Transcript Highlights:

• There is no alternative provider, no competitive bidding environment, no ability for the ...no ability
• Competition makes this possible.
• Okay, that was one that could bid on it.
• Again, I bid on the contract? I did not.
• As the prime sponsor said, it really changes nothing, adds simple ore, and opens up a competitive bidding

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Doing so sometimes gives them a competitive advantage, which does then spur development.
• , because you're saying everybody who wants to be on the bid will be on our website.
• , because you're saying everybody who wants to be on the bid will be on our website.
• bidding, they have to go through, and the bidding is online.
• So for clarification, this only affects oil and gas bidding. It does not affect surface.

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you pay an inflated rate at the bid opening as well, because every contractor, every contractor that's
• power to keep those guys working because if you don't, they're going to go somewhere else to your competition
• power to keep those guys working because if you don't, they're going to go somewhere else to your competition
• They're going to go somewhere else to your competition.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard Senate Bill 916, sponsored by Senator Berger, which would limit certain liability exposure for contractors working on MoDOT projects when they are following approved plans and standards. The sponsor argued the bill aligns responsibility with control, prevents contractors from being sued for conditions they did not create, and stops the state from requiring indemnification as a condition of bidding or starting work. He cited examples of long-running lawsuits arising from highway work zones and said the bill would not protect negligence or defective workmanship. Several supporters testified, including a general contractor, representatives of the Missouri Asphalt Payment Association, the AGC of Missouri, the Missouri Municipal League, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the American Council of Engineering Companies. They said contractors often face lawsuits and higher insurance costs for incidents outside their control, sometimes even before work begins or after a project is complete. The Municipal League also supported language clarifying that naming a public entity as an additional insured does not waive sovereign immunity. MoDOT’s deputy director and chief engineer testified for information, warning the bill could create unintended consequences by bringing the state into litigation during construction if contractor indemnification is removed. After testimony and questions, the committee moved into executive session once a quorum was established. Senate Bill 916 was voted do pass by unanimous roll call, 8 ayes and 0 noes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not simply aim to be competitive. We aim to be elite. That is the standard.
• House Resolution by Representative Dickerson to commend Baron Baker for his achievements in competitive
• By Representative Dickerson to commend Baron Baker for his achievements in competitive weightlifting.
• authorize the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority to use certain contracts, provide for bidding
• House Bill 1207 by Representative Desotel, public bids for public work projects, to prevent public entities

Bills: HR188 , HR189 , HR190 , HR191 , HR179 , HR180 , HR181 , HR182 , HR183 , HR185 , HR186 , HR187 , HCR75 , HCR76 , HCR77 , HCR78 , HCR79 , SCR24 , SCR36 , SCR39 , SB64 , SB107 , SB152 , SB185 , SB217 , SB232 , SB278 , SB290 , SB294 , SB320 , SB321 , SB419 , SB424 , SB436 , SB440 , SB468 , SB470 , SB476 , SB482 , SB489 , HCR32 , SCR11 , HB12 , HB42 , HB205 , HB222 , HB267 , HB324 , HB325 , HB350 , HB478 , HB610 , HB617 , HB679 , HB745 , HB749 , HB797 , HB807 , HB821 , HB896 , HB979 , HB992 , HB1000 , HB1024 , HB1050 , HB1166 , HB1172 , HB1173 , HB1193 , HB1207 , HB1218 , HB1223 , SB256 , SB180 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HCR4 , HCR47 , HB59 , HB74 , HB159 , HB330 , HB364 , HB414 , HB458 , HB525 , HB568 , HB786 , HB1008 , HB1033 , HB1034 , HB1041 , HB1062 , HB1070 , HB1079 , HB1112 , HB1118 , HB1139 , HB1151 , HB1176 , HB1182 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB368 , HB433 , HB441 , HB447 , HB466 , HB481 , HB741 , HB1242 , HB362 , HB893 , HB990 , HB1007 , HB1153 , HB1243 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , SB127 , SB244 , HB615 , HB864 , HB1103 , HB1175 , HB31 , HB225 , HB608 , HB664 , HB897 , HB977 , HB1003 , HB1160 , HB1180 , HB911 , HB306 , HB366 , HB1161 , HB1230 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB284 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB772 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1058 , HB1082 , HB1113 , HB1189 , HB1234 , HB1240

