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HI HB1638

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/21/2026

Primary Sponsor

Scot Matayoshi

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Limits property damage claims from covered catastrophic wildfires to actual damages only, prohibiting punitive damages
  • Caps electric utility aggregate liability for qualifying damages at $1,000,000,000 per occurrence, replacing the previous Public Utilities Commission-determined limit
  • Requires claims for qualifying damages to be filed as insurer subrogation claims and imposes a one-year statute of limitations from the wildfire date
  • Designates the Director of Hawaii Emergency Management to certify whether a wildfire qualifies as a "covered catastrophic wildfire," with the determination being final and non-appealable
  • Preserves property and casualty insurers' subrogation rights and exempts claims for damages exceeding insurance coverage limits from the $1 billion liability cap

Legislative Description

Relating To Property Damages.

Electric Utilities

Last Action

Referred to EEP, CPC/JHA, FIN, referral sheet 1

1/26/2026

Committee Referrals

Energy & Environmental Protection1/26/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available