# Hawaii SB 3137: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS.

Hawaii SB 3137, RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-06-08 (Act 108, 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1208).); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB3137-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 3137
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-26
- Last action: 2026-06-08, Act 108, 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1208).
- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Department of Health, Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, Consolidation of Food Safety, Chapter 328, HRS, Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund, Establishment, Sanitization and Environmental Health Special Fund, Repeal, HLT, CPC, FIN
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 11 (221 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

Removes duplicative food-related statutory material and aligns all food-related provisions under chapter 328, HRS. Ensures adequate statutory authority for permits, fees, inspections, and enforcement. On 6/30/2027, repeals the Sanitation and Environmental Health Special Fund and transfers any unexpended or unencumbered balance to the newly established Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Food producers get permit relief: benefit, low. Hand-pounded poi producers who sell directly to consumers do not need a certified facility or department permit. They must prepare poi near hand-washing facilities and follow health and safety rules. Qualifying crop and livestock processors get priority permit review at no extra cost, but priority…
- More food safety help and oversight: benefit, low. The Department of Health runs a food safety education program with classes and workshops. It may study food safety after an outbreak investigation or at an operator’s request. The department must investigate food handling that appears unsafe and help the public get information and report concerns.…
- Food businesses face annual permits: cost, low. Food businesses generally need a Department of Health permit or variance to handle food for sale. It lasts one year and must be renewed. Some food producers are exempt. The department director can set and collect permit and variance fees, but the law does not state the amounts.
- State food safety funds change: mixed, low. The law creates a fund for food safety and environmental health work, using specified fees. Administration is capped at $140,000 per fiscal year and two full-time jobs. Any balance above $1,500,000 on June 30 goes to the general fund. On June 30, 2027, the old sanitation and environmental health fu…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Ronald D. Kouchi (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-05-06 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 51 | 0 |   |
| 2026-05-01 | Senate | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.... | pass | 2 | 0 |   |
| 2026-05-01 | House | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2026-04-14 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 51 | 0 |   |
| 2026-04-07 | House | The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 11 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-24 | House | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC... | pass | 48 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-20 | House | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 9 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 24 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-02 | Senate | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The... | pass | 13 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-18 | Senate | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-18 | Senate | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |

## Actions (51)

- 2026-06-08: Act 108, 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1208). (Senate)
- 2026-06-08: Act 108, on 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1208). (House)
- 2026-05-08: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888). (Senate)
- 2026-05-08: Enrolled to Governor. (Senate)
- 2026-05-06: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-05-06: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). (House)
- 2026-05-06: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816). (House)
- 2026-05-01: The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey. (Senate)
- 2026-05-01: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Matayoshi, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. (House)
- 2026-05-01: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 224-26). (Senate)
- 2026-05-01: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26. (Senate)
- 2026-05-01: Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 224-26) as amended in (CD 1). (House)
- 2026-05-01: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26. (House)
- 2026-04-30: Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 4:30PM in conference room 329. (House)
- 2026-04-29: Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 4:30PM in conference room 329. (House)
- 2026-04-22: Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720). (House)
- 2026-04-21: Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; McKelvey, Kanuha Co-Chairs. (Senate)
- 2026-04-20: Re-referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 30 (House)
- 2026-04-20: House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Matayoshi, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos. (House)
- 2026-04-20: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787). (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 751). (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: Senate disagrees with House amendments. (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710). (House)
- 2026-04-14: Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate. (House)
- 2026-04-10: Reported from CPC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2112-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. (House)
- 2026-04-10: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-14-26. (House)
- 2026-04-07: The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. (House)
- 2026-04-02: Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:05PM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-03-24: Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1347-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC. (House)
- 2026-03-24: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2). (House)
- 2026-03-20: The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. (House)
- 2026-03-17: Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 03-20-26 9:30AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-03-10: Pass First Reading (House)
- 2026-03-10: Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 16 (House)
- 2026-03-06: Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House. (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 113) in amended form (SD 1). (House)
- 2026-03-05: Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2763) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. (Senate)
- 2026-03-05: One Day Notice 03-06-26. (Senate)
- 2026-03-02: The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-02-25: The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-02-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-02-23: The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:55AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-02-20: Reported from HHS/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2635) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-02-20: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey. (Senate)
- 2026-02-18: The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey. (Senate)
- 2026-02-17: The committee(s) on HHS/CPN deferred the measure until 02-18-26 10:06AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: The committee(s) on HHS/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-17-26 9:45AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-02-02: Referred to HHS/CPN, WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-01-28: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2026-01-28: Passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_CD1_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/GM1208_.PDF)
- SB3137_CD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_CD1_.HTM)
- SB3137_HD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_HD1_.HTM)
- SB3137_HD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_HD2_.HTM)
- SB3137_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_SD1_.HTM)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2964: RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_CD1_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/GM1208_.PDF)
- [SB3137_CD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_CD1_.HTM)
- [SB3137_HD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_HD1_.HTM)
- [SB3137_HD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_HD2_.HTM)
- [SB3137_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB3137_SD1_.HTM)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [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 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 2964: RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2964-2026)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB3137-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).