Video & Transcript : 'tourism activities' :
Page 92 of 500
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal without Calendar) Jun 4th, 2026
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities
- supplementing certain existing appropriations to provide for supplemental appropriations for certain other activities
- fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities
- Appropriations and for certain other activities and projects, H. 5470.
- Lucia and the Bahamas were able to sign the partnership agreement in tourism, education, and healthcare
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two resolutions: one recognizing the town of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States and another congratulating Zachary Erich on earning Eagle Scout. The chamber then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 on multiple petitions and adopting extension orders giving the Committee on Financial Services additional time to report on credit union and mortgage financing bills, with members emphasizing the extensions were limited and needed to complete ongoing work.
The Senate then took up House No. 4361, a bill relative to benefits for teachers, which was amended by Ways and Means and passed to be engrossed after extensive support from members. Senators described the measure as a long-delayed fix to the Retirement Plus program, creating a one-time window through June 30, 2027 for eligible teachers to buy in, with required back payments of missed contributions. The bill passed by a roll call of 39-0. The chamber also passed S. 3106 on toxic-free medical devices and S. 3107 on advancing the profession of commercial interior design, both after supportive floor debate.
The Senate later adopted a conference committee report on the FY26 supplemental budget, H. 5470, after debate over its major spending items. Supporters highlighted municipal winter relief, MBTA operating and capital support, education funding, housing incentives, and collective bargaining agreements, while opponents criticized MBTA subsidies, legal defense funding, and tax-related provisions. The report was approved by roll call, and the bill was passed to be enacted. The Senate also enacted several local bills, including measures for Berkeley recall elections, a Milton school construction deadline extension, a Lexington parkland exchange, and long-term municipal roads and bridges financing.
Near the end of the session, the Senate concurred in a House amendment to S. 2563, a broad bill revising laws affecting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities by replacing outdated and offensive terminology in 346 sections of the General Laws. Members described it as a dignity and language modernization measure. The Senate adopted the emergency preamble and passed the bill to be enacted. The session concluded with an adjournment order to meet again the following Monday, and the day’s adjournment was dedicated to the memory of Richard Louis Volpe of Sturbridge.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We actually see increased subdivision activity within our CCN, where developers deed property with instructions
- The relationship between environmental activism and conservation is funding. ...and management and organization
- Truthfully, we're all environmentally active. All of us want to help the environment.
- These efforts support local economies through agriculture, hunting, fishing, recreation, and tourism.
- This report requires agency programs to close out calendar year activities, which includes gathering
Bills:
HB937 , HB2078 , HB2080 , HB3322 , HB3350 , HB4212 , HB4630 , HB4896 , HB4951 , HB5348 , HB5675 , SB565 , SB971 , SB1662 , SB2124
Committee:
House Natural Resources
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA, TCA-EIG Public Hearings 04-10-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And testifying first is the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
- He's been very active internationally as well. Thank you. you.
- He's<00:07:50.479><c> been</c><00:07:50.720><c> very</c><00:07:51.039><c> active</c><00:07:51.599><c>
- internationally</c><00:07:52.479><c> as</c> He's been very active internationally as He's been very
- active internationally as well.<00:07:53.520><c> Thank</c><00:07:53.680><c> you.
Summary:
The committee heard and then voted on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 71, asking the Coalina Golf Club to work with the Department of Transportation to prevent golf balls from reaching Fington Highway, drew no opposition in testimony; a member thanked the golf club for cooperating after a constituent’s windshield was struck, and the measure was passed unamended. HCR 19 HD1, supporting Taiwan’s international participation and a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, received only DBED testimony in support and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 163, urging the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to establish an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, was supported by DBEDT and the foundation itself, which said it would welcome such a festival subject to funding and staff resources; it was passed unamended.
In the later joint session, HCR 70 on accelerating sustainable aviation fuels received support from the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, while DOT said it is already working on clean fuels through its greenhouse-gas reduction efforts and that the resolution would mainly require a more targeted progress report; the measure passed, with one no vote in the joint committee vote. HCR 123, on a restricted parking zone pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods, had no oral testimony and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 57, on a traffic mitigation and calming study in Waipahu, also had no testimony and was passed unamended. HCR 112, urging Honolulu to adopt a pedestrian-first policy, drew broad support from public health, planning, bicycling, and student witnesses, though one testifier urged coordination with existing county plans; it passed unamended. HCR 177, encouraging a summer streets pilot program, also passed unamended.
