[§28-13.5]  Maui wildfires settlement trust fund.  (a)  There shall be established in the state treasury the Maui wildfires settlement trust fund, which shall be administered by the attorney general, and into which shall be deposited:

     (1)  Appropriations made by the legislature to the trust fund;

     (2)  All interest accruing from the investment of moneys in the trust fund; and

     (3)  Loans made to the trust fund.

     (b)  Moneys in the Maui wildfires settlement trust fund shall be used for the following purposes:

     (1)  Payment of eligible claims pursuant to the Maui wildfires settlement agreements; and

     (2)  Payment of administrative costs relating to the Maui wildfires settlement agreements.

     (c)  The Maui wildfires settlement trust fund shall be terminated upon payment of all claims and costs relating to settlement of claims under the Maui wildfires settlement agreements.  Upon termination, moneys in the trust fund shall revert back to the State and shall lapse to the general fund; provided that any moneys advanced to the trust fund as a loan shall be repaid without interest.

     (d)  The director of finance may loan moneys to the Maui wildfires settlement trust fund from the general, special, or revolving funds of the State that, in the director of finance's judgment, are in excess of the amounts necessary for the State's requirements and will not impede or hamper the necessary financial operations of the State.  The loans shall be without interest.  All loans shall be repaid upon demand of the director of finance.

     (e)  Upon approval of the governor, the attorney general may expend up to the balance in the trust fund for costs as authorized by this section.

     (f)  Any individual who receives compensation from the Maui wildfires settlement trust fund under this section shall execute a release that releases the State from any and all liabilities arising out of the Maui wildfires.

     (g)  The department of the attorney general shall submit a report to the legislature no later than thirty days prior to the convening of each regular session that shall include their receipts and disbursements of the Maui wildfires settlement trust fund for the prior fiscal year. [L 2025, c 301, §2]