SB 249 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Tobacco Product Licensees - Additional Licensure for Electronic Smoking Devices

SB 249 modifies Maryland's tobacco licensing rules to allow existing tobacco product license holders (e.g., businesses selling cigarettes or traditional tobacco) to manufacture, distribute, or sell electronic smoking devices without obtaining a separate license or paying an additional fee. The bill repeals provisions requiring dual licensing and exempts current tobacco licensees from extra costs when expanding into e-cigarette sales. Key mechanisms include clarifying that tobacco license holders can operate as e-device manufacturers or retailers under their existing licenses, and updating definitions to include e-cigarettes and related accessories (excluding FDA-approved products or standalone batteries). This affects tobacco businesses seeking to offer e-cigarettes and streamlines oversight for the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Tobacco Product Licensees - Additional Licensure for Electronic Smoking Devices Third - Tobacco Product Licensees - Additional Licensure for Electronic Smoking Devices · 2 edits
MINOR
This bill updates the legislative record to reflect that Senate Bill 249 has been adopted and read a second time. The text includes minor formatting adjustments to the definitions of electronic smoking devices and their manufacturers, but the core policy regarding additional licensure for tobacco product licensees remains substantively unchanged.
TECHNICAL

Added status indicators showing the bill was reported favorably by the committee and adopted by the Senate.

Adjusted line numbers and spacing in the definitions section to align with the updated legislative text.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

450
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Feb 14, 2026
D Democratic36
33 Yea 3
91% Yea
R Republican13
12 Yea 1
92% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 415
executive
Apr 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Economic Matters
lower
Apr 2, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (107-30-5)
house of delegates
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred Economic Matters
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Feb 14, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)
senate
Jan 16, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Pam Beidle
Pam Beidle
DDemocratic
MD
32