Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc.

Added a new section (19.2-386.37) to the Code of Virginia to address the forfeiture of seized tobacco products.

Updated the bill's title and the list of repealed sections to include 19.2-386.21 and 59.1-293.12, respectively, ensuring consistency with the new text.

The bill's title and the list of amended Code sections were updated to correct section numbers (e.g., adding 58.1-1021.07 and removing repealed sections like 59.1-293.11) to align with the final General Laws Substitute text.

The final bill text lists additional Code sections (59.1-200, 59.1-293.10, 59.1-293.13, 59.1-293.15, and 59.1-293.21) for amendment that were missing from the Engrossed version's summary.

The bill now explicitly repeals sections 58.1-1021.06 through 58.1-1021.09 and 59.1-293.11, 59.1-293.12, and 59.1-293.14, whereas the Engrossed version only listed them for amendment.

The definition of 'Bus' was slightly modified to remove a redundant word ('Internet internet') and ensure consistent terminology.

The definition of 'Retail tobacco product' was clarified to explicitly include 'heated tobacco product' and 'pipes' in the list of items covered.

New requirements were added for age verification using fraud detection software or scanners for consumers appearing under 30 years of age.

Penalty structures for tobacco violations were refined, with specific thresholds for civil penalties and license suspensions based on the number of violations within a 36-month period.

The effective date for the act was set to January 1, 2027, with a sunset clause requiring reenactment by the 2027 Session.

The committee handling the bill changed from Rehabilitation and Social Services to Finance and Appropriations, altering the legislative oversight process.

The bill now includes new sections (4.1-254 and 4.1-355 through 4.1-361) and repeals several existing sections, indicating a significant restructuring of the regulatory framework.

Definitions for terms like 'Alcohol', 'Bus', and 'Bed and breakfast establishment' were updated or added, with some definitions showing conflicting text between the old and new versions.

Fee structures and funding allocations were modified, with some sections showing conflicting text between the old and new versions.

Enforcement mechanisms and penalties were modified, with some sections showing conflicting text between the old and new versions.

Timelines for compliance and reporting were modified, with some sections showing conflicting text between the old and new versions.

Technical formatting and numbering were modified, with some sections showing conflicting text between the old and new versions.

The document header was updated to reflect a 'House Substitute' version with a 2026 session date and a specific bill number, replacing the previous 'General Laws Substitute' header.

The layout and spacing of the text were adjusted, including the removal of the 'OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION' date and the addition of extra blank lines and centered text blocks.

The list of sections to be amended and reenacted was updated to remove repealed sections and add specific sections (58.1-1021.07, 59.1-293.12, 59.1-293.18, 59.1-293.20) that appear in the final engrossed text but were missing from the initial introduction.

Text referencing repealed sections (58.1-1021.06 through 58.1-1021.09 and Chapter 23.2) was removed from the bill's description and operative clauses.

The bill title and operative language were adjusted to reflect the corrected list of sections being amended, ensuring consistency between the bill's purpose and its actual content.