Alcohol and tobacco matters.
Summary
Specifies, with respect to a tobacco sales certificate (certificate), that a permitted premises may not include sleeping or living quarters. Provides that a person may not sell a tobacco product or electronic cigarette at wholesale without a certificate. Adds additional information an applicant must provide to the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) when applying for a certificate. Provides, with one exception, that the commission shall not issue a certificate to a retail location where a certificate was revoked within one year prior to the application. Specifies the circumstances under which the commission must either suspend or revoke a certificate if the certificate holder's employees violate employee identification requirements three or more times in one year. Makes it a Class C infraction for a certificate holder or employee to violate particular identification requirements. Modifies the application of certain statutes concerning vapor pens and e-liquid. Establishes various requirements and penalties applicable to e-liquid, e-liquid products, and vapor devices, including restrictions on the manufacture, sourcing, possession, sale, and distribution of foreign adversary products. Specifies that certain provisions concerning vapor pens and e-liquid do not authorize the manufacturing, sale, possession, or use of a controlled substance or any product containing a controlled substance. Amends the requirements for an initial and renewal application to manufacture e-liquids or e-liquid products. Requires, in a provision concerning the sale of cigarettes, that a buydown be considered in determining the cost to the retailer or cost to the distributor. Specifies an exception. Adds the sale of alcohol without a permit to the violations which may constitute racketeering activity. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal sale of tobacco products from six violations in a year to three violations in a year. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal entrance by a minor from six violations to three violations in a year. Specifies that a prohibition on the sale, use, or distribution of flavored nitrous oxide does not apply to a law enforcement agency disposing of flavored nitrous oxide by donation to a nonprofit organization.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Mar 2026
Introduced Jan 5, 2026
Signed Mar 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Senate Bill (S)
→
Senate Bill (H)
·
5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to change its subject matter from regulating beer wholesalers to regulating tobacco and electronic cigarette sales. The effective date was moved from July 1, 2026, to January 23, 2026, and the bill number was updated to SB 185.2. The new text establishes strict rules for selling tobacco products, requiring specific premises and certificates, while removing all previous provisions related to beer inventory and wholesale distribution.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted entirely from alcohol regulation to tobacco regulation, replacing beer wholesaler rules with new requirements for tobacco sales certificates and premises.
SCOPE
The bill's focus changed from beer wholesalers to tobacco and electronic cigarette sellers.
TIMELINE
The effective date was updated to January 23, 2026, and the bill number was changed to SB 185.2.
REQUIREMENT
New sections require a valid tobacco sales certificate and specific premises (no sleeping quarters) to sell tobacco products.
All previous requirements regarding beer inventory, storage, and delivery were removed.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility for a sales certificate now requires owning or operating a permanent building used for tobacco sales, rather than holding a beer wholesaler permit.
Floor votes · Senate Jan 27, 2026 · House Feb 18, 2026
How they voted
44–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 48
Jan 27, 2026
D
Democratic9
77% Yea
R
Republican39
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
40
Key actions
12
Committee
5
Amendments
3
Mar 12, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 429: yeas 95, nays 0
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 329: yeas 47, nays 0
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Senate dissented from House amendments
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
Senate dissented from House amendments
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 272: yeas 90, nays 0
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amendment #2 (Manning) prevailed; voice vote
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 102: yeas 45, nays 0
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass adopted; reassigned to Committee on Appropriations
upper
3 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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