Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, that's lower down on line 61, uh, City of Moorhead, and uh Rice Creek on line 63.
• </c> Rice Creek on line 63. Rice Creek on line 63.
• For lead service line million.
• I won't go through every line, but lines 1 through 25 are the base debt service amounts.
• ,</c><00:27:03.480><c> but</c><00:27:03.680><c> lines</c> I won't go through every line, but lines I

Summary: The committee took up a large bonding bill and reviewed the final spreadsheet of capital investments. Chairs and members repeatedly thanked staff, House and Senate negotiators, and the Governor’s team for a collaborative process. The bill was described as a statewide package rather than a partisan one, with major funding for higher education asset preservation, DNR projects, public safety, transportation, the Met Council, veterans facilities, corrections, DEED/local projects, and a large water infrastructure section. House Fiscal staff and Senate fiscal staff walked through the bill line by line. Highlights included University of Minnesota and Minnesota State asset preservation, education and language immersion school funding, DNR trail and flood mitigation projects, public safety facilities, local road and bridge grants, Met Council parks and I/I grants, veterans home and armory funding, corrections projects including the Faribault vocational expansion, and many local economic development and public facility projects across Greater Minnesota and the metro. The bill also included Public Facilities Authority water and wastewater grants, housing rehabilitation funding, historical society grants, a Minnesota Zoo operating transfer, airport appropriations, and several cancellations of prior appropriations to help finance the package. Members generally praised the bill and the bipartisan work behind it. Some Republicans emphasized the one-time license fee reduction and affordability, while also saying DEED’s business development infrastructure funding was too low. Senator Nelson highlighted long-awaited transportation projects such as Highway 14 and township roads. Senator Dibble supported the transportation investments but criticized the bill for having no transit funding, calling that a major omission. No vote was recorded in the excerpt, but the discussion centered on final review and support for moving the bonding bill forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> announcement that American Cruise Lines announcement that American Cruise Lines uh<00:04:33.360>
• </c> the Viking uh cruise lines in in Europe. the Viking uh cruise lines in in Europe.
• </c> have their water and sewer rates raised. have their water and sewer rates raised.
• We're our sewer our infrastructure.
• </c><00:28:27.440><c> And</c> bill, my sewer bill has gone up. And bill, my sewer bill has gone up.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Housley moves to amend House File 1058 as follows: Page 3, after line 21, insert.
• Senator Housley moves to amend House File 1058 as follows: Page 3, after line 21, insert.
• Um, the East Koochiching is a district governed by the Koochiching County and has had sewer expansions
• in both 2007 and 2018, doubling its sewer hookups.
• district, uh, making the North sewer district, uh, making the North Cooch<01:12:23.440><c> Sanitary<

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, for some of the fees where we are directly in the line, so the regional water quality control
• board says to your city you have to upgrade your sewer plant.
• So then we require that you adopt a sewer master plan.
• So then we require that you adopt a sewer master plan.
• It's all come. the abstract, should our sewer fee be $10,000 for a cookup or $11,000?

Committee: Senate Housing

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing heard two substantive housing bills and two consent items. SB 1116 by Senator Caballero would update the Starter Home Revitalization Act (SB 684) by clarifying development standards for small infill housing, reinforcing ministerial approval and timelines, improving state oversight and reporting, updating subdivision rules, and addressing private restrictions such as HOA or deed provisions that can block housing. The author and supporters, including California YIMBY and a small developer, said the bill responds to implementation problems and would help produce more starter homes; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally supported the measure but noted concerns about local implementation and the broader impact-fee/infrastructure context. SB 1117 by Senator Cervantes would clarify ADU fee law so local governments assess impact fees only on the portion of an ADU above 750 square feet, rather than on the full unit, while keeping the existing 750-square-foot exemption intact. Supporters argued the current fee structure discourages larger ADUs and creates a sharp production drop above 750 square feet; a homeowner witness said fees on an 800-square-foot ADU would have exceeded construction costs. Local government and fire-related organizations opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing impact fees fund essential infrastructure and services and should remain tied to nexus studies. Several senators said the bill was narrowly tailored but emphasized the need to address broader infrastructure financing. The committee also took up consent items SB 1267 by Senator Allen and SB 1426, the committee omnibus bill. After the committee obtained a quorum and later reconvened, it approved the consent calendar 10-0, SB 1117 10-0, and SB 1116 8-0. All measures were ordered out to the Senate Local Government Committee, and the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, for some of the fees, we are directly in the line.
• The regional water quality control board says to your city you have to upgrade your sewer plant.
• So then we require that you adopt a sewer master plan.
• So then we require that you adopt a sewer master plan.
• It's all come. the abstract, should our sewer fee be $10,000 for a cookup or $11,000?

