HB 5539 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING REQUIREMENTS FOR AND PENALTIES ON HOLDERS OF DEALER REGISTRATIONS REGARDING ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND VAPOR PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTS.

This bill updates Connecticut's licensing requirements for cigarette and tobacco product distributors and dealers, requiring new applicants to provide manufacturer supply affidavits, detailed ownership information, criminal background checks, and proof of compliance with federal and state laws. It mandates separate licenses for distributors and dealers, requires license display at business locations, and allows the commissioner to refuse licenses based on false statements, unpaid taxes, or relevant criminal convictions. The legislation also establishes penalties for unlicensed sales, including fines up to $1,000 or six months imprisonment per offense, with reduced fines for expired licenses used within 90 days, and authorizes seizure of illegally sold tobacco products.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2026 Last action Apr 16, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill FIN Joint Favorable Substitute · 8 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' and its title was broadened to include manufacturer registration requirements. The core policy shift involves replacing a general cigarette distributor licensing system with a specific 'dealer registration' system exclusively for electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products. This new system imposes strict age verification, mandatory compliance bonds, and signage requirements on dealers of these products.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from regulating general tobacco and cigarette distribution to specifically targeting the sale and possession of electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products. It also added requirements for manufacturers of these products to register with the state.
SCOPE

The bill's title and subject matter were expanded to explicitly include manufacturer registration requirements alongside dealer regulations.

REQUIREMENT

New definitions were added for 'dealer registration,' 'authorized owner,' 'business entity,' and specific terms like 'electronic nicotine delivery system' and 'vapor product' to clarify the regulated items.

Dealers of electronic nicotine delivery systems and vapor products must now maintain a specific dealer registration for each location, post the registration prominently, and display a sign stating that cannabis is not sold there.

Holders of dealer registrations who derive at least 50% of their revenue from regulated products must verify the age of every customer entering the premises and prohibit anyone under 21 from entering.

Provisions requiring affidavit support from cigarette manufacturers for initial distributor licenses were removed, as the focus shifted to vapor products and dealer registrations.

FISCAL

A new requirement mandates that qualifying dealer registrations must obtain a compliance bond of at least $250,000 to cover fines, penalties, and product seizure costs.

DEFINITION

New definitions were established for 'manufacturer registration' and 'electronic cigarette liquid' to formalize the regulatory framework for product creation and supply.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalties for selling unlicensed electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapor products were established, with specific fines for operating without a license after expiration.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.