Video & Transcript Research : 'evaluations'

Page 189 of 346
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (01/27/2025)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:38:47.800> the the commission to uh to evaluate the the commission to uh to evaluate the
  • An important component of cost-effectiveness is having a cost-benefit test that lets us evaluate whether
  • <01:00:48.960> whether test that lets us evaluate whether test that lets us evaluate whether
  • They basically said unless the commission is evaluating the financial costs and benefits to ratepayers
  • , it is not clear how the commission would evaluate cost shifting between customer categories, because
Keywords: 1189, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/20/2026)

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The department would be<04:13:54.800> evaluating<04:13:56.159> um<04:13:56.319> much
  • um much like it does now be evaluating um much like it does now those<04:13:58.319> requests<
  • I think your evaluation of the risk pool and the it was that, it's easy.
  • I think your your<05:01:35.920> evaluation<05:01:36.638> of<05:01:37.040> the<05
  • it indicates that basis to evaluate it indicates that there's<05:06:46.798> a<05:06:46.958>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee began with procedural announcements about report turnaround, amendment submission methods during split operations, a possible January 29 session, the governor’s State of the State on February 5, parking, cafeteria opening, and the plan to finish work by February 10. It then moved into executive session on HB 1123, which would require certain companies to post salary ranges on public job listings. Representative Granger moved ITL, arguing the bill would interfere with negotiations, especially for higher-level jobs, and raise compelled-speech concerns. Supporters, including Representatives Schultz, Sullivan, Cahill, Staub, and others, said salary ranges help applicants avoid wasted time and travel, improve transparency, and are already a common workplace disclosure. The committee voted 10-9 to ITL HB 1123. The committee next took up HB 177, concerning a definition of remote work in labor law. Representative Murphy moved ITL, saying the bill could burden employers, create vague obligations, duplicate existing protections, and potentially require intrusive compliance measures. Representative Sullivan described a proposed amendment that would narrow the bill to a definition of remote work and remove broader requirements, but the committee ultimately voted 11-9 to ITL HB 177. Members also noted that the amendment had not been fully circulated in time and that the issue might merit further review. Finally, the committee opened HB 1352, a workers’ compensation bill focused on repricing and payment practices. The sponsor withdrew an initial ITL motion and moved OTP after amendment review. Members discussed concerns raised at the hearing about delayed payments, third-party administrators, and the need for better accountability. Representative McKenzie’s amendment would define good faith, create a voluntary three-year dispute-resolution pilot, restore fines to prior levels, and add reporting/accountability requirements for carriers that miss the 30-day payment deadline. Several members supported the amendment as a way to help small businesses and providers, while others said repricing needed broader study through the workers’ compensation advisory council. The Department of Labor explained that the amendment would require carriers and related payers to report missed determinations to the department and would increase oversight of payment timeliness.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

