STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3392

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2161

H.D. 3

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2161, H.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts;

(2) Establish the pharmacist workforce assessment fee; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Board of Pharmacy; Hawaii Pharmacists Association; Molokaʻi Drugs, Inc.; and seventeen individuals.

Your Committees find that, although pharmacists serve an essential role in many communities as highly accessible and trusted health care providers, especially on neighbor islands, most pharmacists in the State are not operating to the fullest scope of their license. The underutilization of pharmacists is primarily attributed to a lack of robust workforce assessment data. Unlike most medical professions, no dedicated professional entity exists to develop initiatives for the benefit of pharmacy. This measure seeks to create practical public health benefits by enabling the State to use pharmacist workforce data to close service gaps, strengthen retention, and expand pharmacist-supported care, especially in rural and medically underserved communities.

Your Committees note, however, the concerns expressed during the public hearing on this measure that there may be insufficient demand to fund and support a Center for Pharmacy in the State. As the College of Pharmacy already faces low enrollment and a high percentage of graduates relocating to the continental United States, increasing licensing fees may negatively impact the local labor supply. Additionally, data suggests that predicted pharmacist shortages may not occur statewide, but in certain rural areas due to high cost of living, which this measure would not address. Accordingly, your Committees respectfully request that subsequent Committees to which this measure is referred consider these issues as this measure moves through the legislative process.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2055, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2161, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2161, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair