Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1727 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to expand, from motor vehicle insurance and health insurance to all lines of insurance, the statutory immunity from civil liability for providing information relating to insurance fraud. Immunity would not be granted in cases of perjury or malice.

Your Committees heard testimony in support of this measure from State Farm Insurance Companies, Hawaii Insurers Council, and Hawaii Independent Insurance Agents Association. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) supported the intent of the bill. The American Council of Life Insurers commented.

Your Committees have amended this bill to address DCCA's concern about the choice of the specific section to be amended. The proposed new statutory language has been moved from section 431:2-301.8(b) to a new section, leaving the numbering decision to the Revisor of Statutes.

Technical, nonsubstantive amendments have also been made for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1727, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1727, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.