Keywords: hunting dogs, field trials, working dogs, dog training, greyhound protection, Farm Bill, federal overreach, sportsmen, sportswomen, wildlife management, conservation, rural communities, Louisiana hunting, hunting tradition, animal welfare, dog breeders, dog owners, outdoor recreation, Kathy Taylor, musical achievements

Transcript Highlights:

• So the initial bids out were there was no responsive bid. So we are having to pay more.
• There were no responsive bids.
• And so we have to be competitive. So I understand that.
• And then people are already leaving the state workforce because the state is not competitive in a lot
• And so it's important that we continue to fund it so that California continues to be competitive in this

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal here is seeing New Mexico competitive with surrounding states, give site selectors clarity,
• I have been before the Water Trust Board in competition with the whole state of New Mexico to try to
• I have been before the Water Trust Board in competition with the whole state of New Mexico to try to
• difficult for very rural communities like the tribes that I represent to get a sufficient number of bids
• So getting the number of bids necessary to make a good decision on a project is often difficult.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Or we face stiff competition with many other entities who try to take advantage of public land dispositions
• Or we face stiff competition with many other entities who try to take advantage of public land dispositions
• the properties that have already gone through the foreclosure or the auction process, and no one has bid
• the minimum bid.
• And with that as a reality, we need to move from just one site being identified, competition driving

Summary: The committee heard public hearing testimony on House Bill 2265, which would expand tenant protections during extreme heat. Staff explained that the bill would bar landlords from restricting portable cooling devices, require written notice of tenant rights and landlord immunity for tenant-installed devices, add a cooling duty under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act, and prohibit sheriffs from physically evicting tenants during defined extreme heat periods. Representative Mena said the bill responds to the 2021 heat dome and is intended to address a gap in housing law, while committee members and the sponsor discussed unresolved questions about what “reasonably required” cooling means, how the eviction pause would work, and whether the bill could raise rents or create liability and operational burdens for landlords. Supporters, including climate, public health, tenant, and clean energy advocates, said extreme heat is a growing health threat and that renters need a right to cooling; opponents from multifamily housing, property management, and rental housing groups argued the bill is too vague, could effectively mandate costly cooling upgrades, create safety and insurance issues, and complicate eviction enforcement. The hearing also included testimony from landlords and housing providers who said the bill should be narrowed or amended, and from tenants and advocates who said it does not go far enough because it mostly permits tenant-installed cooling rather than requiring landlords to provide it. The committee then heard House Bill 1974, a proposed substitute authorizing land banks. Staff described the bill as allowing public corporations, housing authorities, and nonprofit corporations to acquire, hold, improve, lease, transfer, or dispose of property for affordable housing, with 30-year affordability requirements, annual reporting, tax exemptions, and priority transfer of certain tax-foreclosed properties. Vice Chair Hill said the bill was scaled back from earlier versions and is meant to create a flexible tool for turning difficult parcels into housing-ready land aligned with local housing plans. Testifiers from the Spokane Regional Land Bank, housing authorities, developers, youth shelter providers, and housing advocates supported the bill as a way to lower land costs, clear title issues, reduce displacement, and create a pipeline of permanently affordable housing. A counties representative also supported the concept but said they would like the grant program restored. One committee member raised a question about whether the tax-foreclosed property language could bypass the normal surplus distribution process, and staff said the provision is placed in the chapter governing properties that have already gone through foreclosure and auction, though the wording may need further review. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 2452, which would change how rent increase notices are served. Staff said the bill would remove the current requirement that rent increase notices be served like unlawful detainer notices and instead allow service by personal delivery, mail, or posting on the dwelling unit, with service by mail complete when deposited in the mail; the manufactured home version would follow the general notice rules under that act. Representative Connors said the bill responds to problems created when prior legislation required certified mail, which she said has led to tenants not receiving notices and housing providers facing higher costs and administrative burdens. Housing provider and industry witnesses supported the bill, saying certified mail is expensive, inefficient, and often not actually received, while tenant advocates opposed it, arguing that mail-only service weakens notice protections and can cause missed rent increases and displacement; they urged the committee to preserve stronger in-person or posting requirements. Some witnesses also suggested broader changes, including electronic notice, while others said the bill should be expanded to fix certified mail requirements for more than just rent increase notices.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we face increasing challenges ranging from competitive advantages in transportation logistics
• a stable source of pathogen-free citrus budwood and nursery stock, the industry remains highly competitive
• Those forest landowners aren't able to get a good competitive bid on their crop that they have. because
• labor costs continue to pressure small and mid-sized operations, making it difficult to maintain competitive
• Often that work is done lowest bid.

