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

Hawaii SB 515, RELATING TO THE SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES FEE PROGRAM., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-12-08 (Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB515-2026
- 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 515
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO THE SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES FEE PROGRAM.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2025-12-08, Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Subjects: DOA, Auditor, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program, Exemptions, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund, Hawaii Healthy Food Initiative Program (DA BUX), Enforcement, Penalties, Rules, Audit, Reports, Appropriations, HHS/AEN/CPN, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

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.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Kurt Fevella (Republican), Senate

## Actions (4)

- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-21: Referred to HHS/AEN/CPN, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB515_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB515_.pdf)

## Related bills

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

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB515_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB515_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [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 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB515-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).