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1024, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Water and Sewer Resources Authority to provide
• sewer services to a certain parcel of land in the town of Sharon.
• House Bill 1024, an act authorizing the Massachusetts Water and Sewer Resources Authority to provide
• sewer services to a certain parcel of land in the town of Sharon.
• sewer services to a certain parcel of land in the town of Sharon.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred with a Senate referral of a petition by Joan B. Lovely to study discrimination in public accommodations for individuals with service animals, sending it to the Committee on Consumer, Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. The chamber also suspended Joint Rule 12 for two petitions by Adam J. Scanlon: one asking CHIA to analyze eliminating or capping copays for mental and behavioral health services, and another concerning no-cost calls for incarcerated individuals, referring them to the appropriate committees. The House then took up a slate of bills recommended by the Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee and, after suspending Rule 7A, ordered several to third reading. These included Marnie’s Law on inflammatory breast cancer awareness in nursing education, Haverhill election bills, a New Salem election validation bill, Plymouth charter and digital legal notice bills, a Nantucket charter gender-neutrality bill, and a Nantucket land conveyance bill. The House also separately suspended Rule 7A for House Bill 2614 on medical parole and ordered it to third reading. On final passage, the House passed House Bill 4249 on vital statistics to be reenacted, adopted emergency preambles for House Bill 3388 designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day and for House Bill 1024 concerning sewer service in Sharon, and passed House Bill 23/Senate Bill 23 on alternate members to the Squabskine Conservation Commission. The House also engrossed Senate Bill 1830 on continued employment for Herbert A. Chafee II in Brookfield, House Bill 4109 on harbor line changes in New Bedford Harbor, and House Bill 4524 renaming Williamsburg’s Board of Selectmen as the Select Board. The session ended with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House standing adjourned to meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can understand whether the extension of a sewer line is going to serve a large area or if it's really
• The real intent there is to tie the timing of our capital projects, extension of water and sewer, so
• The real intent there is to tie the timing of our capital projects, extension of water and sewer, so
• The sewers and septic tanks and water lines get put in as development occurs.
• Well, I wanted to throw something out, big picture, and I may be out of line, I'm not sure.

