HB 1215 South Dakota House · 2026 Regular Session

authorize counties and municipalities to issue a license for a cigar bar.

HB 1215 allows South Dakota counties and municipalities to issue licenses for cigar bars, directly affecting business owners seeking to operate such establishments and local governments responsible for licensing. The bill requires cigar bars to have a humidor, be fully enclosed with proper ventilation, generate at least 10% of income from cigar sales, and prohibit all tobacco products except cigars. Local governments must hold public hearings for applications and report annual cigar sales income to the Department of Revenue, while also posting clear smoking restrictions. The law explicitly excludes these venues from other liquor license limits and prohibits transferring licenses to new owners.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Signed Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Senate State Affairs Engrossed → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 11, 2026

MODERATE

This bill authorizes counties and municipalities in South Dakota to issue new licenses specifically for 'cigar bars.' It establishes strict requirements for these venues, including the need for a humidor, solid construction, and specific ventilation systems to prevent smoke from entering nonsmoking areas. The law also defines a 'cigar' strictly as a tobacco roll with a tobacco wrapper, requiring that at least 10% of the establishment's income come from cigar sales to qualify for the license.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of local licensing authority to include a new category of tobacco-related business (cigar bars) that is distinct from existing on-sale licenses, creating a specific regulatory framework for these establishments.

SCOPE

Authorized counties and municipalities to issue a new, specific license for operating a cigar bar.

ELIGIBILITY

Establishments must generate at least 10% of their annual gross income from cigar sales to qualify for the license.

REQUIREMENT

New physical requirements were added, mandating a humidor, solid walls/ceiling/doors, and a ventilation system that prevents smoke recirculation or backstreaming.

Restricted smoking to cigars purchased on the premises only and prohibited the smoking of other tobacco products.

DEFINITION

Provided a specific legal definition of 'cigar' as an individual roll of tobacco with a tobacco wrapper or cover.

ENFORCEMENT

Created a process for revoking or suspending the license if the licensee fails to meet requirements or violates tobacco laws, including mandatory public hearings and notice periods.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House Feb 9, 2026

How they voted

28–6

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 35

Mar 9, 2026

D Democratic3

2 Yea 1 Nay

66% Yea

R Republican32

26 Yea 5 Nay 1

81% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 30, 2026

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor on 2026-03-30 H.J. 578

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the President S.J. 528

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by the Speaker H.J. 560

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

House of Representatives Concurred in amendments , Passed, YEAS 63, NAYS 4 H.J. 548

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 28, NAYS 6 S.J. 496

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (28-6-1)

senate

Mar 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass Amended , Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 1 S.J. 39

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Introduced

State Affairs Motion to amend , Passed, S.J. 39 Amendment 1215F

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Introduced

First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 232

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

House of Representatives Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 59, NAYS 6 H.J. 266

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

State Affairs Do Pass , Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 1 H.J. 14

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Introduced

First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 179

lower

25 primary · 0 co-sponsors