For HCR 203, urging Maui County to prioritize planning for the Kihei North-South Collector Road, the chairs proposed technical amendments to correct the responsible agency from the Planning Department to the Public Works Department, and the measure passed with those amendments. Across the meetings, the committee repeatedly noted when there were no further questions or testimony, and each resolution was adopted by the committee after the stated recommendations.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Holding Bitcoin is actively choosing the path of freedom over total control.
- Holding Bitcoin is actively choosing the path of freedom over total control.
- that is important underwriting activity that is important uh<01:55:03.199><c> to</c><01:55:03.520><c
- Our whole economy is based on tourism, so how does it impact that?
- </c><03:37:38.560><c> but</c> state where there are no tourism but state where there are no tourism but
Summary:
The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops.
Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight.
Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The agency will inspect the pits as part of its inspection. to ensure no oil and gas activities pollute
- With gaining a better understanding of the root causes of surface breakouts and seismic activities.
- Thank you. is remediation activities.
- Associated with different activities that the agency may be developing in terms of our work.
- and tourism revenue.
Committee:
Senate Finance
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 44 (3-11-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Tourism and outdoor recreation will meet tomorrow morning.
- To Tourism and Outdoor Recreation, House Bill 918.
- To tourism<01:01:27.080><c> and</c><01:01:27.160><c> outdoor</c><01:01:27.480><c> recreation,</c><01:
- 01:28.560><c> House</c> tourism and outdoor recreation, House tourism and outdoor recreation, House Bill
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, and adopted a legislative citation honoring Dave Buzz Baker for his long career with WKYT and the UK Sports Network. The Senate clerk then reported several Senate bills passed by the Senate and requested concurrence. The House approved the journal and received committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing and regulations, education, and information technology, covering topics such as agricultural procurement, pesticide labeling, vehicle financial protection products, proxy advisory services, financial exploitation, status offenses, firearms liability protections, school administrator salaries, sick leave, school safety, and data privacy.
The chamber then considered House Bill 468 on civil rights. The bill would update the Kentucky Civil Rights Act to align the definition of disability with the federal ADA, and it would remove the Kentucky Human Rights Commission’s adjudicative powers over employment and public accommodations disputes while preserving investigative functions. House Floor Amendment 1 was adopted; it removed language barring attorney’s fees, preserved local commissions’ investigative powers, authorized local commissions and private plaintiffs to file civil actions in circuit court, and extended the probable-cause determination period from 30 to 180 days. The bill, as amended, passed 72-22.
House Bill 757, the session’s revenue bill, was then debated. Its sponsor described provisions including moratoriums on certain local school district taxes, Internal Revenue Code conformity, new taxes on data brokering, fantasy contests, and predictive markets, EV charging station inspection fees, elimination of some tax expenditures, Department of Revenue cleanup provisions, and process changes for inheritance tax, property tax delinquencies, and other measures. Members raised concerns that the bill would limit local school boards’ taxing options and could affect bonding and school construction; the sponsor said TIF-related provisions would sunset future participation, not existing projects, and that the bill had been developed with agency input. House Bill 757 passed 69-18. The House also passed House Bill 727, creating the Kentucky Education Placement Service System for teacher applicants and district job postings, by a vote of 94-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 776, a modernization of the Dental Practice Act, with changes to board authority, licensure renewal, hygienist and assistant rules, and telehealth standards; the sponsor noted an ownership-related issue and presented House Floor Amendment 1 for consideration, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that amendment and the bill.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Conference Committee - HB0111, March 3, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And we all like to hate Teton County, but tourism is our number two industry.
- And we all like to hate Teton County, but tourism is our number two industry.
- And we all like to hate Teton County, but tourism is our number two industry.
- And we all like to hate Teton County, but tourism is our number two industry.
- And we all like to hate Teton County, but tourism is our number two industry.
Summary:
The committee met to consider amendments to House Bill 111. It first adopted amendment number one without objection. Members then discussed a Senate amendment related to a $750,000 state match for the Central Wyoming College Jackson project, with Senator Laursen explaining the request as a way to leverage local fundraising for the final phase of the project. He said the project had been underway since 2018, that the building was nearing completion, and that the amendment was intended to encourage a local fundraising campaign rather than wait for a later appropriation. Representative Lien questioned whether the funding had gone through the usual approval process, and other members raised concerns about bypassing standard procedures, while Laursen argued the request was consistent with prior late-stage project adjustments and reflected local skin in the game.
