HB 2160: Cigarette Tax; Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund; Revenue; Disposition; Debt Services; Capital Expenditures; University of Hawaii Cancer Center; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-11: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HED with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill removes the rule that the cigarette tax money put into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used to pay debts and building maintenance, freeing that fund for other uses. It also appropriates state funds to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center to support its operations.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2160 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO CANCER.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 245-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§245-15 Disposition of revenues. All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter shall be paid into the state treasury as state realizations to be kept and accounted for as provided by law; provided that, of the moneys collected under the tax imposed pursuant to:
(1) Section
245-3(a)(5), after September 30, 2006, and [prior to] before
October 1, 2007, 1.0 cent per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the
Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168,
for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(2) Section 245-3(a)(6), after September 30, 2007, and before October 1, 2008:
(A) 1.5 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5; and
(C) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(3) Section 245-3(a)(7), after September 30, 2008, and before July 1, 2009:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 0.5 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(4) Section 245-3(a)(8), after June 30, 2009, and before July 1, 2013:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 0.75 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 0.75 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 0.5
cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical
services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(5) Section
245-3(a)(11), after June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2015:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 1.5 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 1.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 1.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(6) Section 245-3(a)(11), after June 30, 2015, and before January 1, 2026:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 1.125 cents per cigarette, but not more than $7,400,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but not more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but not more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234; and
(7) Section 245-3(a)(12), after December 31, 2025, and thereafter:
(A) 4.0 cents per
cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research
special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and
operating expenses and for capital expenditures; [provided that, until
June 30, 2030, of each amount deposited under this paragraph to the credit
of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, 4.0 cents per cigarette shall be
used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance;
provided further that beginning July 1, 2030, of each amount deposited
under this paragraph to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund,
2.0 cents per cigarette shall be used exclusively for debt service of capital
expenditures and building maintenance;]
(B) 1.125 cents per cigarette, but no more than $7,400,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but no more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321‑1.65; and
(D) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but no more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321‑234.
The department shall provide an annual accounting of these dispositions to the legislature."
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the operations and activities of the university of Hawaii cancer center.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Cigarette Tax; Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund; Revenue; Disposition; Debt Services; Capital Expenditures; University of Hawaii Cancer Center; Appropriation
Description:
Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2160 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to cancer.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 245-15, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§245-15 Disposition of revenues. All moneys collected pursuant to this chapter shall be paid into the state treasury as state realizations to be kept and accounted for as provided by law; provided that, of the moneys collected under the tax imposed pursuant to:
(1) Section
245-3(a)(5), after September 30, 2006, and [prior to] before
October 1, 2007, 1.0 cent per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the
Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168,
for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(2) Section 245-3(a)(6), after September 30, 2007, and before October 1, 2008:
(A) 1.5 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5; and
(C) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(3) Section 245-3(a)(7), after September 30, 2008, and before July 1, 2009:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 0.5 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 0.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(4) Section 245-3(a)(8), after June 30, 2009, and before July 1, 2013:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 0.75 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 0.75 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 0.5
cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical
services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(5) Section
245-3(a)(11), after June 30, 2013, and before July 1, 2015:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 1.5 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 1.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 1.25 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234;
(6) Section 245-3(a)(11), after June 30, 2015, and before January 1, 2026:
(A) 2.0 cents per cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and operating expenses and for capital expenditures;
(B) 1.125 cents per cigarette, but not more than $7,400,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but not more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321-1.65; and
(D) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but not more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321-234; and
(7) Section 245-3(a)(12), after December 31, 2025, and thereafter:
(A) 4.0 cents per
cigarette shall be deposited to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research
special fund, established pursuant to section 304A-2168, for research and
operating expenses and for capital expenditures; [provided that, until
June 30, 2030, of each amount deposited under this paragraph to the credit
of the Hawaii cancer research special fund, 4.0 cents per cigarette shall be
used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance;
provided further that beginning July 1, 2030, of each amount deposited
under this paragraph to the credit of the Hawaii cancer research special fund,
2.0 cents per cigarette shall be used exclusively for debt service of capital
expenditures and building maintenance;]
(B) 1.125 cents per cigarette, but no more than $7,400,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the trauma system special fund established pursuant to section 321-22.5;
(C) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but no more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the community health centers special fund established pursuant to section 321‑1.65; and
(D) 1.25 cents per cigarette, but no more than $8,800,000 in a fiscal year, shall be deposited to the credit of the emergency medical services special fund established pursuant to section 321‑234.
The department shall provide an annual accounting of these dispositions to the legislature."
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the operations and activities of the University of Hawaii cancer center.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Cigarette Tax; Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund; Revenue; Disposition; Debt Services; Capital Expenditures; University of Hawaii Cancer Center; Appropriation
Description:
Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Feb 11, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HED with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1). |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 157-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HED. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | 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; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 3, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 02-06-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Referred to HLT, HED, FIN, referral sheet 5 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Feb 6, 2026 | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Health |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Medical Association | ** Support | |
| John A. Burns School of Medicine | *** Support | Feb 6, 2026 |
| University of Hawaii Cancer Center Patient Advocacy Council | *** Support | Feb 6, 2026 |
| University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center | *** Support | Feb 6, 2026 |
| University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center Community Advisory Board | *** Support | Feb 6, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 157-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2160
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2160 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CANCER,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Repeal the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance; and
(2) Appropriate funds for the operations and activities of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
Your Committee finds that there are profound challenges faced by Hawaii patients and families navigating cancer care. Your Committee further finds that the University of Hawaii Cancer Center provides important cancer research and access to life-saving treatment, including clinical trials which play a critical role in reducing the cancer burden for the State's residents. The University of Hawaii Cancer Center has also been designated as vital for cancer screening, prevention, treatment, and education by the National Cancer Institute and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in the pacific. This measure ensures that funding can be directed toward frontline research and care, thereby strengthening local capacity to study cancer causes, innovate treatments, and improve outcomes for the State's diverse populations.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2160, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2160, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,
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____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 6, 2026 | HB2160_TESTIMONY_HLT-HSH_02-06-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
4MIN
House Standing Committee on Health
4MIN
House Standing Committee on Human Services & Homelessness
48SEC
House Standing Committee on Health
48SEC