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1623 strengthens and preserves a competitive state charter, the first time it's been updated
• that mirror state pecard programs and dictates that all county pecard purchases remain subject to competitive
• bidding emergency declaration and purchase order procedures in 19 Section 505 unless that procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• While we don't know competitive grants.
• Now, I know I'm competitive basis.
• </c> achieve competition based on that scope. achieve competition based on that scope. where<00:55:09.920
• ><c> we</c><00:55:10.400><c> cannot</c><00:55:11.359><c> achieve</c><00:55:11.920><c> competition</c>
• where we cannot achieve competition where we cannot achieve competition based<00:55:13.040><c> on</c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• We offer competitive interest rates, ranging from two to four percent.
• There's increasing competition to have access to clinical training sites with rotations required for
• Our funding is awarded competitively, and our scoring criteria are designed to ensure that we are training
• So it's an exemption from the existing bidding process that would normally apply.
• The question, I think, would be out of the other people that The other companies that submitted bids,

Transcript Highlights:

• Allain is a resolution urging the United States Navy to expeditiously execute a transparent and competitive
• as a resolution urgent request the United States Navy to expeditiously execute a transparent and competitive

Bills: SR125 , SCR70 , SCR12 , HB4 , HB251 , HB623 , HB819 , HB944 , HB986 , HB1098 , HB1222 , HB1257 , HB221 , HCR58 , SCR22 , SCR24 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB14 , SB102 , SB133 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB200 , SB217 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB330 , SB449 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB274 , SB304 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB436 , SB424 , SCR61 , SCR9 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR31 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , HB54 , HB137 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB321 , HB396 , HB512 , HB552 , HB578 , HB638 , HB663 , HB708 , HB717 , HB718 , HB1009 , HB1082 , HB1104 , HB1107 , HB1198 , HB1246 , HB1250 , HB17 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB354 , HB399 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759 , HB789 , HB844 , HB850 , HB966 , HB1036 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782

Keywords: SR125, Senate Resolution 125, MUSV, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel, MASC, Modular Attack Surface Craft, Conrad Shipyard, Morgan City, Louisiana shipbuilding, U.S. Navy, Department of the Navy, unmanned naval vessels, autonomous ships, defense procurement, military contracting, shipyard jobs, maritime workforce, advanced manufacturing, robotics, software engineering

Transcript Highlights:

• resolution to urgently request the United States Navy to expeditiously execute a transparent and competitive
• We should draw maps that reflect confidence in democracy rather than fear of competition.

Bills: SR122 , SR123 , SR124 , SCR12 , HB940 , HB221 , HCR109 , HCR58 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB909 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB938 , HB971 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , SB121 , SCR22 , SCR24 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB14 , SB102 , SB133 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB200 , SB217 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB330 , SB449 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB274 , SB304 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB436 , SB424 , SCR61 , SCR9 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR31 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , HB17 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB354 , HB399 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759 , HB789 , HB844 , HB850 , HB966 , HB1036 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782

Keywords: SR122, Senate Resolution 122, Metairie Park Country Day School, Country Day Cajuns, Cajuns basketball, LHSAA, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Division III Select, boys basketball, state championship, high school sports, athletic commendation, sports resolution, Lake Charles, Marsh Madness, Mike McGuire, Brennan White, Kellen Brewer, Calvary Baptist Academy, school recognition

Transcript Highlights:

• Our district recently went through the healthcare bidding process.
• <00:50:59.160><c> among</c><00:50:59.440><c> the</c><00:50:59.560><c> insurance</c> competition among
• I serve on our labor management committee that is in charge of seeking those bids on insurance.
• </c><01:01:07.000><c> I</c><01:01:07.080><c> could</c> seeking those bids on insurance.
• I could seeking those bids on insurance.