The discussion also covered a Senate amendment concerning University of Wyoming land use, specifically whether language should remain requiring open space or allow trustees more flexibility to decide between open space and parking. One member moved to delete the Senate amendment and reinsert the stricken language, but after discussion the motion was withdrawn so the committee could consider all amendments together. Members noted that the university had already been discussing the plan and that the language change would not necessarily alter the trustees’ authority, though it might protect the university.
The committee then turned to a Gillette College/Enzi building amendment. Senator Driscoll said the proposal was his own and not requested by the college, and Janelle Overberlander, founding president of Gillette Community College District, testified about the history of the project, including the 2021 separation from the Northern Wyoming Community College District, prior planning for a STEM building, and the later decision to revive the project as an academic building honoring Senator Enzi. She said the building is intended to address lab space needs and support industry partners, including companies expected to bring jobs to Campbell County. Driscoll explained that the amendment would provide a dollar-for-dollar match for non-state money and require Gillette College to move to a four-mill levy, which he said would eventually make the college a net contributor to the system. The committee continued discussing the amendment and its long-term fiscal effects, but no final vote on the later amendments is shown in the excerpt.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD/TOU Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 10:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- committee—actually, a joint hearing of the committees on Economic Development and Technology and the Committee on Tourism
- re joined this morning by Chair Ilagan from ECD, as well as Chair Tam and Vice Chair Templo of the Tourism
- Vice Chair, also Dennis Lang with the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, DBEDT
- Korea is a very important market to us on many levels: investment, trade, and also tourism.
- Um, for the House Committee on Tourism, um, same recommendation.
Summary:
The joint hearing covered several bills focused on economic development, tourism, business climate, and related policy areas. On HB 1943, which would support a DBEDT office in Korea, DBEDT and the Retail Merchants of Hawaii testified in support, emphasizing Korea’s importance as a market for investment, trade, and tourism and the value of helping small and midsize Hawaii businesses access Asian markets. A later witness also tied the proposal to broader free-trade and APEC-related goals. The committees heard no opposition on that measure.
The committees then heard HB 1612 and HB 1614, both supported by multiple organizations and agencies. Testimony for HB 1612 stressed Hawaii’s weak business climate and the need for policies that improve economic growth and competitiveness; the Hulamua Collaborative cited survey results showing only 19% of respondents viewed Hawaii as a good place to do business. HB 1614 also drew support, with HTC saying its focus is on economic growth. For HB 1968 and HB 1967, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the University of Hawaii, the Chamber of Commerce, and Hulamua Collaborative largely stood on written testimony in support; the hearing notes reported nine supporters and one opponent on HB 1968, and seven supporters with one comment on HB 1967.
A substantial portion of the hearing focused on HB 1589, a bill to create dementia training and recognition for businesses. Testifiers included a private citizen sharing a personal family story, the Alzheimer’s Association, and DBEDT. Supporters said the measure would help families affected by dementia, reduce stigma, and make businesses more dementia-friendly. DBEDT said the issue would be better handled by an agency with dementia expertise, while the Alzheimer’s Association said it could provide training at no cost and suggested amendments to shift implementation toward the Executive Office on Aging and to use the term “dementia business champion.”
The final major topic was HB 1608, involving a space-related project and financing. Phoenix Space testified that the bill would help launch responsive space access operations at Hilo International Airport, create local jobs, and support partnerships with Hawaii institutions, while another supporter said the project could diversify the economy. A committee member raised a timing concern, noting bond cap capacity was already allocated through 2028, and the witness said they were willing to work on a solution. The hearing also included HB 1850 on capital gains taxation, where supporters argued the bill would make the tax system fairer by increasing taxes on investment income, while the Chamber of Commerce opposed it. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- She's the active on-site coordinator.
- A lot of creative activities.
- A lot of creative activities.
- So today, Anna's days are filled with activities that her caregivers help her choose.
- So today, Anna's days are filled with activities that her caregivers help her choose.
Committee:
All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/16/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The tourism loan program, which was last funded in 2001.
- The tourism loan program, which was last funded in 2001.
- The tourism loan program, which was last funded in 2001.
- Whatever we think about the federal activity in our state, Chair Frasier, back to you.
- in our state, uh, Chair activity in our state, uh, Chair Frasier,<00:35:34.240><c> back</c><00:35:34.400
Bills:
HF3732
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators, we have developed a good government budget that provides for the transportation, tourism, and
- economic development activities of our state.
