HI HB898

Establishes a three-year surcharge on liquor taxes beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2026, with surcharge amount to be determined (bill text shows blank for cent amount).

Surcharge applies per drink based on: 1.50 ounces of distilled spirits, five ounces of sparkling wine or still wine, and twelve ounces of cooler beverages or beer.

Projected revenue from a 10 cent surcharge would be $62,700,000 annually, with costs to individual consumers estimated at nearly $27 per year for excessive drinkers and less than $5 per year for non-excessive drinkers.

Addresses public health concerns, noting that excessive alcohol use caused an average of 384 alcohol-attributable deaths per year in Hawaii between 2011-2015, with estimated economic costs to the state of $937,400,000.

Surcharge revenue shall be deposited into the general fund and the entire Act repeals on June 30, 2026, with liquor tax law reverting to its prior form.