Bills: HF3119

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• annual county audits, the requirement that surplus properties be prioritized for land banks, and the competitive
• Or we face stiff competition with many other entities who try to take advantage of public land dispositions
• the properties that have already gone through the foreclosure or the auction process, and no one has bid
• the minimum bid.
• And with that as a reality, we need to move from just one site being identified, competition driving

Bills: HB1974 , HB2265 , HB2452

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, this bill would provide five-year competitive grants administered by the Department of
• Specifically, this bill would provide five-year competitive grants administered by the Department of
• Are we able to talk about this in a way that is equitable in that competitive grant process?
• As it stands, if a school wants a 3D printer, they would have to bid against all other state agencies
• If a school wants a 3D printer, they would have to bid against all other state agencies, departments,

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• At MIC, our students have a 95 percent competitive employment rate, with a strong average job retention
• To the testifier, you talked about your 95 percent competitive rate.
• Because of this, I have been turning down work, unable to bid on jobs that come across my desk.
• on jobs that come across unable to bid on jobs that come across my<01:12:55.280><c> desk.
• Um, and we have them be competitive.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s, you know, some collaboration and/or competition within the system itself.
• It's going to go out hopefully soon to bid here, and this is going to become a reality very quickly.
• I appreciate your analysis about the competition for employees out west.
• I'm in the cash flow timing, and I know it's complex on how you bid that out.
• But is the concept, if you bid it out, that— And how do you bid that out?

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• and rescue squads are exempted from the state procurement code, but they're subject to the local competitive
• bid law.

Bills: SB197 , HB140 , SB214 , HB214 , HB147 , HB270 , SB73

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: food trucks, mobile vendors, health inspection, fire safety, state law, regulation, food service, business license, subdivision, transfer of land, immediate family, exemption period, county regulations, Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act, tourism rebate, tax rebate, sales tax rebate, lodging tax rebate, transactional taxes, tourism development

Transcript Highlights:

• higher prices and drive up competition, where we've seen 46.6% higher than, uh, purchases that are higher
• higher prices and drive up competition, where we've seen 46.6% higher than, uh, purchases that are higher
• <01:12:09.159><c> higher</c><01:12:09.440><c> incomes</c><01:12:09.880><c> and</c><01:12:10.040><c> bid
• </c><01:12:10.280><c> higher</c> have higher incomes and bid higher have higher incomes and bid higher
• </c><01:12:12.639><c> where</c> prices and drive up competition where prices and drive up competition

Summary: The joint Housing and Public Safety/Water and Land hearing first took up HB 1096, which would repeal statutory tenant-selection preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in state low-income housing. HPHA testified in support, saying the change was a housekeeping measure because the same preferences already exist in administrative rules and could be adjusted later to align with other local preferences, while also noting the federal VASH program provides stronger veteran housing support. Several members questioned why the preference should be removed at all, emphasizing that veterans have long been underserved and asking for a stronger justification; the committees ultimately deferred HB 1096. The later Housing/Hawaiian Affairs agenda heard HB 606 HD1, a measure to extend Act 279 funding and related exemptions for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Supporters argued the bill would give DHHL more time to use the $600 million appropriation to acquire land, work with developers, and address a wait list of about 29,000 applicants, while also helping restore Hawaiian communities and reduce the Hawaiian diaspora. Opponents focused on accountability and oversight, saying DHHL needs clearer plans, measurable goals, and stronger safeguards before receiving more money, and warning that prior spending and strategic-plan changes had reduced the number of applicants served. The committee also heard testimony that the bill would help DHHL fulfill long-standing obligations to Native Hawaiians and that the housing need affects the broader state, not only Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries.