# Hawaii SB 719: RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES.

Hawaii SB 719, RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Karl Rhoads (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-01-23 (Referred to HHS, WAM/JDC.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB719-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 719
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2025-01-23, Referred to HHS, WAM/JDC.
- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: DOH, Auditor, Healthy Ohana Act, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Fee Program, Exemptions, Healthy Ohana Special Fund, Healthy Ohana Trust Fund, Healthy Ohana Trust Fund Advisory Committee, Enforcement, Penalties, Reports, Rules, Appropriations, HHS, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Fee Program to be administered by the Department of Health that, beginning 7/1/2026, imposes a fee on the distribution and sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in the State. Establishes the Healthy Ohana Special Fund into which revenues generated from the sugar-sweetened beverage fee are deposited. Establishes the Healthy Ohana Trust Fund in the private sector to receive revenues from the Healthy Ohana Special Fund to support prevention and control of obesity and chronic diseases. 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 and submit reports to the Legislature. Establishes the Healthy Ohana Trust Fund Advisory Committee to advise the Department on the administration of the trust fund. Requires the Department to adopt interim rules no later than 6/30/2026, and final rules no later than 12/31/2027. Establishes civil penalties. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (3)

- 2025-01-23: Referred to HHS, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-21: Passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB719_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB719_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB719_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB719_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB719-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).