SB 279 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Baltimore City - Cigarettes, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Smoking Devices - Enforcement and Licensure

SB 279 authorizes Baltimore City to create and enforce local laws that are stricter than state regulations for cigarettes, other tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices. It allows the Baltimore City Council to pass such laws (subject to exceptions for state-issued licenses and taxes) and the Mayor to enforce them, directly affecting local businesses selling these products and residents. The bill amends Maryland law to explicitly permit Baltimore to regulate sales and distribution with rules matching or exceeding state standards, effective October 1, 2026. It does not create new restrictions but enables the city to adopt tighter local controls.

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 19, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Baltimore City - Cigarettes, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Smoking Devices - Local Laws Authorization → Third - Baltimore City - Cigarettes, Other Tobacco Products, and Electronic Smoking Devices - Enforcement and Licensure · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift its focus from authorizing Baltimore City to create its own local tobacco laws to establishing a state-level enforcement and licensure framework. Key changes include adding a new enforcement officer role, creating a specific fee structure where 50% of Baltimore City licensure fees are distributed to a local charity, and updating existing sections to clarify how licenses are issued and enforced across the state.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a local authorization model to a state-enforced regulatory model with specific provisions for Baltimore City, including new requirements for applicants to obtain a 'licensure authorization' from the Mayor and City Council before receiving a state license.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a new role for a special enforcement officer within the Baltimore City Health Department to enforce tobacco laws and granted the Executive Director power to reprimand, suspend, or revoke licenses.

FISCAL

Established a new requirement where 50% of licensure authorization request fees collected in Baltimore City must be distributed by the Comptroller to the Family League of Baltimore City, Inc., proportional to legislative districts.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the licensing process to require applicants in Baltimore City to obtain a 'licensure authorization' from the Mayor and City Council before applying for a state license.

TECHNICAL

Added a new section (16-302.1) to the Annotated Code of Maryland to define the licensure authorization process and fee structure.

SCOPE

Removed the original language authorizing Baltimore City to enact and enforce its own local laws, replacing it with state-level enforcement provisions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2026 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 24, 2026

D Democratic36

33 Yea 3

91% Yea

R Republican13

11 Yea 2

84% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 387

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 11, 2026

Committee

Rereferred to Economic Matters

lower

Apr 11, 2026

Committee

Referred Rules and Executive Nominations

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Apr 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Apr 2, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (96-35-11)

house of delegates

Mar 24, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors