Video & Transcript : 'tourism activities' :

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US
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Friday, February 7, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> proudest achievements was her activism proudest achievements was her activism on<00:09:03.519><c
  • He said we spent $6 million on tourism for Egypt.
  • </c><04:11:52.359><c> for</c> million on tourism for million on tourism for Egypt<04:11:55.040><c> wasn't
  • c> but</c><04:11:56.720><c> it</c> Egypt wasn't exactly on tourism but it Egypt wasn't exactly on tourism
  • </c><04:12:56.479><c> well</c> leftwing journalism and activism well leftwing journalism and activism
Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1012, house, all
NM
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Sep 25th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Now, there are over 170 businesses, with 51 in New Mexico still active.
  • Let's switch to the other gaming activities. This is the one I saved for last.
  • The revenue sharing and the tourism industry of gaming helps.
  • I'm sure tourism is a very big deal there in Rio Doce.
  • It is not a criminal activity if somebody puts themselves...
Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 7th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism.
  • Studies show that extracurricular activities...
  • Studies show that extracurricular activities, in fact, provide protective factors against the primary
  • Extracurricular activities, as we've heard, when they're available and accessible, provide important
  • You know, I didn't have access to extracurricular activities because my parents couldn't afford it.
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on youth health, sports, and entertainment access. AB 1626 would require mental health training for youth sports coaches and create a model training for recreational and club coaches; supporters said coaches are often the first adults to notice mental health struggles, and the bill passed 6-0 to the Assembly Education Committee. AB 1884, as amended, would allow school districts that already use athletic drug-testing programs to add nicotine testing, with safeguards limiting disclosure and removing earlier punitive provisions; supporters framed it as a response to youth vaping, while opponents warned it could stigmatize students, discourage participation in extracurriculars, and burden schools. The bill passed 3-2 to the Assembly Education Committee, with some members still expressing reservations but supporting it after amendments. AB 2503 addressed heat guidelines for desert school athletics, seeking flexibility in wet-bulb temperature rules so practices and games would not be pushed so heavily into evening hours. The author and a desert athletic trainer argued current standards do not reflect local acclimatization and create scheduling burdens; the bill passed 5-0 to the Assembly Education Committee. AB 1954, the PAR Act, would require third-party golf reservation platforms to have written authorization from municipal golf course operators before listing or reselling tee times, aimed at stopping inflated resale of public golf reservations. Supporters from city and golf organizations said the bill would protect affordable access to public courses; it passed 5-0 to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. The committee also heard AB 2319, which would create a standalone California post-production tax credit to keep editorial, sound, visual effects, and finishing work in-state even when principal photography occurs elsewhere. Labor and industry witnesses said California is losing post-production jobs to other jurisdictions and urged the bill be amended to include stronger labor standards; the bill passed to the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. Finally, AB 1720, the California Fans First Act, would cap resale prices for concert and live entertainment tickets at no more than 10% above face value, excluding sporting events and certain season-ticket arrangements. The author argued the bill would curb scalping and make live events more affordable for fans.
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

House Standing Committee BR Sub. on General Government (2-13-25)

Transcript Highlights:
  • bullion</c><00:25:44.279><c> uh</c><00:25:44.480><c> we</c><00:25:44.559><c> are</c><00:25:44.799><c> actively
  • </c> for that bullion uh we are actively for that bullion uh we are actively trying<00:25:45.480><c>
  • before we go, I do want to thank my mayor from home, Rita Dodson, and my friend Elena Blevens from our tourism
  • <00:38:03.319><c> blevens</c><00:38:03.880><c> from</c><00:38:04.560><c> our</c><00:38:04.800><c> tourism
  • </c> My friend Elena Blevens from our tourism department in our county.
Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:19 Auditor of Public Accounts 00:01:07 Office of Secretary of State 00:10:22 Kentucky State Treasury 00:17:51 Office of Attorney General 00:28:50, 958, all
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government met for its first meeting and heard budget-related presentations from the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Secretary of State, with the Treasurer beginning a presentation at the end of the transcript. Auditor Allison Ball reviewed her office’s 2024 and early 2025 work, including hundreds of county and state audits, several special examinations, and ongoing reviews such as the kinship care funding issue, the Kentucky Department of Education audit, and the Jefferson County Public Schools audit. She said her office is focused on waste, fraud, abuse, and legal compliance, and asked the committee to consider future budget changes, including aligning her appropriation with restricted funding and restoring a stronger performance-audit function. She also highlighted audits that exposed serious problems, including the Department of Juvenile Justice review, and said those reports are intended to serve as models for other entities to avoid similar failures. Secretary of State Michael Adams said his office is self-sustaining through fees and does not need tax dollars, but asked for greater access to its own revenues and more flexibility in using them. He highlighted the Safe at Home address confidentiality program, saying recent changes expanded protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, and that the program has grown rapidly while remaining funded by offender fines. Adams also urged lawmakers to again adjust county election funding for inflation, noting the current per-voter and per-precinct amounts were set decades ago. In questioning, Representative Hart asked whether the Safe at Home program was self-funding; Adams replied that it covers only about 10% of its operating cost and said the best solution would be to let the office use more of the revenue it already collects rather than rely on tax dollars. Treasurer Martin Medcafe, introduced with staff member Russell Weber, praised the General Assembly’s fiscal discipline and described the Treasury’s work in managing state funds. He reported strong results from the Unclaimed Property Fund, saying the office returned $35.5 million to Kentuckians in its first year and $3.8 million in the first month of the current year, and said the State Investments Commission generated $682 million in returns last year. He also highlighted financial literacy efforts through the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and said the Treasury is helping manage opioid settlement funds, which are now earning up to $200,000 per month through investment. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
LA
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House Committee on Transportation and Senate Committee on Transportation Mar 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • fastest-growing sport in the country, and we wanted to try to get ahead of that and provide quality-of-life activities
  • youth pickleball development program, and we’re using a similar concept of going pop-up clinics and activities
  • Sports tourism is a $54 billion industry, and if you're not getting part of it, somebody else is.
Keywords: 965, house, all
Summary: The joint Senate and House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works committees met on March 3, 2026, to consider several construction manager at risk (CMAR/Seymour) requests before hearing a DOTD presentation. The first item, Caddo Parish’s proposed $9.6 million pickleball park in Southeast Shreveport, drew the most debate. Members questioned whether a pickleball complex was sufficiently complex or time-sensitive to justify CMAR, whether the location was accessible to residents without cars, and whether the process could disadvantage public bidding and minority contractors. The House initially voted to deny the request, but later reconsidered and approved it after discussion about the statute and the committee’s past practice. The committee also heard a brief procedural discussion about whether the statutory factors for CMAR are exhaustive and whether future reforms may be considered in the next session. The committee then approved several other CMAR projects with little or no opposition. Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office received approval for an indoor shooting range, with testimony emphasizing specialized ventilation, lead control, bullet protection, and other technical requirements. Calcasieu Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2 received approval for a pump station rehab/replacement project serving a large portion of Lake Charles and critical public facilities, with members citing the need to maintain drainage operations during weather events. St. Tammany Parish Hospital District No. 2’s Slidell Memorial Hospital emergency department expansion was approved based on the complexity of adding beds and renovating an operating ED, and St. Charles Parish Hospital’s entry registration/PACU renovation was also approved, with members noting the hospital exception to the CMAR threshold. The Port of Vinton dock project in Calcasieu Parish was approved as well, with testimony stressing a tight delivery schedule tied to an LED project and the need to keep port operations running during construction. After the Caddo Parish item was reconsidered, the committee recessed briefly and then adjourned the CMAR portion of the meeting to move on to the DOTD presentation.
FL
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Apr 10th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The appropriation Committee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development will now come to order
  • point in the future when the public works, project is done, is going to create even more economic activity
  • transparency in representation on behalf of countries of concern to second the funding of political activity
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 01/21/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • fielded by Hospitality Minnesota, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism
  • fielded by Hospitality Minnesota, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism
  • fielded by Hospitality Minnesota, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism
  • fielded by Hospitality Minnesota, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism
  • fielded by Hospitality Minnesota, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism
Committee: Senate Taxes
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Governmental Oversight and Accountability Feb 11th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • THE INVESTMENT ACTIVITY IS REGULATED BY SECTION 2 15.474 TO STATUTE AND THIS IS THE PROVISION OF LAW
  • REFUSING TO DEAL, TERMINATING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES, TAKING ACTIONS TO LIMIT RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL OR
  • WE ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN COMPANIES WITH ACTIVITIES IN THE SEDAN LIST AND SCRUTINIZE COMPANIES ACTIVITIES
  • IN IRAN TOURISM SECTORS LIST.
  • OUR TEACHERS ACTIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVED COFFEE MUGS?
