[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6117517,"mediaKeyId","2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75","parentId",2730077,"title","Senate committee advances bill to allow some breweries, distilleries to ship directly to consumers","audioSeconds",4848,"startMs",60000,"endMs",4908000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75&start=60&end=4908","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75/thumbnail_60000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117517/Hawaii/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-allow-some-breweries-distilleries-to-ship-directly-to-consumers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117517-7383dc923c395308b40b6b09987c9964/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905836&Signature=ZL6TYDK7OrKXz6njFebr42DPn8eEXfsCluJdStfoc3J3VmZkyALzWtIgQPd9Fq5HTICIJ9mkh3DR-7Awi3gFWsFz~STJE7mp-i39z1nLxMoRoanu1uIzg4tDuIE43YanLNmlG3KWTufiKVKutmcxj86FnnxXXXXNBdC3MmTTlJMJYz0ur83CxEQ-pJyKI5lePPlIaY502hhlFEI5N9zY0HZIQ7UlOuG62gJOaq0Vu19RjKXAtJAb3fY~DEKJHb3ZJHowLhWR0BOhtSSGv6hqr3fXb~t575LZKw0D7~jdPBBooyibQeWJhFOipdl~Fscy5Gqra6FW02-d2sob2hZR3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection","date","2025-03-21T09:25:57Z","article","The Hawaii Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Thursday moved HB 108 HD2, a measure that would allow certain licensees to ship beer and distilled spirits directly to consumers and require county liquor commissions to adopt implementing rules.

Supporters — mostly small breweries and distilleries — told the committee the change would help the state’s smallest producers expand sales, ship limited-edition products to visitors and mainland customers, and keep specialty, small-batch items moving when wholesalers will not carry them. “HB 108 will actually benefit our smallest and most fragile producers in the state the most,” a representative from Lanikai Brewing told the committee, saying many in-state producers do not have wholesale agreements. Sam DeWitt, State Government Affairs Director for the Brewers Association, said direct-to-consumer shipping “is an idea whose time has come” and that it would supplement, not replace, the three-tier wholesale system.

Several distillers gave examples of lost sales because they cannot ship to customers whose luggage is full or who live off-island. A representative from Koloa Rum Company described limited-edition releases tied to Iolani Palace and University of Hawaii athletics that drew mainland interest but could not be shipped under current law. Pohana Rum/Manulele Distillers and other producers testified that the change would help island farm-to-bottle operations reach neighbor-island and mainland customers.

Opponents included the Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, which warned the measure could increase access to alcohol by minors and cut into wholesaler jobs and tax collection. Kenneth Fu, secretary of the Hawaii Liquor Wholesalers Association, testified that allowing out-of-state manufacturers to ship directly to Hawaii households “is gonna create all kinds of problems with minor access” and “problems with tax revenue.” Supporters disputed the claims, citing age-verification procedures used by common carriers and experience with wine direct-to-consumer shipping for decades.

Committee members asked supporters about enforcement, tax reporting, and whether the economics would permit mainland manufacturers to undercut local retailers. Testimony noted common carriers’ age-verification systems and existing county reporting forms for direct-shipment wine as models for compliance and tax collection. Several testifiers said the measure would primarily support higher-priced, limited-run products rather than cheap six-packs delivered to doorsteps.

The committee recommended passing the bill with amendments that defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The recorded votes in committee discussion included the chair voting aye, Senators McKelvey and Richards recorded as yes, and Senator DeBonge recorded as no; the vice chair registered reservations on the record. The measure was adopted by the committee and will move forward with the stated amendment.

Supporters said the bill is intended to preserve the three-tier system while providing an alternate sales channel for small producers that currently lack wholesale distribution. Opponents said the state should address enforcement, tax collection, and the potential for out-of-state shipments before changing the law.

The committee heard more than a dozen live testifiers and received written testimony from dozens of organizations and individuals on both sides of the measure. No formal amendments to the bill text beyond the effective-date deferral were recorded at the committee decision.

Looking ahead, if the bill becomes law it will require county liquor commissions to adopt rules to implement direct-shipping, and produce-level and carrier-level controls for age verification and tax remittance will be key to enforcement. The committee noted written testimony and said it expects implementing rulemaking to flesh out operational details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CPN-EIG, CPN Public Hearings 03-20-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Hawaii Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection advanced HB 108 HD2 on March 20, a bill that would permit certain breweries and distilleries to ship beer and distilled spirits directly to consumers and require county liquor commissions to adopt implementing rules.","taxTitle","Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, Senate, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25726,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117505,"Senate committee approves emergency appropriation to Public Utilities Commission",2671,2527000,5198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75&start=2527&end=5198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75/thumbnail_2527000.jpg","/articles/6117505/Hawaii/Senate-committee-approves-emergency-appropriation-to-Public-Utilities-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117505-493c7c2bf6beb31e0913f990646b5b90/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905836&Signature=Mj-l7CmfWtw9u819n6XxbERDsC8-BbwW1rWfpUwpqSiMME1OTMMTtVM3eT6GN7X74688BQQT1GYP-uy~nuO~oeqHS76qwO9Z0ZO0-5xyZ3AgUX7ih3~seLLsAKl4Uuv4CReXAsNGsKbnoLGC5vaKBQQm4HGQU~K9SODRkzA8pvXex2oDTTzdVGSMDyR0o6bCO6qcM0dUC1POpOrI~mU-hnbGn7uF36uePQKdTn1piunf-A0eLkSvhrqcV8xj4Hu0OHR74ERpKV2bv8wSg-2IYPyGcJH7RKSzxpQSxMHhmlc8rCYvyp2nRdXCsOvJnPJMM~Mg458l5eTQTg4ykpENkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on Thursday recommended passage of HB 1055 HD1, an emergency appropriation to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