Summary: The committee heard first from Ferndale city officials and a representative of FutureWise on annexation planning. Ferndale described its “annexation blueprint” or phased annexation plan as a way to tie urban growth area planning, capital facilities, and eventual annexation together earlier in the process. Speakers argued that counties often allow incremental development in urban growth areas without city-level standards, impact fees, or coordinated infrastructure planning, which can leave cities and taxpayers with higher future costs and make annexation less likely. Members raised questions about fire districts, county revenue loss, and whether annexation incentives or interlocal revenue-sharing agreements could help. FutureWise supported requiring annexation phasing in countywide planning policies, using pre-annexation agreements, and applying city standards in urban growth areas to make annexation more predictable and less contentious. The committee then received a primer and update from the State Building Code Council (SBCC). Staff explained the council’s composition, standing committees, technical advisory groups, and rulemaking process, including normal, expedited, and emergency rulemaking. They described the ongoing 2024 code cycle and the separate work underway on Senate Bill 5491 and related legislation concerning single-stair residential buildings and multiplex housing. Members discussed how the legislature can better direct the SBCC, the difference between prescriptive and performance-based code approaches, and the importance of involving technical experts early. The SBCC also addressed concerns about the wildfire urban interface code, noting that problems arose when code language and maps were developed on different timelines and applied to urban areas in ways that were not anticipated. Several members asked about regional differences, especially energy code impacts in eastern Washington and the role of natural gas. SBCC representatives said the council can use climate zones and appendices for some regional variation, but statewide statutory targets still constrain the energy code. They emphasized that the council is largely reactive to legislative direction and public proposals, and that clearer legislative intent would help avoid ambiguity in future code development. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's how we're going to put in the sewer.
• It's how we're going to put in the sewer.
• Many of our rural communities have challenges with water and sewer, primarily.
• Like, you can't expand the sewer system by utilizing CERNA funds.
• We work with these communities to address their water and sewer needs.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is a sewer grant consisting of a reallocation from the county allocation pool.
• The first one is a sewer grant consisting of a reallocation from the county allocation pool.
• </c> naturally that's pretty much in line naturally that's pretty much in line with<00:38:02.240><c>
• Please continue with the line items requiring no action. Representative Thomas, hi.
• line items requiring no<00:39:46.240><c> action.

Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including a quorum call, approval of the April minutes, and several informational reports. Those information items covered upcoming general obligation debt for Bullitt, Jefferson, and Warren counties; Kentucky Communications Network Authority updates tied to House Bill 6; Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation reallocations under House Bill 1; and School Facilities Construction Commission debt activity, including 20 prior debt issues totaling about $386 million with roughly 85% locally supported debt service and 15% SFCC participation. Members then discussed concerns about a Kentucky Communications Network Authority project, focusing on a reported discrepancy between an appropriation of $12.927 million and an apparent payment of about $8.532 million on a project with a cost estimate of $12.449 million. Several members asked for more detailed written information before the next Capital Projects meeting, noting that a lawsuit is pending and that they wanted to better understand the basis for the request and the spending to date. The committee also heard and unanimously approved a donor-funded Northern Kentucky University project to renovate tennis courts, with possible pickleball additions, after questions about why approval was needed, the project’s estimated $3 million cost, and its expected minimal ongoing operating costs. The committee next received Kentucky State University pool allocation reports for three projects: a $2 million McCullen Hall renovation, a $1.75 million walkway and miscellaneous repairs project, and a $2 million academic services building roof-and-window project. A member asked specifically about curb cuts and accessibility in the walkway project, and Kentucky State said existing curb cuts would be repaired and additional accessibility issues would be reviewed by engineers. The lease report from the Finance and Administration Cabinet included one lease modification requiring approval for the Attorney General’s office in Franklin County and one no-action modification for the Board of Cosmetology; the Attorney General lease was approved by roll call vote. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented five loans and 37 grants, with action taken on the loan and grant items. The loans included a Hodgenville wastewater treatment plant increase, a Grant County sewer district treatment plant loan, a Mount Sterling dam rehabilitation loan, and two Morganfield drinking water loans for granular activated carbon treatment, one with full principal forgiveness. Members asked about the Morganfield project’s purpose and were told it was a remediation effort for a water-quality concern, and they also raised questions about engineering fees, which KIA said are compared against a U.S. Rural Development fee schedule that is industry accepted. The committee also reviewed cleaner water program grant reallocations from county allocation pools.

