Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 515: RELATING TO THE SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES FEE PROGRAM.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 515 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 17, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO THE SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES FEE PROGRAM. Primary sponsor: Tim Richards (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Establishes a Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture that, beginning 1/1/2026, imposes a fee on the distribution and sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in the State. Establishes the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund. Requires moneys in the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund to be expended for the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program and administration of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program. Allows the Department to contract with a third-party to administer the program. Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of the program. Requires the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to adopt rules by 12/31/2025. Establishes criminal and civil penalties. Requires reports to the Legislature and the Governor. Appropriates funds.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Tim RichardsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate4
Stanley ChangPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate9
Kurt FevellaCo-sponsorRepublicanSenate20

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. Referred to HHS/AEN/CPN, WAM/JDC.
  3. Introduced.
  4. Passed First Reading.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source