Video & Transcript Research : 'artists'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 1631 is a bill that supports the cultural and artistic work of the organization Clues, which
- Gardelio, the artist. Good to see all three of you again. You may proceed.
- We engage more than 50 artists, and 2,350 people attend our 12 educational workshops.
- My name is Adriana Gordillo, and I am a Latina artist, poet, and Spanish educator.
- As an emerging yet middle-aged Latina artist, finding opportunities to have a solo exhibit is not easy
Keywords:
cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We have with us today Miss Lee and Miss Manzone and Miss Gardilo, the artist.
- We engaged more than 50 artists. 2,350 people attended our 12 educational workshops.
- We engaged more than 50 artists. 2,350 people attended our 12 educational workshops.
- My name is Adriana Gordio, and I am a Latina artist, poet, and Spanish educator.
- >
finding <01:31:22.560>opportunities Latina artist, uh, finding opportunities Latina artist
Keywords:
cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Fri Feb 6, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- by AI-generated music artists.
- , eliminating the disclosures and incentives, leaving only the prohibition for AI-generated music artists
- prohibition for AI generated<02:35:17.840>
um <02:35:18.160>music <02:35:18.560>artists - <02:35:19.359>
The <02:35:19.600>chair generated um music artists. - The chair generated um music artists.
Bills:
HB1838, HB1870, HB2445, HB2540, HB1886, HB1839, HB2269, HB1939, HB2037, HB1635, HB1941, HB1576, HB2568, HB2267, HB2590, HB2266, HB2597, HB2499, HB2500, HB2502, HB2607, HB2137, HB2357, HB1782
Keywords:
HB1838, Hawaii, Act 142, U visa, T visa, U nonimmigrant status, T nonimmigrant status, immigration certification, visa certification, Form I-918 Supplement B, Form I-914 Supplement B, noncitizen victims, crime victim, human trafficking, victim helpfulness, law enforcement certification, prosecutor certification, judicial review, circuit court, confidentiality
Summary:
The committee opened testimony on House Bill 1838, relating to visas. Testifiers from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the legal clinic, the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the ACLU, CARES, and immigrant-rights groups strongly supported the bill, saying it would bring Hawaii into compliance with federal law, standardize and speed up certification for U and T visa applicants, and better protect survivors of crime and trafficking. Supporters emphasized that delays in certification can leave eligible survivors waiting years for federal visa access and can undermine public safety by discouraging victims from reporting crimes. The chair announced there were 103 testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on the bill in the hearing.
The committee next heard House Bill 1870, concerning protected locations and immigration enforcement. Testimony from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, ACLU of Hawaii, educators, students, and community advocates supported limiting immigration enforcement at schools and other essential-service sites, arguing that families should be able to access education, health care, shelters, libraries, and social services without fear. The Department of Education said it had already issued guidance in March 2025 for how staff should respond when law enforcement comes onto campus, and the Public Charter School Commission noted implementation would need to occur at the school level. Testifiers said the bill would create standardized protocols and protect students and families from fear and disruption; the chair reported 142 testimonies in support, one in opposition, and five comments.
The committee then took up House Bill 2445, relating to student safety and law enforcement on campus. The Department of Education again said it had already rolled out statewide guidance and described its process for staff to notify administration, verify law enforcement identification and purpose, and route matters through the complex area superintendent and attorney general, while noting emergencies would be handled differently. A committee member questioned whether the procedures were sufficiently standardized and whether staff were trained for unusual situations. Student and community testifiers supported the bill, saying schools should remain safe havens and that clear procedures are needed if federal immigration enforcement appears on campus. The Department of Law Enforcement testified in opposition to parts of the measure, raising concerns about masking requirements, vehicle markings, officer safety, doxxing, retaliation, costs, and possible supremacy-clause conflicts, and suggested more exemptions and a compromise approach. The chair reported 106 testimonies in support, two comments, and no opposition for the bill before moving on to the next measure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Arts May 14th, 2026
Joint Committee on the Arts
Transcript Highlights:
- That means placing artists specifically in residence...
- And that concept, artists face constantly. And that concept, artists face constantly.
- We do mediations, often involving artists.
- to see more people, artists, and policy making.
- difficult to live in the state as an artist.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future: Creative Strategies for Cultural Resilience, Economic Growth, and Global Leadership.” Chair Allen opened by framing the creative economy as a major state asset and urged support for arts funding in the May Revision, including California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, LA28 arts programming, and AB 2319, which would create a $100 million post-production incentive. He also emphasized the need for next-step funding to implement the strategic plan and noted concerns about federal headwinds and declining creative-sector jobs.
