SB 620: Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. - Virginia

General Laws Substitute → Governor Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The Governor's substitute version of the bill significantly expands the scope of the legislation by adding new sections to the Code of Virginia, repealing several existing tobacco-related laws, and introducing a new chapter for hemp products. Key substantive changes include raising the age verification threshold from 21 to 30 years for certain transactions, extending the duration of temporary tobacco permits, and adding stricter penalties for violations. The bill also introduces new provisions for hemp products intended for smoking and establishes a new directory system for liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily regulating tobacco and alcohol to explicitly including hemp products intended for smoking, and the applicability of age verification requirements was broadened to cover individuals appearing to be under 30 years of age.

SCOPE

Added new sections to the Code of Virginia to regulate hemp products intended for smoking, including prohibitions on sale to minors and possession by individuals under 21.

REQUIREMENT

Raised the age verification threshold for retail tobacco transactions from 21 to 30 years of age, requiring verification of government-issued photo ID or use of fraud detection technology for anyone appearing to be under 30.

Repealed several existing sections related to tobacco product sales and age verification, replacing them with new, more comprehensive provisions.

TIMELINE

Extended the maximum duration of temporary retail tobacco permits from 60 days to 120 days in certain circumstances.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased civil penalties for selling tobacco products to minors, with higher fines for repeat violations and potential license revocation after the third offense.

Established a new directory system for liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products, requiring manufacturers to list products before they can be sold in the Commonwealth.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'hemp product' and 'hemp product intended for smoking' to align with federal regulations.

Finance and Appropriations Substitute → General Laws Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transitioned from a Senate Finance version to a General Laws version, shifting the proposing committee from Finance to General Laws and adjusting the bill's scope to repeal fewer sections of the Code of Virginia. The General Laws version simplifies the list of repealed statutes and modifies the new tobacco permit sections to include fewer grounds for refusal and different civil penalty structures compared to the Finance version.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the repeal of several specific sections (58.1-1021.06 through 58.1-1021.09 and Chapter 23.2) that were included in the Finance version but excluded in the General Laws version. Additionally, the new tobacco permit articles were adjusted to have fewer grounds for refusal and different penalty thresholds.

SCOPE

The list of repealed statutes was reduced in the General Laws version, meaning fewer existing laws are being removed compared to the Finance version.

REQUIREMENT

The grounds for refusing to grant a retail tobacco permit were simplified in the General Laws version, removing some specific disqualifying factors present in the Finance version.

ENFORCEMENT

Civil penalty amounts and suspension thresholds for tobacco retailers were adjusted in the General Laws version, with different fine structures and suspension triggers compared to the Finance version.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Bus' was updated in the General Laws version to include requirements for wireless internet services and charging stations at every seat.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was changed to reflect the House Committee on General Laws as the proposing body instead of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.

Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute → Finance and Appropriations Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was transferred from the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services to the Finance and Appropriations Committee, indicating a shift in legislative focus from social services to fiscal oversight. The text of the bill was also updated to reflect this committee change, including a new bill number and a revised effective date of January 1, 2027, while retaining the core provisions regarding tobacco regulation and penalties.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on regulating retail tobacco products, but the legislative process has moved to a committee responsible for state finances, suggesting a review of the bill's fiscal implications and budgetary impact.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the bill was changed to January 1, 2027, and the bill number was updated to 26107711D.

ELIGIBILITY

The committee proposing the bill changed from the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services to the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated to reflect the new committee assignment and associated procedural details, such as the revised bill number and date.

Enrolled → Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from an 'Enrolled' version (ready for signing) to a 'Substitute' version (amended by a Senate committee). The primary substantive change is a reduction in the scope of the bill: the new version removes several Code of Virginia sections related to tobacco and hemp regulations (specifically 58.1-1021.07, 59.1-293.12, and 59.1-293.18) that were present in the original text. Additionally, the new version shortens the range of newly added tobacco sections from 4.1-355 through 4.1-361 to 4.1-355 through 4.1-359, effectively deleting the final two sections on possession and purchasing by minors. This indicates the Senate committee scaled back the bill's reach regarding specific tobacco product regulations and minor protections.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed. The amended version no longer includes specific sections governing the possession of tobacco products by minors, the purchasing of tobacco for minors, and certain definitions and enforcement provisions related to liquid nicotine and hemp products that were in the original 'Enrolled' text.

SCOPE

Deleted sections 58.1-1021.07, 59.1-293.12, and 59.1-293.18 from the list of statutes to be amended, removing specific regulatory text regarding liquid nicotine, hemp products, and agent for service of process.

Reduced the range of new tobacco sections to be added from 4.1-355 through 4.1-361 to 4.1-355 through 4.1-359, eliminating the sections on prohibiting possession and purchasing of tobacco products by persons under 21.

TIMELINE

Changed the document status from 'Enrolled' (approved and ready for the Governor) to 'Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute' (proposed by the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services), indicating the bill is still under legislative review and subject to further changes.

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 31, 2026

MODERATE

This bill updates Virginia's alcohol and tobacco regulations by adding new definitions for modern products like 'buses' and 'electronic smoking devices,' establishing a new fund to finance tobacco enforcement, and creating a mandatory registry for liquid nicotine manufacturers. It also introduces stricter age verification requirements and specific penalties for selling to minors, while repealing older, redundant tobacco laws.

Scope change

The bill expands the regulatory scope to include new product categories (such as electronic smoking devices and specific bus definitions) and adds a new administrative mechanism (the Retail Tobacco Enforcement Fund) to support enforcement efforts.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Bus' (requiring wireless internet and charging stations) and 'Electronic smoking device' to ensure modern products are covered under existing alcohol and tobacco laws.

FISCAL

Created the 'Retail Tobacco Enforcement Fund' to specifically finance the costs of tobacco retail permit administration, compliance checks, and enforcement programs.

REQUIREMENT

Established a mandatory directory and certification system for manufacturers of liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor products, requiring them to list with the Attorney General by December 31, 2026.

Strengthened age verification rules, requiring retailers to use fraud detection software or scanners for customers appearing under 30 years of age.

ENFORCEMENT

Mandated that the Alcohol Beverage Control Authority conduct unannounced underage buyer operations at least once every 24 months for every tobacco permit holder.

TECHNICAL

Repealed several older sections of the Code of Virginia related to tobacco and alcohol control that were superseded by the new, more specific articles added by this bill.

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

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