- I've been reading about activities where there's attendant charities and associations within agencies
- I've been reading about activities where there's attendant charities and associations within agencies
- Sometimes activities become a little stale.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects.
Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Seems like we're in a pretty active bunch this morning. Do we need to shake out the wiggles?
- Creating a new board to replicate these activities is impractical and in many ways questionable.
- ><c> is</c> replicate these activities is replicate these activities is impractical<00:30:31.919><c>
- There was active competition.
- Um there was active rates were low. Um there was active competition. competition. competition.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Health Care & Wellness
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Health must also conduct system oversight activities, such as establishing a statewide
- We must stay and actively manage that patient. And that's why anesthesia is billed by time.
- This fear of medical tourism is unfounded because the vast majority of Washington hospitals have not
- health condition, yet public disclosure of past enforcement actions, especially when someone is actively
- Now, I just want to be clear again, we are, again, actively working.
Committee:
House Health Care & Wellness
Keywords:
anesthesia services, healthcare access, reimbursement, patient care, equitable treatment, emergency services, healthcare outcomes, health infrastructure, system improvement, charity care, residency requirements, medical assistance, low-income, HB 2340, nursing assistants, nurse aide, substance use disorder monitoring program, monitoring program, credentialing, licensure
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Health must also conduct system oversight activities, such as establishing a statewide
- We must stay and actively manage that patient. And that's why anesthesia is billed by time.
- This fear of medical tourism is unfounded because the vast majority of Washington hospitals have not
- health condition, yet public disclosure of past enforcement actions, especially when someone is actively
- Now, I just want to be clear again, we are actively working.
Summary:
The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2232 would create a Department of Health-operated time-sensitive emergency data repository covering trauma, cardiac, and stroke events, with quality improvement reporting and support for rural facilities; it drew strong support from emergency physicians, nurses, and the Department of Health, while the Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals support the goal but lack the resources to absorb the added requirements. House Bill 1812, as a proposed substitute, would bar insurers and public plans from imposing anesthesia time limits or related reimbursement caps; the sponsor and anesthesia providers said it protects patient safety and fair payment, and the Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists asked for a clarifying amendment on physical status modifiers. House Bill 2250 would limit hospital charity care to Washington residents, while preserving emergency care access; supporters from rural hospitals and the Washington State Hospital Association said the change would help border hospitals facing rising nonresident charity care, and opponents from legal aid, patient advocacy, and LGBTQ groups warned it would create barriers, chill access for immigrants and other vulnerable patients, and conflict with Washington’s safety-net values.
The committee also heard House Bill 2340, which would extend existing substance-use monitoring program protections and stipend eligibility to nursing assistants under the Board of Nursing’s CARES program. The sponsor described it as a simple equity measure, and the Board of Nursing supported it, saying it would improve access and reduce stigma; members asked where the stipend funding comes from, and staff and the board said it is currently general-fund supported at about $25,000 annually. House Bill 2577 would change hospital inspection law by requiring acute care hospital inspections every 18 months rather than on average, allowing some accredited inspections to satisfy the requirement every 36 months, and clarifying fire-protection reinspection standards; the sponsor and Department of Health said it responds to a JLARC audit and provides needed clarity, while DOH said it is still working to catch up from inspection delays caused by the public health emergency. The meeting ended after public testimony on the bills was closed and the committee adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Its enforcement activities include routine inspections to monitor compliance with statute.
- Thanks to this operation, Homeland Security is able to track this activity and support a much larger
- So explain to me, other than arrests, are there any other enforcement activities that you do when it
- We would go in and make arrests like we do every other enforcement activity that we have.
- Two of those permits are currently active, the two parks that I mentioned.
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard presentations on protecting minors from age-restricted products from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Attorney General’s office. DBPR described its Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco division’s licensing and enforcement work on alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and hemp sales, including inspections, undercover underage-purchase operations, arrests, and coordination with the Attorney General on hemp and nicotine enforcement. Members asked about trends in youth use, retailer training, use of underage decoys in investigations, and whether additional education or penalties could help reduce sales to minors. The Attorney General’s office then outlined the new nicotine dispensing device directory created under last year’s law, explaining the criteria for listing devices attractive to minors, the notice process for manufacturers and retailers, and enforcement consequences once listed devices become contraband. Members discussed online sales, product descriptions, notice to industry, and whether more outreach to parents, schools, and local partners could help.