California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and Workforce Development Board representative Michael Weoff described how the plan was developed through AB 127 and related legislation, a 30-plus-member work group, and an interagency process. They outlined the plan’s phased approach and six priority areas, including preparing the workforce, stabilizing businesses, increasing revenue through cultural tourism, leveraging state incentives, defining and tracking ROI, and building state capacity. Testimony highlighted workforce pipelines, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, digital badging, and cross-agency coordination, with speakers stressing that the sector is shaped by AI, climate change, affordability, capital access, and social cohesion.
A second panel of artists and advocates described on-the-ground implementation and the need for better data and support. Ricarlo Handy discussed the Handy Foundation’s apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and the difficulty of capturing freelance and 1099 creative work in state data. Joanna Reynolds described Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030. Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged the state to embed artists in health, aging, behavioral health, and climate resilience systems, and Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to treat arts careers as viable professions and expand residency and school-based artist programs. Senator Rubio, who joined the hearing later, shared her own background in teaching and the arts, supported arts education and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt.
In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 town halls across eight regions, where more than 1,100 people attended and generally affirmed the plan while asking for better access to information, new financial models, clearer definitions and data, and stronger networks. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates argued the plan is an urgent blueprint for a sector that generates $288 billion and more than 820,000 jobs, but remains below pre-pandemic employment levels and is losing market share. She and others called for funding, statewide definitions, better data collection, and cross-agency implementation, while committee members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that the plan will require political will and resources to move from strategy to action.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on the Arts May 14th, 2026
Joint Committee on the Arts
Transcript Highlights:
- That means placing artists specifically in residence...
- And that concept, artists face constantly. And that concept, artists face constantly.
- We do mediations, often involving artists.
- to see more people, artists, and policymaking.
- to see more people, artists, and policy making.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan.
California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed.
A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt.
In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Dance has true artistic power for joy, for community, and to help through artistic... ...for joy, for
- We've seen hundreds of artists, both visual and musical and other performing artists, leave Massachusetts
- , not just Boston, to find affordable artist workspace.
- I am a mural artist.
- So when one artist is hired, that means that we get to train two other artists.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development held a hearing on October 21, opening with a moment of silence for former committee chair Senator Edward Kennedy. Chairs Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey then heard testimony on several bills related to tourism funding, arts infrastructure, public art, Native heritage, and a choreographer laureate.
A major focus was legislation to require earlier distribution of regional tourism council grants from the Tourism Trust Fund, with testimony from regional tourism leaders from North of Boston, Metro West, Cape Cod, and Senator Joan Lovely. Witnesses said delayed grant allocations make it difficult to plan fall, winter, and shoulder-season marketing, and they argued that an October 1 or September 1 deadline would help preserve tourism’s economic impact without increasing appropriations. They cited tourism’s role in jobs, tax revenue, and regional economic development, especially for smaller and less prominent tourism regions.
The committee also heard strong support for the Creative Space Act and the PLACE Act, which would help municipalities preserve affordable creative workspace and create a public art funding mechanism tied to state construction projects. Testimony from MassCreative, MAPC, arts organizations, muralists, and local arts leaders emphasized loss of workspace, displacement of artists, and the economic and community benefits of public art. Additional testimony supported bills to protect Native American heritage by preventing the sale of funerary and sacred objects in public or nonprofit collections, and a bill to establish a first-in-the-nation choreographer laureate of the Commonwealth. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/04/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- They feature Minnesota artists.
- They feature Minnesota artists.
- Grant from us as an artist, so we don't just bring in outside-of-the-state type artists.
- We wish that every artist in Minnesota could afford to live just as an artist, but most of them, you
- We wish that every artist in Minnesota could afford to live just as an artist, but most of them, you
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- But voice artists, whether you be a voiceover artist or a singer, they're petrified because that's happening
- And on the artist side, there's no database of artist claims, like, I made this content.
- I'm a climate organizer as well as an artist.
- I'm a student and an artist.
- I'm a technical artist in the video games industry, and I use technology every day to support artists
Summary:
The Senate Judiciary Committee and Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing at Stanford on the intersection of artificial intelligence, copyright, transparency, and California’s creative economy. Chairs and members emphasized that the hearing was not on a specific bill and no vote would be taken. Opening remarks framed the issue as balancing protection for artists and other rights holders with the need to keep AI innovation and related economic activity thriving in California, while noting that federal action is unlikely and that state policy may influence national standards.
