Bill > HB2226

This bill allows the Attorney General to sue on behalf of the state, as a "parens patriae" (meaning "parent of the nation"), to recover costs and damages related to climate change impacts, including those affecting the Hawaii Property Insurance Association (a state-backed insurer of last resort) and the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. It also grants the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the state the ability to sue responsible parties for costs and losses resulting from climate-related harm. The bill defines "climate attributable harm" as insurance-related damage in Hawaii caused by a "climate disaster," which is an extreme weather event where climate change was a contributing factor. A "responsible party" is defined as a firm or corporation involved in the extraction, production, marketing, or sale of fossil fuel products that has significant business ties to Hawaii and meets certain financial thresholds (at least $500 million in market capitalization or annual revenue). The bill also amends existing laws to ensure that any money recovered from these lawsuits is considered when setting insurance rates and that the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund account for these potential recoveries in their financial planning.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2226&year=2026