HI HCR145

Urges the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Department of the Attorney General to convene a working group to address climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability in Hawaii.

Working group would assess the state's and residents' insurance exposure to climate-related extreme weather events, identify existing recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal means to seek recovery from responsible parties including large oil and gas companies.

Membership would include the Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, legislative committee chairs, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Administrator, Hawaii Property Insurance Association Administrator, and the Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation due to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027, with the working group dissolving on June 30, 2027.

Resolution cites fossil fuel companies' alleged campaign of deception about climate risks as a contributing factor to the insurance crisis, noting similar litigation approaches used against the tobacco and opioid industries.