SB 2835 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Summary

Part I: Clarifies that class 10 special licenses may be granted for a period not to exceed three days per application. In counties with fewer than two hundred thousand residents but more than one hundred thousand residents, amends application requirements for class 10 special licenses, including requirements related to electronic submission, naming, and single applications for certain adjacent parcels of land, and prohibits the conditional acceptance of applications based on certain factors. Part II: Increases the maximum percentage of fines assessed by county liquor commissions that may be used to fund public liquor-related educational or enforcement programs. (CD1)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

Jun 2026

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Jun 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2835_HD2 → SB2835_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill streamlines the process for obtaining temporary liquor licenses for fundraising events in Hawaii by removing redundant requirements like handwritten signatures and fire clearances for specific counties. It also clarifies that single applications can cover multiple adjacent parcels of land owned by the same entity. Additionally, the bill increases the percentage of fines that county liquor commissions can use to fund public safety and education programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope is narrowed regarding specific application hurdles (removing the handwritten signature and fire clearance requirements for counties with 100,000-200,000 residents) and broadened regarding application flexibility (allowing one application for multiple adjacent parcels).

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated the requirement for applicants to submit special license applications in person and provide a handwritten signature.

Removed the mandate for applicants in certain counties to obtain separate fire-related clearances for fundraising events.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the rule so that a single application can cover two or more adjacent parcels of land if they are controlled by the same entity.

FISCAL

Increased the allowable percentage of fines that county liquor commissions can retain to fund public liquor-related educational or enforcement programs.

DEFINITION

Simplified the legislative purpose statement to focus on streamlining the application process rather than explicitly listing the removal of the three-day limit.

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

Amendments

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and none excused (0).

lower

May 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 35-26) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 29, 2026

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 35-26).

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Matayoshi, Tam; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Gedeon.

lower

Apr 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Rhoads, Keohokalole; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 522).

upper

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Apr 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on CPC recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Matayoshi, Grandinetti, Chun, Ilagan, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Kong, Lowen, Marten, Tam, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Committee

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1427-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Mar 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to ECD, CPC, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 307) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Reported from EIG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2177) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EIG were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Wakai, Chang, DeCoite, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EIG has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to EIG, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors