Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Other Initiatives
HB1068, SB886: RELATING TO BUSINESS REGISTRATION
Makes government more business-friendly by clarifying and streamlining business registration laws in the State, including those covering dissolutions of corporations.
HB1069, SB887: RELATING TO ESCROW DEPOSITORIES
Improves regulatory oversight of the escrow depositories industry by revising the escrow depository law to: (1) clarify which escrow transactions are covered by the statute and which are not; (2) update the statute in order to adequately reflect the present day size of the transactions routinely handled by the industry; (3) provide for more flexibility in supervising and regulating the industry; and (4) improve consumer protection provisions.
HB1070, SB888: RELATING TO THE CODE OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Enhances consumer protection by amending and updating Hawai`i’s Code of Financial Institutions to place prudent limits on certain kinds of investments by financial institutions. Also addresses temporary closures or relocations of bank branches or other financial agencies in the event of an emergency or other good cause.
HB1071, SB889: RELATING TO MORTGAGE SERVICERS
Enhances protections for Hawai`i’s home owners by establishing a state system of licensure and regulation to ensure that out-of-state servicers of residential mortgage loans conduct their activities responsibly and with accountability to borrowers.
HB1072, SB890: RELATING TO INSURANCE
Protects the public by clarifying that the Insurance Commissioner is authorized to conduct criminal background checks and collect fingerprints of insurance license applicants.
HB1073, SB891: RELATING TO INSURANCE
Protects health care consumers by prohibiting health plans from disenrolling a customer because of a medical condition or withdrawing authorization for a procedure after the provider has acted. Also prevents health plans from rejecting a customer for a medical condition not known at the time the health plan was issued and allows non-participating medical providers to be paid at the same rate as participating providers.
HB1074, SB892: RELATING TO INSURANCE
Updates the Insurance Code by making several amendments that will make its provisions more understandable, technically correct, and consistent.
HB1075, SB893: RELATING TO INSURANCE
Makes various technical amendments to article 10H of the Insurance Code that governs long-term care insurance, providing conformity with the Long-Term Care Model Regulation that was adopted in 2007.
HB1076, SB894: RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF THE MORTGAGE RESCUE FRAUD PREVENTION ACT TO REAL ESTATE LICENSEES
Excludes licensed real estate brokers and salespersons from the definition of distressed property consultant in the Mortgage Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Prevention Act adopted in 2008. Also authorizes the Real Estate Commission to discipline real estate brokers and salespersons for certain acts that specifically relate to taking title in distressed property.
HB1077, SB895: RELATING TO THE HAWAI`I COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Creates the Hawai`i Communications Commission and tasks it with investigating, promoting, and ensuring the growth and development of broadband infrastructure within the State. The Commission will among other things: (1) champion the State’s broadband, telecommunications, and video interests; (2) develop State policies relating to broadband communication services and facilities; (3) be responsible for the consolidated regulation of telecommunications carriers and cable operators; and (4) expedite the availability of communications services to the residents of Hawai`i.
