CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 45-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 874

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 874, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

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) Specify that violators may be subject to disciplinary action by the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, which may include fines or suspension or revocation of a license.

Your Committee on Conference finds that reducing barriers to competitive pricing for veterinary medications is necessary to ensure pet and livestock animals have adequate and timely access to essential veterinary care. This measure is an effort to improve and strengthen consumer choice and increase flexibility and affordability by granting the right for pet owners to obtain a written prescription and fill that prescription at a pharmacy of the client's choice.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Reverting to language from the S.D. 2 version of this measure to specify that the required notice informing the client of their right to have a written prescription filled at a pharmacy of their choice may be given via direct communication, posted signage, or digital communication;

(2) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 874, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 874, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ CORY CHUN Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ TINA NAKADA GRANDINETTI Co-Chair	____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA Co-Chair