STAND. COM. REP. NO. 225

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 75

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 75 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage required under motor vehicle insurance policies.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, American Property Casualty Insurance Association of America, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, GEICO, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Insurers Council, and Hawaii Association for Justice.

Your Committee finds that motor vehicle insurance minimum coverage requirements have remained the same since 1998. As a result, the minimum coverage requirements are insufficient and operate as a tax on tort victims. This measure takes the necessary step to increase the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage to adequately protect residents in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the minimum liability insurance coverage amounts to unspecified amounts;

(2) Requiring the Insurance Commissioner to solicit rate filings for the amended minimum coverage amounts required by this measure;

(3) Clarifying that this measure applies to motor vehicle insurance policies entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date of this measure;

(4) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 75, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 75, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair