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SCR 80

URGING THE MEMBERS OF HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE LAVA AND EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE.

2024 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 4 co-sponsors

SCR 80 urges Congress to expand NFIP to cover lava-flow and earthquake damage, seeking federal legislation for broader disaster insurance in Hawaii.

Referred to CPC, FIN, referral sheet 26
#expansion #lavainsurance #nationalfloodinsuranceprogram
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Bill Summary · SCR 80

Summary — SCR 80 (Concurrent Resolution)

Urging Hawaii’s congressional delegation to introduce legislation to expand the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to include lava and earthquake insurance

Overview / Purpose

SCR 80 is a non‑binding concurrent resolution from the State of Hawaii urging the state's U.S. congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation to expand the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) so that it would provide coverage for damage caused by volcanic lava flows and earthquakes. The resolution is an expression of the Legislature’s policy preference and request for federal action rather than a law that creates new insurance programs itself.

Key provisions

  • Type of measure: Concurrent resolution (non‑statutory; expresses the Legislature’s opinion/position).
  • Core request: The Legislature “urges” Hawaii’s members of Congress to introduce and support federal legislation to expand NFIP coverage to include:
    • Damage from volcanic lava flow; and
    • Damage from earthquakes.
  • Implied requests (typical elements such an expansion would require, though not detailed in the resolution text provided): development of actuarially sound premium structures, hazard and risk mapping for lava and seismic perils, underwriting standards, and administrative changes within FEMA/NFIP to implement expanded perils.
  • No appropriation or binding fiscal commitment by the State is included; concurrent resolutions typically do not create state expenditures.

Who would be affected

  • Homeowners, renters, businesses, and property owners in Hawaii (and potentially other volcanic/seismic regions) who currently lack NFIP coverage for lava and earthquake damage.
  • Federal agencies (primarily FEMA and the NFIP) — would bear program design, administration and fiscal exposure if Congress enacted enabling legislation.
  • Private insurers and reinsurance markets — potential market impacts, premium competition, and reinsurance demand.
  • State and local governments — potential changes in recovery funding dynamics and building/land‑use mitigation incentives.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Benefits: could increase availability of affordable, standardized federal backstop insurance for lava and earthquake losses in high‑risk areas; reduce uninsured disaster losses and speed recovery.
  • Challenges: actuarial and modeling complexity (particularly volcanic lava flows), potential significant federal fiscal exposure, potential premium increases to reflect true risk, and administrative changes to NFIP rules and mapping systems. Implementation would likely require new hazard mapping, underwriting rules, and coordination with state mitigation programs.
  • Policy tradeoffs: balancing expanded financial protection vs. moral hazard, impacts on development in high‑hazard zones, and long‑term affordability for residents.

Procedural status / timeline

  • Introduced: May 15, 2025.
  • Classification: Concurrent resolution.
  • Current status provided: Referred to CPC and FIN (referral sheet 26). (As a concurrent resolution, passage would result in transmittal of the Legislature’s request to Hawaii’s congressional delegation and interested federal officials.)
  • Next steps: committee hearings and votes within the Hawaii Legislature; if adopted, the resolution would be forwarded to the state’s congressional delegation as a formal request/endorsement to pursue federal legislation.

Note: the document package provided contains multiple, inconsistent texts (other states’ resolutions and different subjects). This summary is based on the bill title, subject line, and procedural information indicating SCR 80 concerns urging congressional action to expand the NFIP to cover lava and earthquake perils.

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

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