Hawaii lawmakers and activists are pushing back against federal bills that would protect oil companies from climate change lawsuits, which is bad news for states like Hawaii trying to make fossil fuel companies pay for storm and flood damage.

• New federal bills (the "Stop Climate Shakedowns Act") would block lawsuits accusing oil companies of hiding the harm of their products and would even dismiss ongoing cases.
• Hawaii and ten other states are already suing BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and other oil companies, arguing the companies knew for decades their products were damaging the climate but kept promoting them anyway.
• Hawaii officials say rising seas and coastal damage are already costing the islands money, and losing the ability to sue would remove a key tool for recovering those costs.
• The bills were introduced by a Republican senator and representative who say they're protecting energy companies from unfair legal attacks.
• Local lawmakers worry that if Congress shifts further toward Republicans after the election, these bills could move faster.

Outlook: The fight over the bills is expected to intensify after the election, with Hawaii and other states racing to keep their climate lawsuits against oil companies alive.