The committee then took up House Bill 105, which would decouple thoroughbred pari-mutuel permit holders from the requirement to conduct live racing in order to operate card rooms/slot gaming. The bill sponsor said the measure would align thoroughbred permits with other live-event permits and argued the industry is already declining and heavily subsidized, so the Legislature should not force a private business to keep an unprofitable line of business. An amendment by Rep. Yeager was adopted to remove live-racing requirements for thoroughbred permit holders who are card room licensees, broadening the bill’s effect to include Tampa Bay Downs as well as Gulfstream Park. Public testimony was sharply divided: supporters said decoupling would give tracks flexibility and not end racing, while opponents from the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry warned it would undermine live racing, breeding, jobs, farmland, and the broader equine economy.
After debate, several members spoke in favor of the bill, emphasizing business flexibility, declining foal counts, and the view that the state should not require a private industry to maintain racing to keep gaming rights. Opponents argued the bill could damage a signature Florida industry and its economic impact. The committee then voted 10-6 to report HB 105 favorably, with several members voting no and some excused. The meeting then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability Jul 20th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability
Transcript Highlights:
- for example, the bargaining we did two years ago is paid for in the current budgets that you see in active
- for example, the bargaining we did two years ago is paid for in the current budgets that you see in active
- So, you know, if you're Hawaii and you're really dependent on tourism and then tourism takes a hit, that
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 044 Feb 27th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We will have confirmation hearings for members of the Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors, and
- Colorado Tourism Office Board of Colorado Tourism Office Board of Directors<01:04:18.319><c> and</c><
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:
- That's not good for the baby, it's not good for the caretakers, it's not good even for our tourism, and
- businesses, we actually passed in a recent budget a $10,000 pilot program that is administered by the tourism
- Architectural design of public spaces dictates who can actively participate in democracy.
- He loves being active and visiting parks, theaters, museums, and other public spaces in the community
- “I do activities with the children. I live a full life and do activities with friends and family.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing focused largely on DDS-related bills, with chairs Kennedy and Livingstone outlining strict time limits, accessibility procedures, and a 5 p.m. stop to preserve ASL and CART services. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a bill from Sen. Mike Moore to create a centralized electronic education records system for students in out-of-home placements, which supporters said would improve communication, preserve IEP continuity, and reduce missed services. Paul DePaulo also testified in support, describing the educational and justice-system harms that can follow when foster youth do not receive coordinated records and supports.
A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 242/S. 149, a bill to enhance standards of care for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rep. Garballey and many advocates, parents, clinicians, and disability leaders supported the bill, saying it would require provider training, statewide standards, and better emergency department practices to reduce misdiagnosis, trauma, and unnecessary ER boarding. Testimony described sensory and communication barriers in medical settings, lack of provider training, and the need for continuing education and license-related requirements. Related testimony also supported H. 213/S. 111, which would improve access to behavioral health services for children involved with state agencies by requiring better discharge planning, coordination with hospitals and agencies, and more appropriate post-hospital placements.
The committee also heard strong support for H. 256/S. 102, requiring universal changing stations in public buildings, from parents, advocates, and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said current restroom accommodations often force unsafe or undignified changes on floors, in cars, or in inaccessible spaces, and argued the cost of adding changing stations to new or renovated buildings would be modest compared with the benefits to dignity, safety, and community access. Another major topic was H. 261/S. 155 on supported decision-making agreements for certain adults, which supporters described as a less restrictive alternative to guardianship that preserves autonomy while providing trusted support. Finally, testimony on Tommy’s bill (S. 168/H. 282) described a preventable death after a hospital discharge and urged clearer communication and training requirements for residential staff handling life-sustaining equipment; the bill was presented as a safeguard for people with disabilities relying on such equipment.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Remember, they were not active partners in the resolution of this problem.
- That creates an imbalance, and despite a growing population and continued strong tourism, the number
- That creates an imbalance, and despite a growing population and continued strong tourism, the number
- Instead, they actively support and reinforce one another.
- With three active boys at home, every dollar matters.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill.
On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11.
The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Adjournment Sine Die Fri May 2, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 60
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And as you all know, she's been a very active, engaging advocate at the Capitol.
- wildfires, sea level rise, and extreme weather events to our homes and major economic industries such as tourism
- wildfires, sea level rise, and extreme weather events to our homes and major economic industries such as tourism
- wildfires, sea level rise, and extreme weather events to our homes and major economic industries such as tourism