# Hawaii SB 764: RELATING TO PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE.

Hawaii SB 764, RELATING TO PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-21 (Re-Referred to HHS/EDU, WAM/CPN.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB764-2026
- 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 764
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO PHYSICIAN SHORTAGE.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2026-01-21, Re-Referred to HHS/EDU, WAM/CPN.
- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Subjects: PVLD, DCCA, Department of Health, JABSOM, Physician Shortage, Physician Licensing Subsidy, Pilot Program, Rules, Report, Appropriation, HHS/EDU, WAM/CPN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes a 1-year Physician Licensing Subsidy Pilot Program within the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to provide subsidized licensing fees for eligible medical school graduates and out-of-state physicians applying for initial licensure in the State. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to collaborate with the Department of Health, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, and other stakeholders to promote the pilot program; adopt rules; and submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2026.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: AQUINO
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Kurt Fevella (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Troy N. Hashimoto (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Dru Mamo Kanuha (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (5)

- 2026-01-21: Re-Referred to HHS/EDU, WAM/CPN. (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-23: Referred to HHS/HRE, WAM/CPN. (Senate)
- 2025-01-21: Passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB764_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB764_.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/SB764_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB764_.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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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB764-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).