Senate committee advances consumer bills on unsolicited mail, charities and insurance while deferring crypto and social-media measures

The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on March 18 moved a package of consumer bills forward and deferred two that required more work.

The committee passed House Bill 1511, HD2, which would prohibit unsolicited mail and electronic communications that use high-pressure tactics or falsely imply affiliation; the committee adopted amendments to define “affiliated” and “unsolicited” and to clarify that legitimate communications with existing customers are excluded. The committee recorded the recommendation as adopted; the roll call as read in the hearing included the chair and several senators voting aye.

The committee also voted to pass HB1535 (automated external defibrillators) with amendments that adopt Department of Health recommendations around registry language and the bill’s tax-implementation provisions. Senators registered support but noted concerns about whether a tax credit attachment was necessary.

HB1810 (charitable solicitation) won committee backing after testimony from Goodwill Hawaii’s president and CEO, who said the organization helps thousands of people annually through workforce programs and highlighted a dedicated enforcement fund administered by the attorney general that the witness said stood at $5,000,000 in 2024. The committee passed the bill with a defective effective date listed in committee action (July 1, 2050).

The insurance-focused HB2282 (HD1) — which requires insurers to explain premium increases on request and tightens grounds for denying or revoking certain licenses — was adopted with non-substantive amendments and likewise recorded with a defective effective date in committee action; the insurance division said the changes are targeted and consumer-focused.

On consumer retail protections, HB2614 (deceptive practices; cosmetics returns) drew testimony from the Office of Consumer Protection citing more than 180 complaints in five years and a survey of 117 respondents where the office reported high percentages who said they did not understand returns policies and who were refused returns; the committee passed the bill with technical amendments and removed the appropriation, making effectiveness upon approval the committee recommendation.

The committee deferred HB1642 (digital financial asset kiosks) and HB1753 (social media account deletion) to the committee’s reconvening on March 24, 2026, to allow time for drafting and reviewing possible amendments and to address implementation and federal-preemption concerns.

The committee adjourned after taking the above actions.