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Autonomous vehicles regulated 3/4/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> Kaggel's</c> Kaik Kosnik and Representative Kaggel's Kaik Kosnik and Representative Kaggel's active
  • participation</c><00:10:08.080><c> as</c><00:10:08.480><c> exeicio</c><00:10:09.360><c> members</c> active
  • participation as exeicio members active participation as exeicio members of<00:10:10.000><c> the</c>
  • Additionally, it's attractive for people who want to come here for conventions and tourism and things
  • </c><00:36:28.320><c> uh</c><00:36:28.400><c> it</c> and tourism and things like that. uh it and tourism
Keywords: 1183, house
FL
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Apr 10th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development will now come to order
  • point in the future when the public works project is done, are going to create even more economic activity
  • point in the future, when the public works project is done, it's going to create even more economic activity
  • Second, the funding of political activity by foreign governments that are operated countries of concern
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development considered a full agenda of transportation, economic development, housing, emergency services, and specialty license plate bills. Several measures were explained and advanced without opposition, including the Department of Transportation agency bill (CS/CS/SB 1662), a Purple Heart toll exemption bill (CS/SB 574), a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate bill (CS/SB 824), a construction disruption assistance loan program for small businesses (CS/CS/SB 324), a manufactured housing assistance bill for local housing plans (CS/SB 1714), a foreign agents registration bill (CS/CS/SB 766), military academy specialty plates (CS/SB 1024), a Safe Coastal Wildlife specialty plate (CS/SB 1246), an emergency services warning-light bill (CS/SB 1644), the Florida Wildflower specialty plate (SB 1152), and a toll exemption bill for 100% disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients (CS/SB 532). The committee adopted amendments on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1662, Senator Collins’ strike-all amendment made a range of DOT-related changes, including the Florida Transportation Academy, seaport and airport accountability provisions, and allowing cranes to move under special blanket permits at night. On CS/CS/SB 324, the committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and a further amendment removing liability language; the bill would create a revolving loan program for small businesses harmed by public works construction, with members raising concerns about eligibility, verification of losses, and public records issues for financial documents. On CS/SB 766, an amendment clarified definitions and aligned the bill with federal FARA standards, including a 20% beneficial ownership threshold. On CS/SB 532, an amendment added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Testimony and debate were generally supportive, with several outside witnesses appearing in favor of the bills, including Florida PBA, the Florida Manufactured Homeowners Federation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, the Center for Security Policy, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Members highlighted constituent impacts and policy concerns on a few measures, especially the construction disruption loan bill and the disabled veteran toll exemption, where some senators suggested narrowing the scope or adding protections. All bills considered were reported favorably, and senators later requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected tabs before the committee adjourned.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development will now come to order
  • point in the future when the public works project is done, are going to create even more economic activity
  • point in the future, when the public works project is done, it is going to create even more economic activity
  • Second, the funding of political activity by foreign governments that are operated countries of concern
Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.
AZ
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/01/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and Awareness Month, whereas motorcycles are an important part of Arizona's transportation system, tourism
  • Motorcyclists are part of Arizona's community, workforce, veteran population, tourism, economy, and charitable
  • So I wanted to do a proclamation on behalf of this oldest road here that brings tourism, brings many
  • whereas Route 66 contributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Arizona's economy through tourism
Keywords: 1182, all
KY
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 11 (1-21-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tourism and outdoor recreation will meet tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. in room 169.
  • &gt;&gt; Tourism<00:20:47.919><c> and</c><00:20:48.159><c> outdoor</c><00:20:48.559><c> recreation</c
  • ><00:20:49.360><c> will</c><00:20:49.679><c> meet</c> &gt;&gt; Tourism and outdoor recreation will meet
  • &gt;&gt; Tourism and outdoor recreation will meet tomorrow<00:20:50.400><c> morning</c><00:20:50.720
Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:10 Calendar/2nd Readings 07:06 Report of Committees 07:47 Orders of the Day 08:52 HB 176 09:09 HB 178 12:19 HB 280 15:34 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 19:55 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 32:05 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 32:05 ConC and Rules Report 39:04 Adjournment 40:48, 958, all
KY
KY

Kentucky 2025 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-14-25) - Upon Recess

Transcript Highlights:
  • Sections 11 through 14 are the same regarding the Tourism Development Act and some lodging facility projects
  • 00:15:11.639><c> same</c><00:15:12.000><c> regarding</c><00:15:12.320><c> the</c><00:15:12.440><c> tourism
  • </c> the same regarding the tourism the same regarding the tourism development<00:15:13.360><c> act</
Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:02 HJR 53 Discussion 00:00:35 HJR 53 Vote 00:03:52 HB 622 Discussion 00:06:52 HB 622 Vote 00:12:55 HB 775 Discussion 00:13:50 HB 775 Vote 00:22:15, 958, all
