SB 980 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Nicotine Dispensing Devices

Summary

Nicotine Dispensing Devices; Citing this act as the “Florida Age-Gate Act”; defining the term “non-FDA-authorized nicotine dispensing device”; requiring an applicant for a retail nicotine products dealer permit to consent to inspections and searches of the licensed premises by the Department of Law Enforcement for specified purposes; providing civil and criminal penalties for retail tobacco products dealers that sell or advertise, promote, or display for sale non-FDA-authorized nicotine dispensing devices; prohibiting certain dealers that sell non-FDA-authorized nicotine dispensing devices from advertising, promoting, or displaying such devices if such dealers do not prohibit persons younger than 21 years of age on the licensed premises, etc.

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S 980 Filed → S 980 c1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was updated from a filed version to a committee substitute version, which includes substantive policy changes regarding fines, fund allocations, and dealer restrictions. The committee version clarifies that fines for non-FDA-authorized device violations go to a specific trust fund rather than general revenue, adds military and employment exemptions for age verification, and tightens restrictions on advertising non-FDA-authorized devices in establishments that allow minors.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined to include specific exemptions for military personnel and employees acting within lawful employment scope, and to clarify applicability for establishments that prohibit minors.

FISCAL

Changed the destination of administrative fines from the General Revenue Fund to the Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Trust Fund for violations involving non-FDA-authorized nicotine dispensing devices.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions for persons under 21 who are in the military reserve/on active duty or acting within the scope of lawful employment.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that dealers selling non-FDA-authorized devices must prohibit persons younger than 21 from the licensed premises to be allowed to advertise or display such devices.

Added a requirement for dealers to deposit all fines collected into the Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco Trust Fund.

Added a requirement for dealers to require proof of age for purchasers unless they appear to be 30 years of age or older.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific penalties for repeat violations of non-FDA-authorized device sale restrictions, including escalating fines and permit revocation.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Sell' or 'sale' to include transfer, exchange, barter, gift, or offer for sale.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Regulated Industries, 01/27/26, 1:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 7, 2026

Committee

Referred to Regulated Industries; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors