Bill > SB3000

This bill authorizes the Attorney General to sue on behalf of the state, as "parens patriae" (a Latin term meaning "parent of the country," signifying the government's role as protector of those who cannot protect themselves), any "responsible party" – defined as a large company involved in extracting, producing, marketing, or selling fossil fuel products that has significant business in Hawaii – to recover costs and losses incurred due to climate-related disasters. It also allows the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (an "insurer of last resort" that provides coverage when the private market fails), the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund (a state-funded entity for hurricane insurance), or any private insurer licensed in Hawaii to sue responsible parties for their own climate-related costs and losses. Funds recovered from these lawsuits will go into a new Climate Disaster Special Fund, which will then distribute the money in a specific order: first to policyholders for restitution, then to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, then to cover court costs and attorney fees, and finally to fund mitigation and adaptation projects. The bill also makes changes to how insurance rates are determined, requiring them to account for any proceeds recovered from these climate-related lawsuits, and adjusts the operational plans for the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to similarly consider such recoveries. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Business and Industry, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=3000&year=2026