The first panel featured Professor Pamela Samuelson and Stanford researcher Rishi Bommasani. Samuelson reviewed the current copyright litigation landscape, including dozens of lawsuits over AI training, and explained the fair use framework, the Google Books precedent, and the uncertainty around newer theories such as market dilution. She said states can likely regulate transparency, deepfakes, privacy, and safety, but warned that some proposals may be preempted by federal copyright law. Bommasani described widespread opacity around training data among major California AI companies, discussed AB 2013 and the EU AI Act as transparency models, and identified gaps in disclosure design, enforcement, and whether transparency alone can address copyright and IP concerns. Members asked about open-source models, opt-outs, machine unlearning, user data, and state options for protecting creators.
The second panel included SAG-AFTRA board member Jason George, Animation Guild president Danny Lynn, and OpenAI copyright counsel Mark Gray. George and Lynn argued that AI training on performers’ and artists’ work without consent or compensation threatens jobs, bargaining power, and reputations, and they supported stronger transparency and licensing requirements so creators can identify when their work is used. Gray said AI is already being used as a productivity tool and highlighted partnerships between AI companies and publishers, record labels, and studios, while arguing that specific harmful uses such as deepfakes should be regulated directly rather than restricting general-purpose AI development. Committee members discussed labeling and watermarking of AI-generated content, transparency around model use, and whether state law should require more detailed disclosure of training data; no formal action was taken.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CAA Info Briefing - Thu May 22, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
the <00:15:07.680>schools include the artist in the schools include the artist in the - foster and celebrate artistic foster and celebrate artistic expressions<00:27:14.880>
of < - Right, we do an open call for artists that they determine if they want only Hawaii artists or if they
- artist to ensure that that artist is being... and then we support off to the side.
- <01:21:32.880>
That's um for 34 teaching artists. That's um for 34 teaching artists.
Summary:
The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing on May 22 with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Chair Capella said the purpose was to better understand the organizations’ work and strengthen relationships ahead of the interim and next session. The Hawaii Arts Alliance, led by Executive Director Gay Humphrey, described its mission to enrich Hawaii’s cultural fabric through arts education, advocacy, and community engagement, and highlighted its history tied to Alfred Price, including the creation of Hawaii’s 1% for art law and the alliance’s 45 years of service.
The alliance outlined its current work, including administering SFCA-funded statewide programs such as Artist in the Schools and the new folk and traditional arts program, with 34 teaching partners serving more than 100 public and charter schools and Kumu Hawaii as the single grantee for traditional weaving instruction. It also discussed Arts First Partners, the incubation of Arts at Mark’s Garage, expanded advocacy efforts supported by Creative West grants, and new multi-year philanthropic support from the Hawaii Community Foundation and Atherton Family Foundation. The alliance said it is launching statewide listening sessions and an arts advocacy training program, and noted that most SFCA funds pass through the alliance to program partners, with the organization retaining 10 to 14 percent for administration.
SFCA Executive Director Karen Ewald then described the agency’s role as the state arts agency, its strategic planning process, and its main programs, including Art in Public Places, the Capital Modern museum, Artist in the Schools, apprentice mentoring grants, community arts grants, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, a statewide cultural extension program, and the Hawaii Open Arts Program. She said SFCA has 21 staff with one vacancy, is awaiting a federal NEA partnership agreement, and is considering new revenue streams such as a cultural trust. She also noted that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was recently attached to SFCA, which has improved coordination and allows SFCA to provide funding for conservation and upkeep of the King Kamehameha statues statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with questions deferred until after the presentations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 8th, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a film concept artist. Hi, my name is Zach Berger.
- I'm a film concept artist, a member of IATSE Local 800.
- I'm an artist.
- I'm an artist, a concept artist, who had a decades-long career in concept art for companies like DreamWorks
- But the artists in this room cannot.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection heard three Assembly bills. AB 412, the AI Copyright Transparency Act by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would require developers to let copyright holders query whether their works were used to train generative AI systems. Supporters, including voice actors, artists, labor groups, and Professor Ben Zhao, argued the bill is a narrow transparency measure that helps creators protect their rights and that the underlying technology is feasible. Opponents, including business and tech groups, argued the bill goes ahead of unsettled copyright law, is technically difficult to implement at scale, and could burden startups. The author accepted committee amendments narrowing the bill, and the committee voted 6-2 to pass it as amended to the Judiciary Committee.
AB 2448 by Assembly Member Berman would require electronic health record vendors to implement technical safeguards that help providers protect sensitive reproductive and gender-affirming care information. Planned Parenthood affiliates, the Attorney General’s office, and other supporters said the bill clarifies existing law and strengthens patient privacy amid threats to reproductive care access. There was no opposition testimony. The committee voted 7-1 to pass the bill to the Health Committee.
