STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1489-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 874

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 874, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require veterinarians to provide a written prescription, upon the request of a client, for any animal patient of a client with whom the veterinarian has established an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to be filled at the pharmacy of the client's choosing;

(2) Allow pharmacies licensed in the State to dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians; and

(3) Authorize the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine to establish penalties, which may include fines or suspension or revocation of a license.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Board of Veterinary Medicine; Animal Rights Hawaiʻi; Hawaiian Humane Society; Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain; Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that timely, safe, and affordable access to veterinary medications is essential to animal health and welfare across the State's agricultural and food system, including for livestock and other animals that support local food production, and for many households with pets. Your Committee further finds that ensuring that clients of veterinarians have the right to obtain a written prescription, when there is an established veterinarian-client-patient relationship, and fill that prescription at a pharmacy of the client's choice promotes consumer choice, affordability, and transparency by reducing barriers to competitive pricing and improving access to needed medications, particularly for pet owners in rural or underserved areas.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 874, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 874, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair