Bill > HB1216

This bill establishes a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the State of Hawaii, defining such beverages as any non-alcoholic drink containing added caloric sweeteners, with specific exemptions for drinks sweetened only with non-caloric sweeteners, 100% natural fruit or vegetable juice, milk without added sweeteners, coffee or tea without added sweeteners, infant formula, and plain water. The tax will be imposed on distributors and retailers, calculated per gallon of bottled sugar-sweetened beverages or beverages made from syrup or powder, and administered by the Department of Taxation. All revenue collected from this tax will be deposited into a newly created "children's health promotion special fund," which will be administered by the Department of Health and used to fund various initiatives aimed at preventing childhood obesity, promoting nutrition, and supporting physical activity in schools, ensuring these funds supplement, rather than replace, existing services.