Clarifies the type of claims for which the attorney general may bring a class action lawsuit on behalf of indirect purchasers.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 480-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) No person other than the attorney general of the State shall be authorized to bring a class action for indirect purchasers asserting price fixing or antitrust claims under this chapter. The attorney general or the director of the office of consumer protection may bring a class action on behalf of consumers based on unfair or deceptive acts or practices declared unlawful by section 480-2. Actions brought under this section shall be brought as parens patriae on behalf of natural persons residing in the State, to secure compensatory damages for injuries sustained by such natural persons to their property by reason of any violation of this chapter."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.