Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR137

Introduced
3/16/26  
Refer
3/18/26  
Report Pass
4/2/26  

Caption

Urging The Insurance Division Of The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Identify Feasible Options And Mechanisms To Protect The State And Its Residents Against The Effects Of Climate Change On The Availability And Affordability Of Insurance.

Impact

The establishment of this working group is intended to assess how extreme weather events, intensified by climate change, affect insurance costs and availability in Hawaii. The bill stipulates that the group will evaluate current recovery mechanisms available for residents and assess legal avenues to hold responsible parties, particularly large fossil fuel companies, accountable for their role in climate change. The findings are expected to inform potential legislation to alleviate the burden on taxpayers and policyholders afflicted by escalating insurance costs driven by climate factors.

Summary

House Resolution 137 urges the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in Hawaii to convene a working group to explore options and mechanisms to protect residents against the impacts of climate change on insurance availability and affordability. The resolution highlights the increasing threat of climate disasters that undermine the property and casualty insurance market, leading to higher premiums and nonrenewals, which in turn threatens the financial health of Hawaii's residents. This plea comes in light of various local and national discussions about the ongoing challenges faced by insurance providers due to climate-related events.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HR137 appears to be constructive, with a bipartisan acknowledgment of the urgent need to address the vulnerabilities presented by climate change. Supporters emphasize the necessity of proactive measures to stabilize the insurance market and ensure that residents maintain access to affordable insurance as climate-related risks continue to evolve. However, there is an underlying tension as discussions regarding accountability for fossil fuel companies serve as a focal point of contention, hinting at broader accountability issues linked to climate change.

Contention

A notable point of contention lies in the identification of responsible parties for climate crises. The resolution hints at previous legal actions taken against major fossil fuel companies, advocating for similar approaches in Hawaii to recoup costs associated with climate disasters. The resolution's implications on holding businesses accountable for environmental damages suggest a potentially contentious legal landscape as lawmakers navigate the intersection of corporate responsibility and environmental challenges.

Companion Bills

HI HCR145

Same As Urging The Insurance Division Of The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Identify Feasible Options And Mechanisms To Protect The State And Its Residents Against The Effects Of Climate Change On The Availability And Affordability Of Insurance.

HI SR111

Same As Urging The Insurance Division Of The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs And Department Of The Attorney General To Convene A Working Group To Identify Feasible Options And Mechanisms To Protect The State And Its Residents Against The Effects Of Climate Change On The Availability And Affordability Of Insurance.

Previously Filed As

HI SCR222

Requesting The Office Of Consumer Protection Of The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Task Force To Assess Issues Related To The Availability Of Payment Options From Tow Companies.

HI SR197

Requesting The Office Of Consumer Protection Of The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Task Force To Assess Issues Related To The Availability Of Payment Options From Tow Companies.

HI HR146

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Establish And Convene A Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group To Explore And Propose Legislation For The 2026 Legislative Session.

HI SCR198

Encouraging Hawaii Insurers And The Hawaii Property Insurance Association To Reduce Insurance Costs On Local Residents By Pursuing Subrogation Claims Against Polluters Who Knowingly Engaged In Misleading And Deceptive Practices Regarding The Connection Between Their Products And Climate Change.

HI SR178

Encouraging Hawaii Insurers And The Hawaii Property Insurance Association To Reduce Insurance Costs On Local Residents By Pursuing Subrogation Claims Against Polluters Who Knowingly Engaged In Misleading And Deceptive Practices Regarding The Connection Between Their Products And Climate Change.

HI HCR152

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Establish And Convene A Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group To Explore And Propose Legislation For The 2026 Legislative Session.

HI SR41

Urging The Congress Of The United States To Enact A National Reinsurance Program To Address The Multi-state Insurance Crisis Resulting From Catastrophic Natural Disasters.

HI SCR57

Urging The Congress Of The United States To Enact A National Reinsurance Program To Address The Multi-state Insurance Crisis Resulting From Catastrophic Natural Disasters.

HI HR186

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Examine And Consider The Transfer Of Native Hawaiian Burial Site Management Under Chapter 6e, Hawaii Revised Statutes, From The State Historic Preservation Division To The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.

HI HCR193

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Examine And Consider The Transfer Of Native Hawaiian Burial Site Management Under Chapter 6e, Hawaii Revised Statutes, From The State Historic Preservation Division To The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.