FIN Info Briefing - Thu Jan 16, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's why I want to bring up those two situations, and then we should do an evaluation of the whole
  • That's why I want to bring up those two situations, and then we should do an evaluation of the whole
  • authority having jurisdiction that's given under HRS 461A-13 to the counties for this internal evaluation
  • authority having jurisdiction that's given under HRS 461A-13 to the counties for this internal evaluation
  • Having jurisdiction that's given under HRS 461A-13 to the counties for this internal evaluation of a
Keywords: 910, house, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (01/21/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • for those who are then evaluations for those who are then determined<00:55:48.680> which<00:55
  • an emergency being evaluated in an emergency department<01:18:35.520> perhaps<01:18:35.840>
  • We also offer neutral case evaluation.
  • That neutral case evaluation has been incredibly successful.
  • <01:46:05.599> has that has neutral case evaluation has that has neutral case evaluation has
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • bill to maintain the requirement that a radiologist assistant performs specified procedures and evaluations
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The meeting was a Republican caucus review of several Senate and House bills, with staff summarizing committee amendments and members indicating whether sponsors concurred with Senate changes. Topics included electronic monitoring in residential rooms (SB 1041), dental school complaint forwarding and licensure exemptions (SB 1168), revitalization district contracts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), veterinary telehealth prescribing (SB 1286), insurance zero-estimated-exposure policies (SB 1428), advanced air mobility funds for border security (SB 1457), death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), ATV definitions (SB 1519), pet and fowl restrictions in planned communities (SB 1582), and pharmacist independent testing/treatment authority (SB 1713). The caucus also reviewed education-related measures on school district self-insurance procurement (SB 1497) and a strike-everything amendment to SB 1118 that instead allowed duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in historic areas if compatible with surrounding character. The group then considered several blue-sheet House bills. HB 2120 made technical changes to align property-tax disability language with updated statute; the sponsor concurred. HB 2174 changed terminology from advisory organization to modeling and data organization and required model filing; the sponsor concurred. HB 2203 directed ADE to review statutory reporting requirements and report recommendations to the legislature; the sponsor concurred. HB 2383’s Senate amendment simply designated a 2014 trampoline court law as “TIE’s law,” with the sponsor concurring. HB 2877 was amended into an alternative education pathway for certified veterinary technicians, and HB 2875 adjusted municipal and county drone restrictions near airports, expanding the relevant airport buffer and preserving some local authority. Additional bills discussed included HB 2428 on voluntary county emissions-reduction credit permits, HB 2176 on DHS health care institution complaint investigations, and HB 2050 on radiologic technology standards and radiologist assistant supervision. Members discussed that HB 2050’s Senate changes narrowed some supervision provisions to rural counties and critical access hospitals, prompting questions about the scope. Finally, HB 2010 on digital goods refunds was amended to shorten the refund window from 10 years to five years, but a sponsor said the amendment contained a drafting error and refused concurrence, meaning a conference committee would be needed. The caucus then concluded.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • three years of teaching experience, earn a highly effective rating on their most recent performance evaluation
Summary: The Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, it heard SB 1318 on the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which makes a technical clarification that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was no substantive opposition or debate, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered CS for SB 182, which creates a school teacher training and mentor program within the Department of Education. The bill authorizes school districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers in D- or F-rated schools to mentor classroom teachers, with mentors required to have at least three years of experience, a highly effective evaluation, and eligibility for a stipend of up to $3,000. A late-filed amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version by setting the mentoring term to one grading period, capping the number of mentees per mentor, and clarifying use of enrichment funds when available. Senators asked about implementation, including timing, logistics, and whether mentors would remain within the same school; the sponsor said principals would manage assignments and that the program would operate within the same school. Testimony came from a seven-year-old student, Kyler Nixon, who urged support for the bill, and his mother, Kiara Nixon, who also spoke in favor. Additional support was voiced by committee members, and CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked members and staff for their work during the session, noted it may be the committee’s last policy meeting, and the committee adjourned without further business.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Feb 25th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • three years of teaching experience, earn a highly effective rating on their most recent performance evaluation
Summary: The Pre-K–12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, SB 1318 by Senator Rodriguez made a technical clarification to the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. There was little discussion, no opposition, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 182 by Senator Jones, which creates a school teacher training and mentoring program within the Department of Education. The program would allow districts and charter schools to place current or retired high-performing teachers as mentors in D- or F-rated schools, with mentors required to have at least three years of experience, a highly effective evaluation, and eligibility for a stipend of up to $3,000. A late-filed amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version by setting the mentoring term to one grading period, capping the number of mentees, and clarifying use of enrichment funds. Members discussed implementation, including that principals would assign mentors based on workload and that the mentoring would occur within the same school. The bill received supportive testimony from a seven-year-old student, his mother, and the Florida Parent Teacher Association, and several senators spoke in favor of the measure as a way to support teachers and improve student outcomes. CS for SB 182 was reported favorably. The chair then thanked members and staff, noted this was likely the committee’s final policy meeting, and the committee adjourned.
FL

