Hawaii Senate Bill SR131

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Attorney General To File A Lawsuit Against Big Oil Corporations For Climate Damages To The State And Engage A Third-party Law Firm That Has Expertise In This Legal Area.

Impact

The resolution seeks to hold big oil accountable for the economic burden placed on the state due to climate-related damages. The successful filing of a lawsuit against these corporations could set a significant legal precedent, allowing the state to recoup damages for both current and future climate change-related costs. SR131 can potentially influence legislation and regulatory frameworks surrounding environmental accountability, pushing for greater corporate responsibility and legal recourse for affected states.

Summary

Senate Resolution 131 (SR131) requests the Attorney General of Hawaii to file a lawsuit against major oil corporations for climate damages incurred by the state. This resolution emphasizes the detrimental environmental impact of these companies, which, according to the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. The document underscores how Hawaii's climate challenges, such as rising sea levels and ocean warming, have imposed considerable costs on state infrastructure and necessitated budget allocations for air conditioning and disaster recovery efforts.

Contention

One notable point of contention relates to the legal grounds for such a lawsuit. Recent court rulings indicate that there are avenues for pursuing climate damage claims against oil companies within the state. However, some may question the efficacy and potential backlash of targeting these corporations. Additionally, existing lawsuits by local municipalities focus solely on costs incurred by those specific regions, and SR131 extends the proposal to encompass broader state-level impacts which could spark debate about authority and jurisdiction in environmental law.