Summary: The committee first reconsidered House Joint Resolution 53, which concerns releasing previously appropriated funds for Kentucky State University. Kentucky State University President Kofi Aapo testified in support, describing significant enrollment growth, a balanced budget, and a $5 million fund balance since his arrival, and asking for continued support. Members praised his leadership while noting the institution still has work to do. The motion to reconsider passed, and the resolution then received favorable expression by a 9-2 vote. The committee next took up House Bill 622, a compromise bill involving the Kentucky Nonprofit Network and the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Testimony explained that the bill is intended to improve prompt payment practices for grants and contracts, including partial payments on undisputed invoice items within 30 days and a process for disputed items. The bill also included several appropriation-related corrections and adjustments, including a fix to an allocation for Elizabethtown water and sewer projects, a change in an economic development recipient, revisions to school resource officer language, and additional contingency authority for the Capitol renovation. The committee adopted a title amendment and passed the bill with favorable expression by a 10-1 vote. House Bill 775 was then discussed as a broad tax and economic development measure. The bill covers TIF districts, electronic filing for craft brewers, pipeline property tax treatment, bourbon barrel tax cleanup, staged income tax reductions, extension of the Metropolitan College incentive, tourism and lodging incentives, reauthorization of an expired TIF, taxation and licensing of cannabis-infused beverages, alternative fuels and jet fuel tax credit review, entertainment event incentives, the selling farmer tax credit, IRC conformity, data center incentives, the first audit of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, and limits on additional electronic charity gaming locations until regulations are adopted. Members raised questions about the beverage tax structure, TIF impacts, and the income tax reduction provisions; some expressed concern about making future tax cuts easier, while others supported the bill’s TIF and agriculture provisions. The bill passed with favorable expression by a 7-2 vote with two pass votes, and the committee then adjourned.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 4th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Bills: SB1465 , SB2110 , SB1771 , SB206 , SB1584 , SB1386 , SB1696 , SB1806 , SB1428 , SB1390 , SB1381 , SB201 , SB1778 , SB1332 , SB1836 , SB1369 , SB1794 , SB1290 , SB175 , SB1379
Keywords: professional engineers, surveyors, licensure board, sunset extension, state board, occupational licensing, engineering license, surveying license, professional regulation, regulatory board, sunset review, emergency clause, Oklahoma O.S. 59, board appointments, lay member, SB2110, eggs, ungraded eggs, graded eggs, egg sales
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, and included several member and gallery introductions, including recognition of the Doctor of the Day and family members of senators. The chamber then moved to floor business on several bills, with no major debate on most measures. Senate Bill 1465 extended the sunset date for the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors to 2031 and passed 43-2, including as an emergency measure. Senate Bill 2110, as amended, allowed the sale of ungraded eggs up to 150 dozen, with the author explaining it was requested by constituents to support rural economics and farmers markets. Senators asked about the need for the bill, the cap, and food safety; the author said the limit was a starting point and noted the eggs would be sold off-premises. The bill advanced and passed 44-2. Senate Bill 1771, which authorizes the Workforce Commission to obtain more complete information on workforce development funds and retain outside counsel, had a title-restoring amendment adopted and then passed 35-11. Senate Bill 206, making public EMS services eligible as essential for drawing down federal funds, passed 42-5 and was also declared an emergency measure. The Senate also heard acknowledgements, including congratulations to Senator Seifried on her first successful day presiding and recognition of Catoosa Day at the Capitol. Announcements followed on appropriations and Oklahoma Women’s Day at the Capitol, and the Senate adjourned until Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Mar 19th, 2025

State Affairs

HI
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDT-HRE, HRE Public Hearings 03-13-2025

Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • Aloha, and welcome to the hearing with the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on
  • Next up, James Toyoka for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
  • Tourism<00:03:26.680><c> good</c><00:03:26.879><c> afternoon</c><00:03:27.480><c> members</c><00:03:27.959
  • ><c> chair</c> Tourism good afternoon members chair Tourism good afternoon members chair Vice<00:03:28.599
  • How come we do well so we are we not all of our members are actively engaged in the actual negotiations
Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and Higher Education heard HB 1494, relating to sports facilities. Testimony was largely in opposition to the bill as drafted from the Stadium Authority, the Department of Accounting and General Services, and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, with several other written comments also opposing; each asked that if the measure advances, Senate language from related stadium bills be incorporated instead. The University of Hawaiʻi testified in support of the Nāʻid project and said it wants the project delivered at Halawa so the university can have a football facility, though members pressed the university on whether it was effectively supporting both the project and the bill’s current approach. A substantial portion of the hearing focused on the stadium project’s financing, schedule, and oversight. DAGS and Public Works discussed a consultant contract that had grown to about $28 million and an audit that recovered $441,000 after improper travel and expense reimbursements, including first-class airfare and other personal expenses; officials said the audit exposed weak internal controls and led to revised reimbursement policies. Members questioned whether the problems would have been found without media reporting and whether stronger oversight should have been in place earlier. The committee also discussed the current Ching Field setup for UH football, with witnesses describing it as less than ideal and temporary until the new stadium is built. Stadium Authority representatives said the current preferred offeror is Aloha Halawa Development Partners, negotiations have recently accelerated, and the goal remains a contract this summer and a fall 2028 opening. They said the state is committed to $350 million in general obligation bonds, with the overall project expected to cost more, and that the developer is exploring other financing sources such as TIF or CFD while the state and city work to expedite permits and demolition. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion provided.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (02/05/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • So a lot of activity there.
  • So a lot of activity there.
  • So a lot of activity there.
  • </c> division um and so a lot of activity division um and so a lot of activity there there there um<00
  • I mean, they're improving it, and so more tourism and all that kind of thing.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard an overview from the Agriculture Commissioner on the department’s major divisions and staffing. He described the Office of the Commissioner, Agricultural Development, Pesticides, Regulatory Services, Weights and Measures, Animal Industry, Plant Industry, and Soil Conservation, noting that many programs are federally funded or supported by dedicated fees and fines. He said the department has 44 full-time positions plus one DoIT employee shared with other agencies, and that HR services are now contracted through Administrative Services. He also explained that Soil Conservation is administratively attached to the department and funded through Moose Plate grants and county contributions, not direct state funding. Members asked about specific program functions and issues, including weights and measures inspections, animal health, bird flu response, internships, invasive species, and the Big E/New Hampshire building. The commissioner said weights and measures covers nearly all commercial measuring devices and products sold by weight, and that inspectors are currently part-time police officers, though the department is discussing removing that requirement. He said the department is actively involved in bird flu monitoring, including regular calls with USDA and the state veterinarian and collecting milk samples from dairy farms. On invasive species, he focused on Japanese knotweed and bittersweet, saying the department has only one staff person working on the issue, mainly as a coordinator with DOT and towns, and that eradication is extremely difficult. He also said the department does not run student internships and refers inquiries to UNH Cooperative Extension. The committee discussed budget and revenue issues, including three new general fund positions, one of which is the assistant commissioner and another a biological scientist for invasive species. The commissioner said the department had been in “triage mode,” that an assistant commissioner was needed because of workload, and that the department is a net positive to the General Fund each year. He said some fees and fines have not been updated in decades and would require legislation to change, including a proposed $5 fee for each animal database certificate to help fund a system that costs about $250,000 annually to maintain. In response to questions about budget reductions, he said the department protected personnel, reduced the cost-of-care fund, fair grants, and land preservation funding to about $25,000 each, and did not plan to buy new vehicles or computers. He also said he could not support including the $50,000 Conservation District resilience grant program in his budget under the current reduction targets, though he remained hopeful it might be funded another way.
FL
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-02-13 (12:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The impact it’s going to have on our industries, one of which is very important to my district, tourism
  • The impact is going to have on our industries, one of which is very important to my district tourism,
  • District, tourism, can't be quantified right now.
  • And some of our top economies include agriculture, tourism, and construction.
  • I believe that we need to actively seek additional federal reimbursements and additional reimbursement
Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, quorum call, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rules and Ethics Committee special order report for February 13, 2025 was adopted, setting the day’s special order calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up immigration-related special order items, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C, which urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. Members debated federal immigration policy and state cooperation with DHS, and the memorial passed 85-27. The House next considered Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses related to unlawful entry and reentry into Florida and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, including Supremacy Clause, due process, and Eighth Amendment concerns, and several speakers argued it would create separate classes of people and invite litigation. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow or expand exemptions, including protections for Venezuelans on TPS, certain Haitian TPS and humanitarian parole recipients, undocumented people brought to Florida as children working in critical professions, and a proposal to delay action pending court rulings; all of those amendments were rejected. The bill passed 85-29. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 2C, which would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establish a local law enforcement immigration grant program and advisory council, repeal the undocumented-student fee waiver, and appropriate more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as supporting cooperation with federal immigration agencies and ending the in-state tuition incentive for undocumented students. Early questioning focused on the impact on “dreamers” and whether the bill would effectively raise their tuition costs; the sponsor said it removed the incentive of in-state tuition but did not bar attendance. The transcript cuts off during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.