Hawaii: Concerning Bills on Lava Exposure Risk Die Without Hearing

Four concerning lava exposure risk bills introduced by Hawaii Vice Speaker Rep. Greggo Ilagan have died at the first lateral crossover deadline. The bills were assigned to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Committee on Finance in the House but none were scheduled for a public hearing.

HB 2047 Lava Zone Insurance Fund – Would have established a lava zone insurance fund to subsidize the cost of insurance premiums for properties in lava zones 1 and 2; defines lava zones 1 and 2; appropriates funds.

HB 2052 Property Insurance – Would have prohibited insurers offering property insurance in the state from refusing to issue or failing to renew a homeowner’s insurance policy solely on the basis that the applicant’s or insured’s real property is located in a lava flow hazard zone.

HB 2053 Lava Zone Properties Insurance Premiums – Would have established a cap on insurance premiums for residential properties located in lava zones on Hawaii island based on premiums of comparable residential properties not located in lava zones on Hawaii island.

HB 2054 Homeowners Insurance Policy Options – Would have required the state Property Insurance Association to offer additional types of homeowners insurance policy options that exclude lava coverage.