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Bill Summary · SB 355

Legislative bill overview

SB 355 is a consumer protection bill introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Senator Karl Rhoads. The bill was introduced in January 2025, passed first reading, and has been referred to the Economic Development & Tourism (EDT) and Consumer Protection & Competitiveness (CPN) committees. It was carried over to the 2026 Regular Session, meaning it did not advance during the 2025 session.

Why is this important

Without the specific language of the bill available, the significance depends on which consumer protection gaps it addresses—whether targeting unfair business practices, data privacy, financial fraud, product safety, or another sector. Consumer protection laws directly affect everyday transactions for Hawaii residents and can impose compliance costs on businesses operating in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's actual provisions are unavailable in this summary, making it difficult to assess whether protections are narrowly tailored or broadly burdensome
  • Business compliance costs: New consumer protections often require businesses to implement new procedures, training, or systems, which may disproportionately affect small businesses
  • Committee advancement uncertainty: The bill's carryover to 2026 suggests it faced obstacles in committee—stakeholders may have raised concerns about its current language or approach

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

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