Transcript Highlights:

• You could also have underground telecom as well, water and sewer.
• You could also have underground telecom as well, water and sewer.
• Those are called green lines. We provide those green lines.
• lines are.
• lines are.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and first heard HB 11 from Representative Robinson. The bill would address an unintended consequence in Florida’s municipal utility surcharge law by requiring the same water/utility rate for residents when a utility facility is physically located within one municipality but owned by another, rather than allowing the owning municipality to impose a 25% surcharge. The sponsor and several members described it as a fairness issue affecting residents who do not receive local tax support for the facility but still bear the surcharge. Public testimony included support from AARP and Miami-Dade County and opposition from North Miami Beach. The bill was reported favorably on an 18-0 vote. The committee then held a panel discussion on utility use of public rights-of-way and utility relocation. Panelists from FDOT, county government, gas, water, electric, and communications sectors described the permitting process, noting that FDOT uses a detailed utility accommodation manual and that local governments may use permits, franchise agreements, or ordinances depending on the utility type. They emphasized that utilities often must coordinate early with agencies using long-range work programs and project plans, and that the process differs by utility and jurisdiction. Communications witnesses discussed Chapter 337 and the 60-day local permitting shot clock, while others noted the role of Sunshine State One Call in locating facilities before excavation. A major focus was who pays for relocations when road or infrastructure projects require utilities to move. FDOT and several panelists said utilities generally bear the cost when they are in public right-of-way, with exceptions such as certain interstate/interchange projects and easement impacts. Utility representatives said relocations are often effectively new builds, can be costly, and are ultimately reflected in rates or customer costs. Members also asked about easements versus right-of-way, damage and disputes during construction, broadband workforce needs, and whether legislation could improve coordination. Panelists largely said the existing process works best when agencies, contractors, and utilities communicate early and continuously, and that more legislation may not be necessary compared with better planning, staffing, and use of technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, yes, we have to draw a line somewhere. I don't think they drew it in the right place.
• You still have to put sewer in, still have to...
• You still have to put sewer in, still have to put water in, electricity, right?
• You still have to put sewer in, still have to, Is there any material difference between the two?
• You still have to put sewer in, still have to put water in, electricity, right?

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency held a public hearing on House Bill 2809, sponsored by Representative Knight, which would exempt long-term RV campground stays of 30 consecutive days or more from state and local sales tax. Knight said the bill responds to a Department of Revenue ruling and is intended to treat long-term RV site rentals more like other long-term lodging, noting that many full-time RV users are effectively living in their units. Committee members asked about the tax treatment, the fiscal impact, and whether the bill was aimed at camping and campground stays generally; Knight and witnesses said the issue has created confusion for campground operators and customers. Supporters included the Missouri Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Associated Industries of Missouri, and the Missouri Canoe and Floaters Association. They argued the Department of Revenue’s rulings have been inconsistent and have sometimes labeled campgrounds as places of amusement or recreation based on amenities or activities such as cornhole, karaoke, or nearby trails, leading to surprise tax bills and competitive disadvantages for some operators. Witnesses said a legislative fix is needed, that campgrounds operate on thin margins, and that the change would help Missouri remain competitive with other states. They also said long-term RV guests, including travel nurses and workers staying near Fort Leonard Wood, would benefit from the exemption. Committee members largely expressed support and frustration with the Department of Revenue’s interpretation, comparing campground sites to other long-term rentals and noting the lack of a clear standard. No one testified in opposition. The hearing concluded without a vote or other action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the movement of the harbor line will enable that reconstruction.
