Hawaii lawmakers are vowing to renew efforts to hold the fossil fuel industry responsible for the rising cost and declining availability of homeowners insurance, after their latest bill fizzled in the dying minutes of this year’s legislative session.
The state has come the closest of any in the U.S. to authorizing lawsuits against major oil and gas companies for insurance-related damages, as climate change fuels extreme weather and rattles insurance markets.
But a last-ditch drive to pass legislation stalled last week after a key lawmaker raised concerns that it could conflict with existing state law.
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“I want this bill to work, that’s the frustrating thing,” said state Rep. Scot Matayoshi (D).