AB 2561 by Assembly Member Valencia would prohibit changes to consumers’ privacy settings without their consent, aiming to prevent apps and software updates from resetting user preferences. CalChamber and TechNet representatives said they now supported the bill after the author accepted their amendments. The committee voted 8-0 to pass AB 2561. The hearing included multiple roll calls as quorum was established and bills were held on call before final votes were taken, and the committee then adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CAA Info Briefing - Wed Jan 14, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:14:39.120>
in support of contemporary artists in support of contemporary artists in Hawaii - >
advisory <00:28:40.399>committee artist and the art advisory committee artist and the - The area where the artist is working.
- How are you folks expanding to try and support local artists, not necessarily just visiting artists that
- um um that uh the curators and artists um um that uh the teaching<00:56:04.160>
artist <00:56:
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce committee approves bill to eliminate prohibition of cadmium in some products 3/5/25
Transcript Highlights:
- I talked to an artist here in St.
- I talked to an artist here in St.
- <00:01:47.479>
can't so this this professional artist can't so this this professional artist - >
as <00:09:06.480>a are not used in artist paints as a are not used in artist paints as - only place in the world where artists only place in the world where artists and<00:09:51.360>
Summary:
The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs.
Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- . artists. artists.
- <00:20:14.080>
33 artistic director of Theater Mu. 33 artistic director of Theater Mu. 33 - face as an artistic leader. face as an artistic leader.
- And artists in community needs.
- and our artists and our neighbors. and our artists and our neighbors.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sure it's important to the artist. It's important to our communities.
- Artists go through a rigorous application and review process to receive these commissions.
- In fact, many of these artists paint murals as only part of their larger artistic practice, while some
- My name is Jaya King, and I am an artist and muralist based here in Sacramento.
- There are restrictions that rein in even artistic works, and creativity does need that.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism heard SB 456 by Senator Ashby, the Community Beautification Act, which would create an exemption allowing muralists to do commissioned mural work without obtaining a contractor’s license. The author and supporters said the bill would clarify existing law, preserve public art and placemaking projects, and still leave in place applicable safety, permitting, and contract requirements. Support testimony came from the City of Sacramento’s arts manager and muralist Jaya King, who described mural projects as fine art and community engagement rather than construction, and from numerous local governments and arts organizations, including the League of California Cities, Los Angeles County, Sacramento, Stockton, Glendale, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Riverside, Escondido, and the California Travel Association.
Opposition centered on concerns that the exemption could weaken consumer protections in contractor licensing law. One member of the public argued that mural projects can involve construction-related work such as surface preparation and installation, and that licensing requirements, down payments, insurance, and background checks protect consumers and should not be bypassed. A representative of the State Building and Construction Trades also expressed concerns but said the author’s office had been engaged and a follow-up meeting was scheduled.
Several committee members spoke in favor, saying murals are clearly public art and an important part of neighborhood identity and local culture. The chair and other members described the bill as a common-sense clarification that would reduce barriers for artists and cities seeking to permit mural projects. The committee then voted 9-0 to pass SB 456 and re-refer it to the Business and Professions Committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- In fact, many of these artists paint murals as only part of their larger artistic practice, while some
- My name is **Jaya King**, and I am an artist and muralist based here in Sacramento.
- And SB 456 supports artists like me.
- Artists and fewer perspectives on walls.
- There are restrictions that rein in even artistic works, and creativity does need that.
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:
- I'm also a mostly disabled artist myself.
- But I'm coming today as just an individual artist.
- I'm a professional theater artist and a resident of Somerville.
- I'm a professional theater artist and residents of Somerville.
- Monkey House, where I'm the co-artistic director.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing focused on accessibility-related legislation, with the chairs emphasizing ASL and CART accessibility and asking testifiers to speak slowly and clearly. The committee heard testimony first on H.223/S.130, a bill to establish a livable wage for community-based human service workers by reducing the pay gap with state employees. Providers’ Council, Communities for People, the Key Program, and BAMSI all supported the bill, describing persistent wage disparities, high vacancy and turnover rates, and the impact on continuity of care for children, youth, and families. Witnesses said the bill would help recruitment and retention and stabilize services across the Commonwealth.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.224/S.160, the ACE Act, which would create a dedicated funding source to improve accessibility in the creative economy. Arts organizations and advocates, including Community Access to the Arts, Abilities Dance Boston, Jacob’s Pillow, the Multicultural Arts Center, Northampton Community Music Center, Mass Creative, Open Door Arts, and Monkey House, described barriers such as inaccessible buildings, lack of ASL interpretation and captioning, inadequate lifts and backstage access, and the high cost of renovations. Testifiers said the bill would help smaller and historic institutions make physical and programmatic improvements and allow people with disabilities to participate as artists, workers, and audiences.
The committee also heard testimony on H.4180, which would require DDS to consider neuropsychological evaluations when determining eligibility for intellectual disability services. Parents and advocates argued that IQ cutoffs alone can miss significant functional needs, especially for autistic adults and others with complex developmental profiles, and urged broader access to DDS supports. Additional testimony supported S.101 on closed captioning and telecommunications in public areas, and S.158 on requiring restaurants to have some chairs with arms to better accommodate physically disabled and older patrons. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after hearing from the scheduled witnesses and noting a few signups that were not present.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee May 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- up Eric Church tour tickets 2025, and I do this every committee for a different artist.
- Eric Church tour tickets 2025, and I do this every committee for a different artist.
- It protects consumers, supports fans and artists, and the experience that they both share.
- And as artists, we strive to create meaningful experiences that bring people together.
- On behalf of the Music Artist Coalition, proud co-sponsor, in support. Thank you.
Summary:
The California Assembly Judiciary Committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, then heard AB 1349, a consumer-protection bill aimed at stopping speculative ticketing. The author said the bill would require ticket sellers to own or have a contractual right to sell tickets before listing them, require disclosure of seat locations, maintain records and refund capability on secondary platforms, and ban fake websites that mimic official event pages. Supporters included California Arts Advocates, the Music Artist Coalition, the National Independent Venue Association, Live Nation, the San Francisco Symphony, the American Conservatory Theater, and several sports teams, who argued the bill would protect fans, artists, venues, and nonprofit arts organizations from fraud and price gouging.
Opposition came from the Consumer Federation of California, StubHub, SeekGeek/TickPick, and Vivid Seats. They said they supported the goal of stopping speculative ticketing but argued the bill’s language could create implementation problems, interfere with legitimate ticket transfers, and overlap with issues already being addressed in federal legislation and litigation involving the ticketing industry. They also raised concerns about terms-and-conditions restrictions and the potential effect on consumers’ ability to resell or transfer tickets they already purchased.
Committee members largely expressed support for the bill’s consumer-protection goals while noting the need to continue working on amendments and unresolved issues. The author said he was committed to working with the opposition. The committee then approved AB 1349, as amended, on a do-pass motion to Appropriations by unanimous roll call vote, and the bill was reported out of committee.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This happens to artists in all genres. Tom Odell is an indie artist who announced a tour.
- My name is Ron Gubitz, and I’m the executive director of the Music Artist Coalition, or MAC.
- presented and that the relationship between artists and fans is primary.
- No one cares more about music fans than the artists themselves.
- No one cares more about music fans than the artists themselves.
Summary:
The Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee met on April 8, 2025, and heard three bills. AB 666 would designate Bigfoot as California’s official state cryptid, with the author arguing it would recognize North Coast history and support local tourism; there was no support testimony, one opposition witness said the bill was a distraction from more serious issues, and the chair ultimately held the bill for lack of a motion.
AB 1349 addressed speculative ticketing in the live entertainment market by requiring sellers to own or have a contractual right to tickets before listing them, along with disclosure, recordkeeping, anti-spoofing, and refund provisions. The author and supporters from music venues, artist groups, and sports organizations said the bill would protect fans and artists from deceptive resale practices and price gouging. Opponents from consumer and resale groups argued the measure was overbroad, could restrict legitimate resale and concierge services, and might favor primary ticketing monopolies. The committee members who spoke generally supported the consumer-protection goals, and the bill passed out of committee on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting.
AB 932 would require local education agencies that rent facilities to third-party youth sports clubs to provide gender-equitable access, closing what the author described as a loophole affecting girls’ club sports. Supporters, including the California Department of Education and youth sports advocates, said the bill would improve access for girls and address examples of unequal field and gym use. Opponents argued it could conflict with Title IX and raised broader objections to gender identity language in sports policy. The committee approved the bill on a 6-0 vote, with three members not voting, and sent it to Judiciary.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/18/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:01:21.320>
and celebrating local Latino artists and celebrating local Latino artists and - <00:04:29.919>
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee and Joint Committee on the Arts May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We present exhibitions by diverse contemporary artists.
- In 1989, we present exhibitions by diverse contemporary artists, provide artist-led education programs
- It's a network of artists and creative professionals.
- I am also a born-and-raised Californian and an artist myself and a mother of an artist.
- I am also a born and raised Californian and an artist myself and a mother of artist.
Summary:
The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools.
Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy.
The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.