Florida 2026 4th Special Session

February 2, 2026 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • residents continue receiving the same or better fire rescue service while both parties have time to evaluate
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Jan 22nd, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • accountability processes by simplifying local testing calendars, specifying that the value-added evaluation
Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions for the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Thomas Clem of Lakeland, and a large YMCA delegation visiting for the organization’s 175th anniversary. Senators highlighted the YMCA’s youth leadership programs and community service, and the chamber entered a proclamation recognizing the YMCA’s long service and its work in community support, youth development, and public health efforts. The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 regular session’s statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed repealed provisions from the statutes; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language, updated cross-references, and corrected drafting errors. Each of those bills was advanced to third reading and passed unanimously, 36-0. Senators also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, also by a 36-0 vote. Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, drew the most substantive policy discussion. Its sponsor said the bill would reduce district-level mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship pathways, create longer-term teacher contracts and certificates, streamline salary supplements and assessments, increase flexibility in district finances and Title I use, adjust facility planning requirements, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. The sponsor emphasized reducing bureaucracy while preserving accountability and focusing resources on students; the bill passed 36-0. The Senate also withdrew Senate Bill 1720 from further consideration, waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

November 5, 2025 - 10:30 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • that we go through continuously with different objectives, and included in all of those are an evaluation
Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met with a quorum present and received a briefing from Melissa Jordan, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Health and chair of the Florida Rare Disease Advisory Council (ARDAC). Jordan explained that rare diseases affect fewer than 200,000 people each individually, but together impact an estimated 2.3 million Floridians. She reviewed ARDAC’s structure, its three subcommittees, and its 2025 legislative report recommendations, which focused on expanding Florida-specific data, disaster preparedness, state agency coordination, insurance oversight, provider education, faster diagnostic tools, research collaboration, and establishing centers of excellence. She also highlighted ARDAC’s work with other states and its effort to build an online repository of resources for families and providers. Jordan discussed the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program, funded at $500,000 annually, which supported research awards at Florida State University and the University of Miami in 2024 and another University of Miami project in 2025. She also described House Bill 907 and the Sunshine Genetics Act pilot program, which created the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a newborn whole-genome sequencing pilot to screen volunteer infants for hundreds of conditions beyond traditional newborn screening. The institute will include research, training, clinical care, a diagnostic lab, genome editing capacity, and a sequencing pilot overseen by a board, consortium, and steering committee. Members asked about interstate collaboration, the scope of data collection beyond Medicaid, how the council reduces family financial burdens, how families and providers can learn about available resources, and how ARDAC measures effectiveness. Jordan said Florida has learned from other states’ survey-based approaches and instead is using administrative data sources such as Medicaid, hospitalizations, emergency department visits, birth and death certificates, with more clinical data to be added over time. She said success is tracked through annual reports, ongoing work plans, and quarterly research reports that measure progress, patient enrollment, treatment outcomes, and potential follow-on funding. The meeting concluded after the presentation and questions, and the subcommittee adjourned without further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Legislation to evaluate and streamline rules and regulations to speed preparedness and recovery from
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 5th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • problem, I think, in adding these types of very difficult situations that actually need the physical evaluation
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services took up two bills. Senator Burgess presented SB 116, the Senate Veterans Package, which would reduce the number of Veterans Hall of Fame nominations, expand FDVA health survey and coordination efforts, add mental health training to the veterans suicide prevention pilot program, fix statutory references, improve coordination between Veterans Florida and FDVA, and require FDVA to develop a plan for adult day health care facilities for veterans and their families. An amendment was adopted to appropriate $300,000 for the suicide prevention training pilot and $50,000 for the health survey. The bill was supported in debate, especially for the adult day care provision, and CS/SB 116 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 294 by Senator Harrell, which would exclude specified cardiac conditions—such as heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac arrhythmias—from the list of chronic health conditions that may be managed under collaborative pharmacy practice agreements. Senator Harrell argued that these complex conditions require direct physician involvement and that pharmacists should not be making medication changes for severe cardiac patients based on protocols alone. Senator Rouson asked why heart conditions had been included previously, and Vice Chair Davis asked about fiscal impact; Harrell said there would be no state cost, though patients might face additional out-of-pocket expenses, which she said could be offset by avoiding more serious complications. Public testimony on SB 294 was divided. The Florida Pharmacy Association opposed the bill, arguing that collaborative practice agreements are voluntary, physician-controlled, and already include safeguards, and that pharmacists are highly trained to help manage chronic conditions and improve access and outcomes. A cardiologist with the Florida Chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, warning that cardiac patients are complex and that pharmacists may make dangerous decisions without the full clinical picture. Senator Burton also supported the bill, saying the original collaborative practice framework was not intended to let pharmacists diagnose or treat serious cardiac disease. SB 294 was then reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, Senators Rodriguez and Garcia asked to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 116, and the committee adjourned without further business.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Governmental Oversight, Select Jun 4th, 2026

Governmental Oversight, Select

Transcript Highlights:
  • .005 notices have been done, and then just getting at this idea of what do local governments do to evaluate
  • been done and then just getting at this idea of, you know, what do local governments do to just evaluate
  • District Courts, Williamson County District Courts, and federal courts as an expert witness on land evaluations
  • We evaluate whether a claim falls within a waiver of immunity.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Tourism and Gaming Working Group (TGWG) - Wed Apr 15, 2026 @ 11:30 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • effectiveness scale to help provide academics and industry members and others with research-based tools to evaluate
  • effectiveness scale to help provide academics and industry members and others with research-based tools to evaluate
  • effectiveness scale to help provide academics and industry members and others with research-based tools to evaluate
  • effectiveness scale to help provide academics and industry members and others with research-based tools to evaluate
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. (3-25-26)

Primary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • emphasize strategic planning, fiscal oversight, monitoring of academic and operational outcomes, and evaluation
  • academic and operational<00:05:10.600> outcomes,<00:05:11.040> and<00:05:11.160> evaluation
  • <00:05:11.720> of operational outcomes, and evaluation of operational outcomes, and evaluation
Keywords: 958, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/17/26

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • The difference here is that, in evaluating whether we could just literally swap out the 55% for the 30%
  • > that The difference here is that The difference here is that um um um in<00:26:07.880> evaluating
  • whether<00:26:09.480> we<00:26:09.640> could<00:26:09.880> just in evaluating
  • whether we could just in evaluating whether we could just literally<00:26:10.760> swap<00:26:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Finance (02/20/2026)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 1311 is another full committee bill establishing a regulatory analysis fund to evaluate the
  • establishing a regulatory analysis fund establishing a regulatory analysis fund to<01:22:48.800> evaluate
  • the<01:22:49.600> economic<01:22:50.159> impact<01:22:50.880> of to evaluate
  • the economic impact of to evaluate the economic impact of proposed<01:22:51.679> rules<01:22:
Keywords: 1189, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • operated at Eastern State Hospital by the University of Kentucky that is essentially an emergency evaluation
  • Kentucky that is essentially an Kentucky that is essentially an emergency<00:06:32.880> evaluation
  • <00:06:33.520> and<00:06:33.759> stabilization emergency evaluation and stabilization
  • emergency evaluation and stabilization unit<00:06:34.960> specifically<00:06:35.680> for
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Health Services Committee heard a presentation from Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, on Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation Program. He said Kentucky received about $213 million in federal funding, among the highest awards nationally, after a fast application and negotiation process. He emphasized that the grant is time-limited, must be used for the specific goals in the state’s application, and cannot be treated as a general bailout or replacement for existing funding. He also noted the state will use a website, ruralhealthplan.ky.gov, to share the full application, award terms, and future opportunities. Dr. Stack outlined five focus areas: maternal health and prenatal/early childhood supports; EMS and trauma response workforce and transfer capacity; behavioral health crisis care through the EMPATH model and mobile crisis services; oral health access through more hygienists, telehealth, and hub-and-spoke models; and rural community hubs for chronic disease prevention and innovation, including food-as-medicine and healthier lifestyle interventions. He stressed that the program is meant to be transformative, not duplicative, and that it cannot pay clinician salaries, fund new construction, replace EMR systems broadly, or duplicate billable services. He said the state will work with community partners, hospitals, universities, and others, including the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to begin implementation. Members responded positively overall. Senator Berg praised the award and the goal of integrating care across the state, but raised concerns about access to prenatal care and about possible future changes to water fluoridation, warning both could harm children and rural families. The chair and other members thanked Dr. Stack for the update and congratulated him on the award. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Legislative Session Day 29 (2-18-26)

