SB 1509 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Summary

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on best practices for the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and reduction in prescription drug costs for health insurance plan beneficiaries. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1509_HD1 → SB1509_SD1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transformed from a directive requiring the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on pharmacy benefit managers into active legislation that mandates immediate cost-sharing reductions for enrollees. The new law requires health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to pass 100% of drug rebates directly to patients at the point of sale, establishes strict reimbursement rates for pharmacies, and creates a certification process for compliance.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a passive research study to an active regulatory framework applying to all health care insurers and pharmacy benefit managers operating in Hawaii.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement for the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study and submit a report to the legislature.

Added a mandate for health insurers to reduce patient cost-sharing by an amount equal to at least 100% of all rebates received on prescription drugs.

Added a mandate for pharmacy benefit managers to reduce patient cost-sharing by an amount equal to at least 100% of all rebates received on prescription drugs.

Added a requirement for pharmacy benefit managers to submit annual compliance certifications to the Insurance Commissioner.

Added a requirement that pharmacy benefit managers reimburse pharmacies at least the national average drug acquisition cost plus a professional dispensing fee.

DEFINITION

Added new legal definitions for 'Health care insurer', 'Pharmacy Benefit Manager', 'Rebate', and 'Defined cost sharing'.

ENFORCEMENT

Added confidentiality protections allowing insurers and PBMs to keep specific rebate data private if it is considered a trade secret or proprietary information.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from the study period to December 31, 2050, for the new operational requirements.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1233) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Chun, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 360) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Richards.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-24-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to HHS/CPN.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, CPN.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors