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Bill Summary · HB 981

Legislative bill overview

HB 981 relates to attorneys' fees in Hawaii but the bill text itself is not provided in your submission, making a specific analysis impossible. Based on the legislative history, the bill has passed initial committee review (CPC) with amendments and was scheduled for hearing before the JHA (Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs) committee, which subsequently recommended deferral on February 19, 2025.

Why is this important

Attorneys' fees legislation typically affects access to justice, litigation costs, and the balance of power between plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases. Changes to fee-shifting mechanisms, contingency fee caps, or fee award standards can significantly impact whether individuals can afford legal representation and pursue claims.

Potential points of contention

  • The specific amendments made in HD 1 are unknown without the bill text, but amendments often indicate compromise areas or contested provisions
  • The JHA committee's deferral suggests unresolved concerns, possibly related to constitutional issues, judicial impact, or policy disagreements
  • Attorneys' fees bills frequently pit consumer advocates (wanting broader fee recovery) against business interests and insurance companies (wanting cost limitations)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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