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Senate committee advances bill to curb gift-card scams after testimony from victims and retailers
Summary
The Hawaii Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection voted to pass SB 985 with amendments after testimony from victims, retailers and advocacy groups; the measure moves to the Judiciary Committee with the effective date deferred for further discussion.
SB 985, a bill intended to reduce gift-card fraud, was recommended for passage with amendments by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Feb. 12, 2025, after more than an hour of public testimony and questions from committee members.
The bill would add a gift-card fraud provision to the states unfair and deceptive practices law and would require merchants and third-party resellers to take steps intended to prevent scams. Committee leaders said they will pass the measure with amendments and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050 to allow additional drafting and discussion before it moves to the Judiciary Committee.
Why it matters: Testimony highlighted that gift-card scams commonly affect older residents and cause substantial…
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