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HRS §486P-4

Out-of-state cigarette manufacturers must have a U.S. agent for legal papers

This section requires certain out-of-state cigarette manufacturers that are not registered in Hawaii to keep a U.S. agent who can receive legal papers. They must tell the attorney general about the agent and any changes. This is a narrow rule about who can be sued and how.

businesses

The statute, as written — Unregistered nonresident or foreign nonparticipating manufacturers; agent; notice

(a) A nonresident or foreign nonparticipating manufacturer that has not registered to do business in this State as a foreign corporation or business entity shall, as a condition precedent to having its brand families listed or retained in the directory established under [section] 486P-6, appoint and continually engage without interruption the services of an agent in the United States to act as an agent for the service of process on whom all process, and any action or proceeding against the manufacturer concerning or arising out of the enforcement of this chapter or chapter 675, may be served in any manner authorized by law. Service pursuant to this section shall constitute legal and valid service of process on the nonparticipating manufacturer. (b) The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide to the satisfaction of the attorney general, notice of: (1) The name, address, phone number, and proof of the appointment and availability of the manufacturer's agent; (2) Termination of the authority of an agent by the manufacturer, thirty calendar days prior to termination, and proof of the appointment of a new agent to the satisfaction of the attorney general no less than five calendar days prior to the termination of an existing agent appointment; and (3) The termination of the authority of an agent by the agent, within five calendar days of the termination, and at the same time, proof of the appointment of a new agent to the satisfaction of the attorney general.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.