Bill > HB1001

This bill establishes the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to help compensate victims of the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires through a comprehensive settlement process. The trust fund will be administered by the Attorney General and will receive state appropriations totaling $807,500,000 over two fiscal years ($400 million in 2025-2026 and $407.5 million in 2026-2027), which will be combined with contributions from other entities like Hawaiian Electric, Kamehameha Schools, and Charter Communications. The settlement aims to provide fair compensation to approximately 2,200 affected parties who suffered property damage, personal injury, wrongful death, emotional distress, and economic losses from the wildfires. The fund will allow for a swift and efficient resolution to claims, helping victims avoid lengthy litigation while releasing the State and contributing parties from further liability. Individuals receiving compensation must execute a release absolving the State of future claims, and the trust fund will be terminated once all claims and administrative costs are paid, with any remaining funds reverting to the State's general fund. The Attorney General is required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing the fund's financial activities, and the act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1001&year=2025