STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 0 2 2025
RE: S.R. No. 178
S .D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and
Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 178
entitled:
"SENATE RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING HAWAII INSURERS AND THE HAWAII
PROPERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION TO REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS ON
LOCAL RESIDENTS BY PURSUING SUBROGATION CLAIMS AGAINST
POLLUTERS KNOWINGLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WORSENING CLIMATE IMPACTS
AFFECTING HAWAII INSURANCE RATES,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage Hawaii
insurers and.the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to reduce
insurance costs on local residents by pursuing subrogation claims
against polluters knowingly responsible for worsening climate
impacts affecting Hawaii insurance rates.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure
from the Center for Climate Integrity, Kauai Climate Action
Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the
Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, 350Hawaii.org, and forty-two
individuals.
Your Committees received comments on this measure from the
Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. Inc.
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 STAND. COM. REP. NO.
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Your Committees find that the increase in climate-related
disasters and risks have contributed significantly to the
destabilization of the State's insurance industry, particularly in
the property and casualty insurance sector. This has led to a
rise in insurance premiums and non-renewal rates. Your Committees
also find that insurers have previously pursued claims against
those responsible for the national opioid epidemic, as well as big
tobacco companies. Similarly, claims against parties responsible
for the current state of Hawaii's insurance market should also be
pursued to ensure that the burden of financial loss does not fall
solely on the policyholders and taxpayers. By encouraging the
Hawaii Property Insurance Association to subrogate claims on
behalf of its policyholders to recover losses, this measure
demonstrates the State's interest in the stability of Hawaii's
insurance market and an effort to limit costly rate hikes for
property owners who have no other insurance options.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property
Insurance Association are encouraged to pursue
subrogation claims against polluters who knowingly
engaged in misleading and deceptive practices regarding
the connection between their products and climate
change;
(2) Amending its title accordingly; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the
purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your
Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Agriculture and
Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees
concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 178, as amended
herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as
S.R. No. 178, S.D. 1.
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Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committees on Commerce and
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 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
CPN
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to: ___________________________________
The Recommendation is:
__ Pass, unamended Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
KEOHOKALOLE, Jarrett (C)
FUKUNAGA. Carol (VC)
MCKELVEY, Angus L.K.
RICHARDS, III, Herbert M. “Tim”
AWA, Brenton
TOTAL 5
Recommendation: _ -
Adopted __ Not Adopted
Chair's or Designee’s Signature:
Distribution: Yellow Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Draftinq Aqency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 12/09/24
 The Senate
Thirty-Third Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
AEN
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral: Date:
ng S- « - 25
CVw/AtW
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measure.
If so, then the previous decision was to:___________________________________
The Recommendation is: /
__ Pass, unamended Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311_______________ 2310________ 2313
Members Aye Aye (WR) Nay Excused
GABBARD, Mike (C)
RICHARDS, III, Herbert M. “Tim” (VC)
DECOITE, Lynn
RHOADS. Karl
AWA. Brenton
Recommendation:
TOTAL
-
4
V Adopted __ Not Adopted
Distribution: Original 'Sallow Pink r Goldenrod
File with Committee Report Clerk's Office Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one measure per Record of Votes
Revised: 12/09/24