An Act to Create an Exception to the Prohibition of Tobacco Sales in Retail Establishments Containing Pharmacies for Certain Small Grocery Stores
Sponsored By: Glenn Curry
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Small grocers gain tobacco license access
Beginning April 1, 2026, qualifying Maine grocery stores containing pharmacies can obtain tobacco sales licenses. Stores must operate mainly as grocers and have no more than 26,000 square feet of indoor customer-accessible sales area. That area excludes stockrooms, offices, restrooms, mechanical rooms, and the pharmacy’s leased space. Grocers must offer varied foods for home preparation and consumption, including perishables, and get a substantial share of sales from food. The pharmacy must occupy a separate space under a written lease and hold a separate pharmacy license. It must have been established by lease at the same location before July 7, 2025. Tobacco sales must occur outside the pharmacy, using the store’s separate checkout system and inventory. Stores must also follow all other tobacco licensing rules. Pharmacies themselves and stores outside this exception remain barred from holding tobacco licenses. Selling tobacco or keeping it for sale in violation of the ban carries fines up to $2,000 per day. Each day counts as a separate offense. The violation wording no longer expressly lists free distribution or giving tobacco away.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Glenn Curry
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 580
3/19/2026PASSED TO BE ENACTED - Emergency - 2/3 Elected Required, in concurrence.
3/17/2026SenateThis being an emergency measure, a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to the House was necessary.PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/12/2026HouseCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (S-521).In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
3/10/2026HouseCOMMITTEE ON BILLS IN THE SECOND READING REPORTS NO FURTHER VERBAL AMENDMENTS NECESSARY. REPORT ACCEPTED.READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (S-521)Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence.
3/5/2026SenateReport READ and ACCEPTED.Bill READ ONCE. Committee Amendment "A" (S-521) READ and ADOPTED. ASSIGNED FOR SECOND READING NEXT LEGISLATIVE DAY.
3/3/2026SenateThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.In concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
1/7/2026HouseCommittee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES suggested and ordered printed REFERENCE to the Committee on HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Ordered sent down forthwith for concurrence
1/7/2026Senate
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (S-521), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
Related Bills
LD 1522, An Act to Establish the Maine Eviction Prevention Program
LD 1665, An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Maine Families
LD 1872, An Act to Reinvest in the Pension Funds of the Maine Public Employees Retirement System
LD 2067, An Act to Include Community Mental Health Workers Under the 1998 Special Plan for Retirement
LD 1611, An Act to Decrease the Retirement Contributions Required for Teachers and State Employees
LD 1294, An Act to Expand the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit