HCR 145 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

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.

This bill urges state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect Hawaii residents from rising insurance costs and reduced coverage due to climate change. The group would assess the state's exposure to extreme weather, identify existing recovery options, and analyze legal strategies to seek financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. Key members would include the Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, and representatives from relevant government agencies and insurance associations. The working group is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to state committees by early 2027, with the group dissolving by June 2027.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action Apr 2, 2026

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What changed between versions

HCR145 → HCR145_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to remove the Department of the Attorney General from the working group tasked with addressing climate change insurance issues, narrowing the scope to the Insurance Division alone. Additionally, the report submission requirement was updated to direct findings specifically to the Senate and House Standing Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection rather than a broader list of officials. The list of recipients for certified copies of the resolution was also adjusted to reflect these changes.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the Attorney General from the mandated working group, focusing the effort solely on the Insurance Division.

REQUIREMENT

The Department of the Attorney General was removed from the list of entities required to convene the working group on climate change insurance.

The list of officials receiving certified copies of the resolution was updated to include the Chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors and remove the Administrator of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.

TIMELINE

The requirement to submit the working group's report was changed to direct it specifically to the Senate and House Standing Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on JHA as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (7) and none excused (0).

lower

Apr 2, 2026

Committee

Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1761-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Iwamoto, Kong, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Marten; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama, Lowen, Tam.

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPC, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered

lower

9 primary · 0 co-sponsors