Kentucky House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • protect against politically motivated employment decisions and to ensure that our state workers are evaluated
  • our state decisions and to ensure that our state workers<00:50:02.640> are<00:50:02.800> evaluated
  • c><00:50:03.440> on<00:50:03.680> competence,<00:50:04.559> not workers are evaluated
  • on competence, not workers are evaluated on competence, not connections.<00:50:06.079> Policies
Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum of 96 members, excused absent members, and approved the prior journal. The chamber also received Senate messages transmitting Senate Bills 969 and 141. Several bills were reported from committee and placed on the calendar, including measures on on-farm animal health, insurance regulation, crimes and punishments, employment, artificial intelligence, utility fuel adjustments, education, and addictive online platforms. The House then took up and passed Senate Bill 172, which allows the Public Service Commission to spread sudden fuel cost spikes over several months to reduce consumer bill shock. It passed 95-0. House Bill 392, dealing with local public agency transactions and procurement, was amended by committee substitute to remove disputed best-value procurement and residential bidder preference provisions, lower the small purchase threshold increase to $50,000, and add indexing and other local purchasing changes; it passed 97-0. House Bill 529, concerning the parole board, was amended to stagger board terms, allow limited term extensions, authorize panel hearings, and adjust parole review timing; it passed 99-0. House Bill 456, relating to unclaimed property and the state treasurer, was passed 100-0 after adding an unclaimed property awareness week, removing a residency requirement for the treasurer, clarifying mineral royalty reporting, and tightening reporting requirements. The House also passed House Bill 424 on social work licensure, which exempts student interns and trainees, sets supervision standards, updates licensure rules including multi-state licensure, background checks, and telehealth, and requires board representation from social work education; it passed 94-0. House Joint Resolution 50, directing a study of child care regulations and processes by the Auditor of Public Accounts, was adopted 98-0. House Bill 577, modernizing economic development statutes by renaming and updating innovation programs, expanding the Kentucky Enterprise Fund, allowing certain out-of-state companies to qualify if they relocate within 180 days, and broadening angel investor participation, passed 98-0. House Bill 213, reducing the service requirement for rehiring retired police officers from 20 to 15 years and allowing local employers to offer health benefits, passed 98-0. House Bill 58, on privacy protection and automated license plate reader data, was taken up with a committee substitute and floor amendment allowing limited data retention and training use under redactions; the transcript cuts off during explanation of the bill after the amendment was adopted.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations - Room 210; 20 January, 2026: 8:45 AM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, the Corps of Engineers with their Cadillac evaluation and plan says it's an $18.5 million project
  • engineers with their with<00:51:19.440> their<00:51:20.160> Cadillac<00:51:21.440> evaluation
  • <00:51:22.160> and<00:51:22.480> plan with their Cadillac evaluation and plan with
  • their Cadillac evaluation and plan says<00:51:23.200> it's<00:51:23.440> an<00:51:23.680
Summary: The committee heard an update from the Mississippi State Port Authority at the Port of Gulfport on operations, finances, and recent developments. The port emphasized that it is an enterprise agency that does not seek state general fund support, and reported a regional economic impact of $3.8 billion, about $62 million in state and local taxes, and thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The witness highlighted growth in refrigerated cargo, especially efforts to bring more Mississippi poultry through Gulfport, along with continued container traffic and intermodal work. Several major investments and new business lines were discussed. Ports America is required under its lease to invest $43 million, and the port recently received a fourth crane, a $20 million investment that allows two vessels to be worked simultaneously. The port also announced American Cruise Lines stops in Gulfport, which is expected to bring high-end cruise passengers spending time and money locally. Additional updates included growth in technology and blue economy activity at the Roger F. Wicker Center, NOAA’s autonomous vessel operations center, Oceanero’s workforce expansion, and military moves that generated about 70,000 man-hours of local labor. Committee members asked about the FY27 budget, travel, and capital outlay requests. The port said the travel increase was for flexibility and that it spends conservatively, and explained that the larger capital figures reflect a strategic plan and potential private-sector and grant-funded projects rather than expected annual spending. The FY27 request was described as a slight decrease from the prior year, with the main salary increase tied to PERS and health insurance costs, and no special appropriations language was requested. Members also discussed the effort to regain chicken exports through Gulfport, including plans for a future freezer warehouse and the impact of the Kansas City Southern railroad merger, which the port said has had some hiccups but may help in the long run.