PUC staff testified in support of the measure and the committee’s written recommendation was to pass the bill with an amendment deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Andrew Okabe, a utility analyst for the PUC, testified on behalf of the commission, saying the commission stands on its written testimony in strong support of HB 1055 HD1.

The committee recorded a vote in which the chair voted aye and the committee report adopted the recommendation. Committee leaders said the appropriation is intended to support PUC work related to wildfire mitigation planning and related regulatory activity; no further amendments were recorded in committee discussion.

The committee voted to pass the bill with the stated amendment; members indicated no further objections at the committee decision. The bill will proceed with the committee recommendation.","The Senate committee recommended passage of HB 1055 HD1, an emergency appropriation to the Public Utilities Commission, recording a committee vote to pass with a delayed effective date amendment.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117511,"Committees back PPA ‘step‑in’ language to support renewable project financing with safeguards",565,2688000,3253000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75&start=2688&end=3253","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75/thumbnail_2688000.jpg","/articles/6117511/Hawaii/Committees-back-PPA-stepin-language-to-support-renewable-project-financing-with-safeguards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117511-52cf4d67c9f477da565e05c18c490f81/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905836&Signature=OGkRcuxhs2vdtw-pRRS3ReN5U1v9oTMHQu5gxTBJbnDnnlrSWIfHgxkk9-zsSxaL3Za3850KdqXIU3r~vHuoldtOhZnaqhqFwU-PrsxYt6UNWeekz9m2SmnvexqeY0nuUJOEWhUsohM8dFFKw1~xEIO30syz4Bs4MjfMrgd5jfsPXLOA6nMIxAQKGb0Qz00ld9bHPRxFztYtv3BHVoeFNXzhp8cjHWIve2XaJvyBq3-~oD~ugbtJmy2cosE46JSxixkpePoeWGbPJ2BUNzYQExOHhd-CLrG0cUrdm4jkbmTK-XQ~NDjkaWpXszGLH3CeP1uEkHljAljLZo4ktxqfnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hawaii Senate on Thursday advanced HB 974 HD1, a measure to provide a state-level backstop for payments under power purchase agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers (IPPs). Supporters said the step-in mechanism is necessary to secure low-cost financing for renewable-energy projects while opponents and budget officials urged safeguards to avoid exposing the State to open-ended liability.

Hawaiian Electric, Clearway Energy and developers argued that uncertainty over the utility’s credit rating and financial condition is increasing financing costs and could delay or cancel planned renewable projects. “HB 974 HD1 is crucial for Hawaiian Electric’s customers and development of new renewable energy projects,” Colton Ching testified for the utility, saying the measure would help avoid higher power-purchase costs driven by higher financing spreads.

Witnesses including Clearway and AES urged retaining “shall” language for prompt action by the state under narrowly defined conditions; the PUC and Budget & Finance raised concerns and asked for guardrails. Blue Planet Foundation and other clean-energy groups urged inclusion of community-based renewable energy projects so smaller community aggregators receive the same protections as larger IPPs.

Committee leaders proposed and read a package of amendments that (a) require Budget & Finance to execute step-in agreements after due diligence, (b) narrow and clarify the state’s role as a pass-through to ensure payments to IPPs are prioritized from collected revenues, (c) preserve developer protections to ensure PPAs remain entitled to payment even when collections are late, (d) add reporting and replenishment language for the reserve fee, and (e) exempt certain department contracts from procurement statutes as technical clarifications. The draft also included AG-suggested language to limit state liability and several PUC-proposed clarifications. The committee accepted most of those edits while declining a few proposed changes that would have weakened the state’s obligation or broadened exemptions.

Senators debated liability and procurement questions at length; one senator said she could not support the bill because of potential taxpayer exposure but agreed to a recorded reservation rather than a straight no. At the committee vote the chair (Senator Chang) recorded a yes; other committee members registered reservations or opposing votes on the record while the final committee report adopted the bill with the agreed amendments.

Supporters described the measure as a targeted, temporary instrument to reduce financing costs for projects that will lower long-term energy costs for customers. Critics said that even with amendments the bill could create contingent liability and recommended greater transparency on terms, limits and procurement exemptions.

