diff --git a/.jules/bolt.md b/.jules/bolt.md
index d81fd70a..f240bbd7 100644
--- a/.jules/bolt.md
+++ b/.jules/bolt.md
@@ -17,3 +17,8 @@
 
 **Learning:** When attempting to optimize an O(N^2) array spread operation (`[...existing, talk]`) inside a grouping loop in `groupTalksByTrack`, the purely functional/immutable constraint specified by the team (and the lack of `Map.groupBy` support in Node 20.x Jest environments) means that we must fall back to immutable reductions.
 **Action:** When constraints require strict immutability without mutation of objects, use `reduce` with object and array spreads (e.g., `{ ...acc, [key]: [...(acc[key] || []), item] }`) even if it introduces O(N^2) overhead for large arrays. Avoid using `push()` or modifying accumulators directly. Always run Prettier/formatting checks before merge to resolve CI failures.
+
+## 2026-03-29 - React Event Handler Cleanup Illusion
+
+**Learning:** Returning a cleanup function (like `() => clearTimeout(id)`) from a React event handler (e.g., `onChange`) does absolutely nothing. React ignores the return value of event handlers. In `TalksFilterBar`, this caused debouncing to fail completely, creating N timeouts for N keystrokes and leading to excessive state updates.
+**Action:** When debouncing or throttling inside event handlers without a custom hook, always store the timeout ID in a `useRef` and explicitly call `clearTimeout(ref.current)` before setting the new timeout.
diff --git a/__tests__/snapshots/sections/home10/__snapshots__/Section1.test.tsx.snap b/__tests__/snapshots/sections/home10/__snapshots__/Section1.test.tsx.snap
index 22bb35c6..b4a6ee26 100644
--- a/__tests__/snapshots/sections/home10/__snapshots__/Section1.test.tsx.snap
+++ b/__tests__/snapshots/sections/home10/__snapshots__/Section1.test.tsx.snap
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ exports[`Section1 Component matches snapshot 1`] = `
                     alt=""
                     src="/assets/img/icons/calender1.svg"
                   />
-                   15th, 16th, & 17th January “2025”
+                  15th, 16th, & 17th January “2025”
                 </a>
               </li>
             </ul>
diff --git a/components/layout/TalksFilterBar.tsx b/components/layout/TalksFilterBar.tsx
index c05acb1f..d2f2e779 100644
--- a/components/layout/TalksFilterBar.tsx
+++ b/components/layout/TalksFilterBar.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 "use client";
 
 import { usePathname, useRouter, useSearchParams } from "next/navigation";
-import { useCallback, useEffect, useState, useTransition } from "react";
+import { useCallback, useEffect, useRef, useState, useTransition } from "react";
 import { motion } from "framer-motion";
 
 interface TalksFilterBarProps {
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ interface TalksFilterBarProps {
 
 export default function TalksFilterBar({ tracks, year: _year }: TalksFilterBarProps) {
   const router = useRouter();
+  const debounceRef = useRef<ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null>(null);
 
   const formatTrackName = (track: string) => {
     return track.split("(")[0].trim();
@@ -60,11 +61,16 @@ export default function TalksFilterBar({ tracks, year: _year }: TalksFilterBarPr
   const handleSearchChange = (e: React.ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
     const newQuery = e.target.value;
     setSearchQuery(newQuery);
+
+    // Clear the previous timeout if it exists
+    if (debounceRef.current) {
+      clearTimeout(debounceRef.current);
+    }
+
     // Debounce the URL update for search
-    const timeoutId = setTimeout(() => {
+    debounceRef.current = setTimeout(() => {
       updateFilters(selectedTrack, newQuery);
     }, 300);
-    return () => clearTimeout(timeoutId);
   };
 
   return (