Hawaii Senate Commerce Committee adopts restaurant-reservation bill, advances rental-algorithm and foreclosure measures; several bills deferred

The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met Jan. 28, 2025, in Room 229 of the Hawaii State Capitol and by voice votes adopted and deferred a slate of consumer- and commerce-related bills.

Senator Jared, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, opened the first hearing of the 33rd Legislature and presided over testimony and questions on eight measures ranging from restaurant reservations to cremation contracts. The committee adopted some measures with amendments and deferred others for further discussion or decision making.

The most immediate action came on Senate Bill 102, which would prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services from listing or selling reservations without a written agreement from the restaurant. Deputy Attorney General Christopher Hahn recommended changes to strengthen the bill against legal challenge, saying, “We recommend putting a purpose section identifying a legitimate government interest and a non impairment provision at the end.” Victor Lim of the Hawaii Restaurant Association told the committee the association “strongly support[s] this bill 102,” arguing restaurants need contractual control over agents that represent them. The committee voted to adopt the Attorney General’s amendments and to defer the bill’s effective date to July 1, 2050 for continued discussion; the chair and vice chair recorded aye votes and other members present also voiced support.

On utility regulation, Senate Bill 137 would require the Public Utilities Commission to impose specified conditions when approving an acquisition, merger or consolidation of an electric utility. Michael (Mickey) Knox of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Division of Consumer Advocacy and representatives of the Public Utilities Commission offered comments; the Ulupono Initiative…