THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	116
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE THE USE OF ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF INSURANCE NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has adopted the model Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, codified as chapter 489E, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     WHEREAS, chapter 489E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, excludes insurance documents and notices from its purview; and

     WHEREAS, insurance notices and documents are currently required to be in writing; and

     WHEREAS, although consumers have indicated a preference to obtain notices and documents by electronic means, there are certain questions as to the appropriate use and application of electronic notices and documents; and

     WHEREAS, the insurance industry, like other industries, is engaged in more online and internet-based sales and notifications; and

     WHEREAS, because the insurance marketplace is in the process of this change, the State is interested in exploring the appropriate balance between consumer convenience and consumer protection; and

     WHEREAS, potential issues related to the use of electronic transmission of insurance notices and documents should be explored; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the Insurance Commissioner is requested to convene a working group to explore the use of electronic transmission of insurance notices and documents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group be composed of the Insurance Commissioner and representatives from the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Hawaii Insurers Council, and State Farm Insurance Company; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is also requested to develop alternatives for insurance notices and documents that balance the convenience of electronic notices and documents with consumer protection; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the representatives on the working group not be considered state employees based solely upon their participation in the working group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a final report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner, Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, Hawaii Insurers Council, and State Farm Insurance Company.

Report Title: 

Insurance Commission; Working Group; Insurance Notices and Documents; Electronic Transmission