All Roll Calls
Yes: 373 • No: 1
LouisianaHB 7822026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
FEES/LICENSES/PERMITS: Provides relative to vapor products, alternative nicotine products, and modified risk tobacco products (EN DECREASE GF RV See Note)
Sponsored By: Ken Brass (Democratic)
Became Law
Judiciary BJudiciary
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
Tobacco sellers pay fees and verify permits
Annual permit fees are $100 for retailers, $300 for wholesalers, $300 for vending machine operators, and $20 per machine. The fees apply even for part of a year, and the schedule is subject to state regulations. Before each resale transaction, wholesalers must check that the retailer has a valid registration certificate or a valid, unsuspended permit. This check covers tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products.
Health-regulated activities keep their exemption
The law exempts lawful activities authorized under R.S. 40:1046 et seq. or R.S. 40:966(F) from this regulatory chapter. The Louisiana Department of Health must also regulate the activity. Both conditions must be met.
Lower taxes on qualifying tobacco products
The law cuts taxes under R.S. 47:841(B) by 65% for qualifying modified risk tobacco products. The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services must formally determine that the product qualifies under federal law. The remaining tax is 35% of the amount before the reduction. The supplied text does not establish how much buyers save at checkout.
Tobacco dealers get larger stamp discounts
Qualifying dealers get a 6.5% cigarette tax-stamp discount, up from 5%, on purchases worth at least $100 in face value. Dealers must be bonded and registered in Louisiana, hold a valid stamping-agent designation, and have a direct manufacturer purchasing contract. The discount also applies when a metered stamping machine or device is used. Qualifying wholesale dealers get an additional 10% stamp discount for products federally determined to be modified risk tobacco products. The supplied text does not specify the calculation base for that extra discount or establish household price savings.
Louisiana bans nicotine-like product sales
People cannot sell, give, serve, deliver, or otherwise supply products containing a nicotine analogue to others in Louisiana. This means a substance with a nicotine-like chemical structure or a claimed similar or greater effect on the central nervous system. Marketing and intent to avoid the law help determine whether a substance qualifies.
Nicotine sellers face inspections and seizures
Louisiana's alcohol and tobacco commissioner must periodically inspect permitted businesses and locations reasonably suspected of selling covered products without permits. Serious violations, or violations after a warning, can bring fines, permit suspension, or permit loss. Vapor and alternative nicotine products bought, offered, or sold in violation of the chapter can be seized and destroyed or otherwise disposed of. The person whose products are taken pays seizure and disposal costs. The commissioner must provide an invoice within 21 days after disposal; payment is due within 21 days after receipt.
Tobacco sellers face higher civil fines
General first-offense fines range from $50 to $1,000, with the maximum raised from $500. The third-offense maximum rises from $2,500 to $4,000 for offenses within two years of the first. Separate fines under R.S. 26:913 are $500–$1,000, $1,000–$2,000, and $2,000–$4,000 for first, second, and third offenses. Those second and third offenses must occur within two years of the first; these fines go to the state treasury. Fines can replace or accompany permit suspension or revocation; directory-rule violations outside the special penalty schedule now use general civil penalties instead of the former $500 fine.
Unlisted nicotine products bring steep penalties
Selling, offering, possessing, or transporting covered products not listed on Louisiana's sales directory brings a $1,000 first-offense fine. A second offense brings a $2,000 fine and a six-month permit suspension. A third brings a $4,500 fine and permit revocation. Second and third offenses must occur within two years of the first offense. Each product unit counts as a separate violation.
Unlisted-product sellers risk lawsuits and lost profits
The commissioner or attorney general can sue to enforce the chapter and recover investigation, expert-witness, court-action, and reasonable attorney costs. When a court finds unlisted-product sales or distribution in Louisiana or to Louisiana buyers, it must order profits and other gains surrendered. A second or later directory-law violation counts as an unfair and deceptive trade practice. Fines under this section fund specified inspections and enforcement actions. Remaining surrendered funds compensate the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control for enforcement costs.
Vapor businesses face separate sales roles
Louisiana-permitted vapor manufacturers cannot hold retail or wholesale permits, hold financial interests in those dealers, or sell or ship directly to retailers or consumers. Wholesalers cannot hold retail permits, but they can supply affiliated permitted retailers. Affiliation means one business controls another, directly or indirectly, or both share common control. Retailers cannot hold wholesale permits and must buy vapor products only from Louisiana-permitted wholesalers. These rules exclude qualifying lawful marijuana products regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ken Brass
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Adrian Fisher
Democratic • House
Alonzo L. Knox
Democratic • House
Beth Anne Billings
Republican • House
C. Travis Johnson
Democratic • House
Emily Chenevert
Republican • House
Jack "Jay" William Gallé Jr.
Republican • House
Jessica Domangue
Republican • House
Kathy Edmonston
Republican • House
Kim Carver
Republican • House
Kyle M. Green Jr.
Democratic • House
Robby Carter
Democratic • House
Shane Mack
Republican • House
Stephanie H. Berault
Republican • House
Steven Jackson
Democratic • House
Tehmi Jahi Chassion
Democratic • House
Terry Landry Jr.
Democratic • House
Tony Bacala
Republican • House
Troy Jude Hebert
Republican • House
Vanessa Caston LaFleur
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/20/2026
Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. Having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, the Conference Committee Report was adopted.
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/20/2026
Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays.
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 5/13/2026
Read by title, roll called, yeas 98, nays 0, Senate amendments rejected, conference committee appointment pending.
Yes: 98 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/11/2026
Rules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
Yes: 34 • No: 0
House vote • 4/7/2026
Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 100, nays 1. The bill, having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, was finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.
Yes: 100 • No: 1
House vote • 3/26/2026
Reported with amendments
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Becomes Act No. 920 without the Governor's signature.
6/23/2026HouseEffective date: 08/01/2026.
6/23/2026HouseSent to the Governor for executive approval.
5/26/2026HouseNotice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.
5/25/2026HouseEnrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.
5/25/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate.
5/25/2026SenateSenate conference committee members appointed: McMath, Price, and Reese.
5/20/2026SenateNotice of Senate conferees appointed.
5/20/2026HouseConference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.
5/20/2026HouseRules suspended.
5/20/2026HouseConference committee report received.
5/20/2026SenateConference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 95, nays 0. Having received two-thirds vote of the elected members, the Conference Committee Report was adopted.
5/20/2026HouseRules suspended.
5/20/2026SenateConference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays.
5/20/2026SenateNotice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.
5/20/2026SenateHouse conferees appointed: Brass, Robby Carter, and Chance Henry.
5/19/2026HouseNotice House Conference Committee members appointed.
5/19/2026SenateRead by title, returned to the calendar.
5/13/2026HouseCalled from the calendar.
5/13/2026HouseRead by title, roll called, yeas 98, nays 0, Senate amendments rejected, conference committee appointment pending.
5/13/2026HouseNotice House rejected the Senate amendments.
5/13/2026SenateReceived from the Senate with amendments.
5/12/2026HouseScheduled for concurrence on 05/13/2026.
5/12/2026HouseRules suspended. The amended bill was read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.
5/11/2026SenateReported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.
5/4/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enacted
Engrossed
Enrolled
Introduced
Reengrossed
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