The bill as amended applies to future PPAs and community-based renewable energy projects (the committee accepted an amendment to include such projects) and requires Budget & Finance to complete due diligence within 30 days before stepping in. The committee said the changes are intended to be limited in scope and to preserve the State’s protection from open-ended obligation.

The committee passed the amended bill and recorded its vote: the chair voted aye; the vice chair and some members registered reservations on the record while others recorded yes or no votes. The bill will move forward to the next stage with the committee’s amendments.","Senators advanced HB 974 HD1 to let the state act as a backstop for power purchase agreement payments in limited circumstances to improve developers’ access to financing, with numerous amendments designed to limit state exposure and require due diligence.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6117513,"Senate committee moves to study wildfire recovery fund, delays liability cap decision",2954,2206000,5160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75&start=2206&end=5160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730077-944c6a5638879d9b53cfc39107f9fd75/thumbnail_2206000.jpg","/articles/6117513/Hawaii/Senate-committee-moves-to-study-wildfire-recovery-fund-delays-liability-cap-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117513-fef4ac5bcbb98e1f96fd2e3f6e514d75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905836&Signature=RtF~bZEMtMM1lMi3ujk50R5RKJ6TlwA00~YzjnjEuGLRBIAiIg150ST00jEi7CohzgmKBOzkFcSQDQX0AISTq-Kp-NcUXjN10kIJHi52A19CoNk8LWC~VLy6h97PjHkglHYqC9iGeeRSopgIylmFbxbdzuHKMClPui-bejurtWYUe-Z5zaz~34fQ6Z8XpUptD4~TugzUdmMToSUhCCHSQvjnMqUSULNjooB0jTOKRP08-wcrraIkwowYCsSqicdrd60E0ymU3iqkJbE3esWEasI2nePg8hyBTwheWPG-aRXdS19utqk8ZQTDo7E4GJaTXxBmilnUQWQN38HNuWR5lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection on March 20 amended HB 982 HD3 — originally proposing a wildfire recovery fund and liability cap for utilities — to remove the bill’s substantive funding and cap language and direct a study and working group to examine how a fund and any liability limits should be structured.

Hawaiian Electric (HECO) testified in support of measures that would address “unbounded wildfire liability” and urged lawmakers to consider a wildfire recovery fund coupled with a liability limit as a way to restore the utility’s credit standing and reduce financing costs. HECO told the committee it has committed to pay its roughly $2 billion share of a global settlement and that unlimited future wildfire liability raises the utility’s cost of capital, increasing costs for customers. “We continue to believe that the existence of a wildfire recovery fund coupled with a limitation on liability provides significant benefits and represents the best balance of interests,” HECO’s witness said.

Other parties testified across a wide range of positions. The Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the bill’s liability caps as currently drafted, arguing the caps were unusually aggressive and could prevent victims from receiving funds sufficient to rebuild; the association urged amendments to better reflect costs of repair and replacement. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission and insurer and energy-sector witnesses provided comments on versions of the bill and on ongoing PUC dockets concerning wildfire mitigation plans.

Committee members pressed HECO and the PUC on several technical points, including the number of other states that have enacted similar instruments (witnesses cited California and Utah as states with measures in place), the threshold that would trigger the fund (the draft had used a 500-structure destruction threshold), and whether the current insurance market provides coverage that would make a fund unnecessary. HECO testified that its existing catastrophe coverage — about $150 million — is well below the exposure it could face and that market premiums have recently been very expensive (testimony referenced premium quotes of roughly $350,000 per $1 million of coverage in recent markets).

PUC staff said the commission has opened a docket on wildfire mitigation plans and is accepting statements of position and discovery responses, with procedural deadlines stretching into August 2025. Committee members discussed the practical effect of setting a high catastrophe threshold (for example 500 structures) and asked whether more moderate thresholds or different cap structures might better protect ratepayers and victims in smaller but still severe events.

After deliberation, the committee adopted an amendment to delete the bill’s contents and insert a study and working group proposed by HECO; committee leaders said the study approach would allow stakeholders and the legislature to examine precedent from other states, insurance-market conditions, mitigation plans already financed, and the mechanics of a securitized fund or other instruments before setting durable policy. The committee’s recorded votes at the decision-making moment show the chair and vice chair voting aye, and other members recorded in favor; the committee report adopted the substitute directing the study and working group.

Committee leaders signaled that the legislature’s more immediate response to HECO’s financial stress would be a separate general-fund appropriation (discussed elsewhere in the hearing) to address litigation overhang tied to the company’s settlement obligations, while the study would focus on long-term instruments to limit future exposure.

The committee encouraged continued PUC work on wildfire mitigation plans and flagged the need to review the PUC’s forthcoming filings and the scope of planned mitigation expenditures.","After extensive testimony from Hawaiian Electric, insurers and legal groups, the Senate committee deleted HB 982’s original liability-cap and fund language and instead approved a substitute to create a study and working group to evaluate a wildfire recovery fund and liability limits.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate committee advances bill to allow some breweries, distilleries to ship directly to consumers

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Senate committee moves to study wildfire recovery fund, delays liability cap decision