SB 802 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Summary

Requires insurers to provide advance written notice to policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, of any policy cancellation, non-renewal, or proposed premium increase, if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than 10 per cent. Requires insurers that provide property insurance to file rate schedules and underlying criteria with the Insurance Commissioner. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct periodic reviews of insurance rates and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to establish a Public Reporting and Dispute Resolution Program to handle complaints and appeals regarding premium increases. Requires insurers to provide premium discounts or credits to policyholders that implement disaster risk mitigation measures. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB802_SD1 → SB802_SD2 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill revision updates the formatting and metadata of Senate Bill 802, changing the document version from SD1 to SD2. The substantive policy content regarding insurance notice requirements, premium increase disclosures, and dispute resolution remains identical between the two versions, with only minor formatting adjustments and metadata updates (such as author names and timestamps) added in the new version.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; this is a version update with formatting and metadata adjustments.

TECHNICAL

Updated document version from SD1 to SD2 with new metadata including author names (Jordon Higa, Ainoa Naniole), timestamps, and revision tracking information.

Adjusted formatting of section headers and text alignment to match the new SD2 template structure.

Added metadata fields including document properties, revision numbers, and summary description for legislative tracking purposes.

SB802 → SB802_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces new requirements for property insurance companies in Hawaii to provide detailed written notices to policyholders before canceling policies, refusing renewal, or increasing premiums by 10% or more. The changes mandate that insurers explain the specific reasons for these actions, including risk factors, claims history, and premium calculations, and must file these notices with the state insurance commissioner. Additionally, the bill establishes a public dispute resolution program, requires annual reporting on premium trends, and offers premium discounts for disaster risk mitigation measures.

Scope change

The bill expands regulatory oversight by requiring insurers to file rate schedules and underwriting criteria annually, and adds new provisions for public reporting and dispute resolution that were not present in the original draft.

REQUIREMENT

Insurers must provide written notices at least 30 days before policy cancellation, non-renewal, or premium increases of 10% or more, including detailed explanations of specific risk factors, claims history, market conditions, and premium calculation breakdowns.

Insurers must file copies of all premium change notices and supporting documentation electronically with the insurance commissioner within the same timeframe as providing notice to policyholders.

A new public reporting and dispute resolution program is established, including a consumer hotline, online complaint system, and formal appeals process for challenging unjustified premium increases.

Insurers must provide premium discounts or credits to policyholders who implement disaster risk mitigation measures such as wind-resistant roofing, flood-proofing, and fire suppression systems.

Insurers must file annual reports with the commissioner detailing average premium increases, reasons for increases, and total number of policyholder complaints.

TIMELINE

The bill includes a delayed effective date of July 1, 2050, which appears to be a placeholder or error in the original text.

TECHNICAL

Several sections were reorganized and renumbered, with some original formatting and placeholder text removed during the amendment process.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPC, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 199) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:05AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 438) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Richards, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 10:00AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to CPN, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

8 primary · 2 co-sponsors