• Those were licensed through Chapter 91 licensing right up to the harbor line.
• So the request is for that 10-foot offset to the harbor line.
• Gordon Carr just talked about it earlier on moving the harbor line.
• It says I'm center line, right?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to environmental, natural resources, and maritime issues. Representative Markey testified in support of H. 1000, which would create a commission to study financing wastewater infrastructure, especially in southeastern Massachusetts and the South Shore, citing combined sewer overflows and impacts on aquaculture. Members agreed the core challenge is finding long-term financing for wastewater solutions. The committee also heard testimony on H. 902 to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation, with supporters describing its role in expanding access, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping grow the outdoor economy. Related testimony also supported H. 986, which would codify the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access within the Department of Fish and Game, with witnesses emphasizing habitat restoration, flood reduction, public access, and boating/fishing opportunities. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 901/S. 597, “An Act Providing Nature for All,” which would dedicate existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to a new conservation fund. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Trust for Public Land, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and conservation groups argued the bill would provide a sustainable revenue stream for land conservation, parks, trails, wetlands, water protection, and climate resilience, while also advancing environmental justice and outdoor recreation. They said the state needs roughly $300 million more per year to meet land conservation goals and that the bill could generate about $100 million annually without raising taxes. Committee members asked about balancing conservation with housing and development, and witnesses said the goals are compatible and that the bill includes safeguards. Witnesses also noted similar funding models in other states. The hearing also included H. 1053, a bill to create a Merrimack River Collaborative. Regional planning and watershed advocates said the river faces bacterial contamination, heavy metals, combined sewer overflows, and other pollution, and that a formal collaborative would help coordinate municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits across the watershed and possibly across state lines. Another bill, H. 4109, would relocate harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor to allow reconstruction of deteriorating bulkheads at a waterfront industrial site; the New Bedford Port Authority, engineers, and the property owner said the change is needed for permitting and would support port modernization and jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on S. 641 regarding marine pilotage in New Bedford. Supporters argued the bill would remove a District 3 pilotage restriction and improve port flexibility and offshore wind operations, while opponents warned it would undermine the state’s compulsory pilotage system, weaken safety, and allow ship owners to shop for pilots. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• and water and then 50 ft if you're sewer and water and then 50 ft if you're on<00:16:48.560><c> sewer
• So throwing 75 ft in on sewer and water.
• One of the fears we heard was about water and sewer capacity.
• One of the fears we heard was about water and sewer capacity.
• I'm happy to discuss further. lines. Um, so this rearticulates that lines.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Did that encompass just public sanitary sewer systems? Did it include large on-site septic systems?
• Did that encompass just public sanitary sewer systems? Did it include large on-site septic systems?
• to a LAMRD... ...compelling growth management reasons to discourage pulling a septic line to a LAMRD
• system; in urban counties you can only build on a sewer system.
• In addition, so it's kind of like a mini sewer.

Bills: HB2304 , HB2664

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: condominium, housing, warranty, property rights, construction, HB 2664, unlawful detainer, eviction notice, landlord-tenant, tenant rights, service of process, certified mail, notice by mail, notice posting, possession action, vacate notice, Washington RCW 59.12, housing law, rental housing, forcible entry and detainer

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> connection so the the main water line connection so the the main water line down<00:58:35.839><c
• That places projects in line to receive Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing.
• That places projects in line to receive Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing.
• That places projects in line to receive Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing.
• </c> example as they're bypassing or um sewer example as they're bypassing or um sewer overflows<01:05

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• line.
• </c> would be primed for additional uh sewer would be primed for additional uh sewer lines<00:45:23.760
• Page two, lines 26 through 29.
• Uh, can you describe for me, on the first page, line 14... ...the last, yeah, line 14.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Well, small space, long lines. &gt;&gt; Well, small space, long lines.

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• It's how we're going to put in the sewer.
• It's how we're going to put in the sewer.
• The primary consideration for new sites is water and sewer infrastructure.
• Like, you can't expand the sewer system by utilizing CERNA funds.
• We work with these communities to address their water and sewer needs.

Summary: The committee held an outcomes review hearing on AB 457 and related farmworker and rural housing policy, with members and witnesses discussing whether recent streamlining laws are actually increasing production. Chair Haney, Assembly Members Soria and Pellerin, and others described the purpose of AB 457 and its predecessor bills AB 1783 and AB 3035: to make farmworker housing easier to build through ministerial approval and other reforms. Witnesses emphasized that farmworkers face severe overcrowding, high rents, long commutes, and limited access to housing in both rural and coastal agricultural regions. The first panel focused on practical barriers and local models. Napa County described its county-owned farmworker centers, which provide nightly lodging, meals, and services, funded by lodger fees, a grower assessment, and state support. Testimony stressed that these centers function as navigation hubs rather than permanent housing, and that stable, inflation-adjusted operating funding, language access, transportation, and local set-asides are critical. United Farm Workers urged that local farmworkers be prioritized over H-2A workers and warned against displacing long-term resident workers. Several witnesses said the biggest barriers remain infrastructure, land costs, local opposition, and insufficient subsidy rather than approval streamlining alone. The second and third panels addressed AB 457’s implementation and broader state funding issues. Santa Clara County said the bill could help on a county-owned Gilroy site, but financing remains the main obstacle. Self-Help Enterprises said AB 457’s expanded geography and project-size rules may help future sites, but rural projects still struggle with water, sewer, and environmental review costs, and with the state’s Super NOFA process, which tends to favor deeper-income projects that do not match farmworker household incomes. HCD reported that CERNA and other programs have increased farmworker housing production in recent years, but witnesses argued that rural regions still receive too little funding, that infrastructure dollars are too fragmented, and that more rural-specific set-asides, local funding incentives, and predictable allocations are needed. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• also included some additional protections prohibiting new septic tanks in BMAP areas where central sewer
• If central sewer is not available, instead of using traditional septic tanks, new septic systems are
• is available or if central sewer is not available instead of using traditional septic tanks requiring
• And that dashed line is the TMDL for that Wauola Springs.
• We have $1.1 billion in there, and if they come to you with septic to sewer, or they say we've got a

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results. The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends. Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• on an affordable lending product across that line.
• They don't offer their own sewer plant and what have you.
• So if you have to do a master plan for your sewer plant, and your sewer plant has to grow because another
• You’ve got to line up $5 over here, and this will change over there.
• I'm here to add some humanity to a very necessary line item.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ability to use some of the uh sewer ability to use some of the uh sewer capacity<01:11:13.679><c
• of that sewer plant such that it would be on our lands, but we would use effluent from this new sewer
• of that sewer plant such that it would be on our lands, but we would use effluent from this new sewer
• plan, so we abandoned the sewer treatment plan.
• plan, so we abandoned the sewer treatment plan.

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Hawaiian Affairs committee heard a budget presentation from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on its biennium requests for critical projects, repairs and maintenance, and operations. DHHL described its role in administering the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust, noted the large beneficiary wait list, and said prior funding, including Act 279, has helped the department accelerate land development and reduce vacancies. Officials said they have about 47,219 applications involving 29,548 Native Hawaiians, roughly 28 projects underway, and that about $471 million of a $600 million appropriation has been encumbered, with the remaining lapse-fix funds expected to be resolved before the June 30, 2026 deadline. DHHL emphasized that its current request would support additional lot development and could help produce roughly 6,000 units from the existing project pipeline, with another phase of requests potentially adding about 2,000 more units. The department said it is prioritizing shovel-ready projects, accelerating lease awards and orientations, and using a mix of approaches including paper leases, rental-with-option-to-purchase, owner-builder, and loan programs. Officials also discussed a shift toward denser urban development, citing projects in West Oahu and Honolulu, and said the department is working to reduce its vacancy rate and move beneficiaries onto the land more quickly. Members questioned why Oahu, despite having the largest wait list, was receiving comparatively lower amounts, and DHHL responded that land availability and cost drive those decisions, with Oahu having limited developable land and very high acquisition costs. The department pointed to land acquisition on Kauai and other islands, and to urban high-rise projects that can yield far more units on small parcels. Members also raised long-term maintenance and wildfire risk, asking whether current acquisition and development choices account for future infrastructure costs; DHHL said maintenance is a growing concern, especially on large unused or isolated lands, and that it is pursuing Firewise planning, federal funds, and partnerships to reduce risk. The discussion also touched on mixed-use and community-led development, with DHHL explaining that it leases land to nonprofit homestead associations under general leases with milestones, business-plan requirements, and land-use restrictions to support local services and community goals.