H.B. 1962 Summary

• Repeals Section 245-16.5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which established the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products to consumers in Hawaii.

• Eliminates criminal penalties that classified unlawful tobacco product shipments as a misdemeanor (for products valued under $10,000) or Class C felony (for products valued at $10,000 or more).

• Removes restrictions that prohibited persons and entities engaged in selling tobacco products from knowingly shipping tobacco products to non-licensed recipients in the state.

• Addresses unintended consequences created by Act 62, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, which established protections against electronic smoking device use while inadvertently restricting tobacco product shipments to consumers.

• Takes effect upon approval.