Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR131

Introduced
3/8/24  
Refer
3/14/24  
Introduced
3/8/24  

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.

Companion Bills

HI HR177

Same As 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.

HI SCR154

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

HI SCR154

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.

HI HCR197

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.

HI HR177

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.

HI LD635

Resolve, to Direct the Attorney General to Drop the Lawsuit Filed Against Big Oil Companies Concerning Climate Change

HI HCR6009

Requesting the attorney general to file a lawsuit against the People's Republic of China and related parties to seek damages related to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

HI AR56

Urges Governor and AG to pursue legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms caused by climate change.

HI SCR12

Urge Attorney General to file a lawsuit against RealPage, Inc.

HI SR87

Requesting The Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation And Adaptation Commission To Conduct An Educational Program Regarding The Activities Of Individuals That Contribute To Climate Change.

HI SR156

Requesting The Department Of The Attorney General To Investigate, Review, And Pursue All Applicable Civil Claims And Criminal Charges Against The Owner And Commercial Operator Of The Yacht "nakoa".

HI SR178

Encouraging Hawaii Insurers And The Hawaii Property Insurance Association To Reduce Insurance Costs On Local Residents By Pursuing Subrogation Claims Against Polluters Who Knowingly Engaged In Misleading And Deceptive Practices Regarding The Connection Between Their Products And Climate Change.

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