HB1901 • 2026

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: TODD
Last action: 2026-01-26
Official status: Referred to CPC, referral sheet 2
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on the removal of requirements or the conditions under which nonprofits can sell liquor. These points were removed as they are speculative based on the provided candidate explanation and lack supporting evidence in the official summary.

Changes to Liquor Licenses

This bill allows liquor sold with a Class 10 license to be consumed both at the location where it was bought and taken away in its original sealed container for later consumption, under certain conditions.

What This Bill Does

Authorizes liquor sold through a Class 10 license to be consumed on or off premises, under certain conditions.

Who It Names or Affects

People who apply for a Class 10 liquor license
Nonprofit organizations that want to hold fundraising events with alcohol sales

Terms To Know

Class 10 License: A special type of liquor license that allows the sale of drinks for up to three days, often used by nonprofits and social clubs.
Off-premises consumption: Drinking alcohol outside of where it was purchased or served.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify all the conditions under which liquor can be consumed off-premises.
It is unclear how this change will affect existing laws and regulations about drinking alcohol in public places.

Bill History

2026-01-26 H
Referred to CPC, referral sheet 2
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.
Liquor Licenses; Class 10
Authorizes liquor sold through a Class 10 license to be consumed on or off premises, under certain conditions.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1901

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1901

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to liquor licenses
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 281-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (j) to read as follows:

����
"
(j)
�
Class 10.
�

Special license.

����
(1)
�
A special license may be granted for the sale of liquor for a
period not to exceed three days [
and pursuant to commission rule
may
be approved by the administrator for
]

per application.

�
Special licenses for certain
fundraising
events by nonprofit organizations, political candidates, and political parties[
;
]
,
pursuant to commission rule, may be approved by the administrator;
provided
that any registered educational or charitable nonprofit organization may sell
liquors in their original packages for off-premises consumption; provided
further that any social club granted tax-exempt status pursuant to section
501(c)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may sell wine from
the social club's inventory to the club's members for off-premises consumption.
�
Of this class, there shall be the following kinds:

����
����
(A)
�
General
(includes all liquor except alcohol);

����
����
(B)
�
Beer
and wine; and

����
����
(C)
�
Beer.

���������
Liquor sold
under a class 10 license [
shall
]
may
be consumed on the premises[
.
]

or removed from the premises in its original sealed container for
off-premises consumption, where not prohibited by law.

����
(2)
�
Notwithstanding
any other section of this chapter to the contrary, the commission shall waive
any hearings, fees, notarization of documents, submission of floor plans and
other governmental clearances, and other requirements for the issuance of a
class 10 license.
�
The class 10 license
granted under this subsection for a fundraising event shall include the ability
to auction off, at a live or silent auction, liquor in sealed or covered glass,
ceramic, or metal containers or services that provide liquor.
�
No criminal history record check under
section 281-53.5 or 846-2.7 or any other section of this chapter shall be
required.
�
The commission may require
proof of liquor liability insurance for the fundraising event and a current
list of officers and directors if the applicant is a nonprofit organization."

����
SECTION
2.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

����
SECTION 3.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Liquor
Licenses; Class 10

Description:

Authorizes
liquor sold through a Class 10 license to be consumed on or off premises, under
certain conditions.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.