STAND. COM. REP. NO. 747

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 380

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 380, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to repeal existing laws that:

(1) Declare the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices a statewide concern; and

(2) Preempt all local ordinances and regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; Department of Health; two members of the Kauaʻi County Council; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties; Hawaii COPD Coalition; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hawaiʻi Public Health Association; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Friends of Kamalani & Lydgate Park; Lokahi Treatment Centers; Mala Hanai Pua LLC; Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Association of Independent Schools; Hamakua Health Center Inc.; Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund; Hawaii Dental Association; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; AlohaCare; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Retail Merchants of Hawaii; BMA Mart; Discount Smoke Shop Hawaii; Bionic Petroleum; No. 1 Store; China Town Liquor; Wawa Market; R&K Liquor; Marukin Market; Cigarettes & Things; Hawaii Smokers Alliance; Cigar Association of America, Inc.; Americans for Tax Reform; S&K Wholesale; Kilani Market; and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Tax Foundation and ABC Stores.

Your Committee finds that innovative, community-based solutions are needed to address tobacco-related disparities across the State. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii's local communities have been historically successful in adopting strong, innovative public health and tobacco control policies that changed social norms across the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 380, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair