# Hawaii HB 2256: RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT.

Hawaii HB 2256, RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-02-18 (Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 466-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2256-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 2256
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-26
- Last action: 2026-02-18, Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 466-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
- Sponsor: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: DoTAX, ATG, Tobacco Products, Inspections, Seizures, Asset Forfeiture, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (59 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Clarifies that untaxed tobacco products are subject to forfeiture as contraband, without regard to the procedures set forth in Hawaii's asset forfeiture law in the same manner as untaxed cigarettes. Confirms the authority of the Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General to inspect and seize tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-18 | House | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN... | pass | 50 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | House | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 9 | 0 |   |

## Actions (7)

- 2026-02-18: Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 466-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. (House)
- 2026-02-18: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). (House)
- 2026-02-12: The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti. (House)
- 2026-02-10: Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-12-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-01-30: Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 5 (House)
- 2026-01-28: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2026-01-26: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_HD1_.pdf)
- HB2256_HD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_HD1_.HTM)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_.PDF)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_HD1_.pdf)
- [HB2256_HD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_HD1_.HTM)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2256_.PDF)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2256-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).