs, and ways the state can strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and subnational diplomacy. Chair Jessica Caloza opened by emphasizing California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a major exporter to Asia, and several members and guests highlighted the importance of AAPI communities, sister-city relationships, and coordinated state outreach. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis described California’s trade missions, APEC hosting, and ongoing climate and trade partnerships, while Japan’s deputy consul general underscored Japan’s role as a major investor and trading partner and encouraged continued engagement. The first panel, featuring leaders from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation/World Trade Center Los Angeles, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Visit California, focused on trade, tourism, and investment trends. Witnesses said tariffs and federal uncertainty are disrupting logistics, manufacturing, business travel, higher education, and tourism, with particular concern about port activity, international student declines, and reduced visitation from Asia. They urged California to remain “open for business,” invest in promotion and infrastructure, and use trade missions, MOUs, and sister-city ties to maintain relationships and attract investment. The second panel, with economist Kyle Handley and trade expert Glenn Fukushima, focused on the mechanics and consequences of tariffs. Both said tariffs function as taxes on importers and consumers, raise costs for businesses, and create uncertainty that delays investment, hiring, and supply-chain decisions. They warned that California is especially exposed because of its ports, cross-border trade, and reliance on global supply chains, and said new federal vessel fees and shifting trade routes could divert commerce away from California. They argued that the long-term damage includes lost growth and reduced U.S. credibility, and recommended that California “tariff-proof” its economy through faster ports, better infrastructure, export assistance, and reduced permitting barriers. In the final panel, representatives from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Association California, and the Small Business Development Center emphasized future opportunities and the needs of small businesses. They said California should deepen ties with Asia through conventions, tourism, and sector-specific partnerships in life sciences, clean tech, semiconductors, hospitality, and small business trade. The witnesses stressed that small and minority-owned businesses need more access to trade missions, capital, technical assistance, and state support, and that California’s economic strength depends on coordinated efforts across regions and industries.