# Virginia HB308: Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. Virginia HB308, Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc., is a 2026 Regular Session House bill sponsored by Patrick A. Hope (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB308-2026 - As of: 2026-10-12 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Virginia HB308 - State: Virginia - Session: 2026 Regular Session - Title: Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-01-09 - Last action: 2026-04-22, Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A) - Sponsor: Patrick A. Hope (Democratic) - Cosponsors: 0 - Touches household money: yes - Roll calls: 18 (570 yes, 104 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 23 ## Summary Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers; purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products; penalties; report. Transitions and provides a more comprehensive structure for the current licensing and enforcement responsibilities related to liquid nicotine and retail tobacco products from the Department of Taxation to a permitting system administered by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. The bill requires the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage and Control Authority to conduct an unannounced buyer operation at least once every 24 months to verify a permittee, defined in the bill, is not selling retail tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age. Portions of the bill have a delayed effective date of October 1, 2026. This bill is identical to SB 620. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - Consumers gain enforcement for tobacco violations: benefit, low. Violations of the listed tobacco and nicotine requirements count as prohibited practices under Virginia’s consumer protection law. Beginning October 1, 2026, violations of the liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor product chapter also fall under that law. These changes bring covered conduct into the s… - Nicotine businesses lose separate licensing requirement: benefit, low. The law removes the separate Department license for each location handling or selling liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products. It also removes that license’s applications, background checks, renewals, and license-term rules. The former $400 penalty for operating without that separate license is… - Virginia funds regular underage tobacco checks: benefit, low. Virginia establishes a Retail Tobacco Enforcement Fund whose unused money remains available rather than reverting to the general treasury. Money is limited to permit administration, enforcement, unannounced compliance checks, and related costs; no fund amount is specified. Expenditures require a wr… - Nicotine sellers face checks and license penalties: cost, high. Liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor sellers inside or outside Virginia must verify buyers’ legal age. For buyers appearing under 30, sellers must check government photo identification or use an independent database service for orders. Underage sales and sales without a valid license carry minimum pe… - Tobacco sellers face stricter age checks: cost, high. Sellers may not knowingly, or with reason to believe, sell tobacco or smoking-hemp products to someone under 21; vending-machine sales are prohibited. In-person sales require government photo identification proving age 21; tobacco rules also require checks for buyers appearing under 30, with a ciga… - Tobacco buyers must use authorized sellers: cost, medium. People in Virginia must buy retail tobacco products from an authorized retail tobacco permit holder. Buying from an unauthorized seller is a Class 1 misdemeanor. This rule places criminal liability on the buyer, not just the seller. - Nicotine products face directory sales limits: cost, medium. The law states a December 31, 2025 start for banning sales, distribution, resale imports, and retail offers of unlisted nicotine products. The supplied effective date for this provision is October 1, 2026, distinct from that stated start date. Retailers, distributors, and wholesalers have 60 days a… - Tobacco shoppers face tighter delivery limits: cost, medium. Liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor products ordered online may be delivered only to a retail dealer, not directly to consumers. Before a first cigarette delivery sale, the seller must obtain a signed certification that the buyer is at least 21. The certification must also confirm the address and inc… - New tobacco shops face local location limits: cost, medium. Virginia localities may adopt ordinances regulating tobacco retailers and sellers of hemp products intended for smoking. They may prohibit covered locations within 1,000 linear feet of a child day center or public, private, or parochial school. This authority does not affect qualifying licensees or… - Tobacco retailers face permit loss: cost, medium. The Board may deny permits for applicants under 21, listed convictions, false information, hidden ownership, weak financial responsibility, or unsuitable premises. Listed conduct by owners or officers can also disqualify an applicant. It may suspend or revoke permits for tobacco violations, fraud,… - Tobacco retailers must allow records inspections: cost, medium. Tobacco retailers must allow Board agents to inspect premises and business records during reasonable hours. Record checks generally occur from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or public business hours when those hours do not fit. Records unavailable for an inspection at another time must be provided within 24 hou… - Tobacco retailers need location-based permits: cost, medium. Retailers must apply to Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board before selling covered tobacco, nicotine, vaping products, components, or accessories. Businesses selling only cigars and pipe tobacco are excluded, as are FDA-authorized medical products. Applications require a sworn statement and… - Tobacco retailers pay application and renewal fees: cost, medium. A tobacco permit application costs a nonrefundable $400, or $300 for applicants holding the specified alcoholic-beverage license. Fingerprint costs and the state permit fee are additional; the Board sets an annual renewal fee not stated here. Each location needs a separate, nontransferable, posted… - Under-21 tobacco possession and gifts restricted: cost, low. People under 21 may not possess covered tobacco products or hemp products intended for smoking. Exceptions cover employment deliveries, qualifying approved research, and law-enforcement duties. Products may be seized and forfeited when lawful possession is not established; seizure is the sole penal… - Retailers must clear stock after permit loss: cost, low. Retailers whose tobacco permits are suspended or revoked have 60 days to dispose of covered stock through authorized sales. For other permit endings, the Board sets a period of at least 60 days. Allowed channels include qualifying resale transactions in Virginia or outside the state, with any requi… - Smoking products require sealed packages and warnings: cost, low. Cigarettes and hemp products intended for smoking must be sold in manufacturer-sealed packages bearing required health warnings. Retailers offering tobacco or smoking-hemp products must post clear signs prohibiting sales to people under 21. Localities may seek civil penalties up to $500; recovered… - Higher fees and rules for nicotine manufacturers: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, manufacturers must certify each liquid nicotine or nicotine vapor product sold at retail in Virginia annually. Products must have FDA marketing approval, have been marketed in the United States as of August 8, 2016, or have a qualifying application filed by September 9, 2… - Tobacco sellers face training and tougher penalties: cost, low. Beginning October 1, 2026, tobacco retailers must attest that employees received training on tobacco laws, age-21 sales rules, acceptable identification, and penalties. Liquid nicotine and nicotine vapor retailers and wholesalers face scheduled or unannounced checks by the Attorney General or an ag… - Tobacco sellers face licensing and tax records: cost, low. Sellers inside or outside Virginia must get a license for remote cigar or pipe tobacco sales to Virginia consumers. Sellers must check whether they meet Virginia’s business activity thresholds. Those meeting the thresholds must register for a dealer’s certificate and collect and remit excise tax. S… - Tobacco retailers face penalties and settlement options: mixed, high. When suspending a permit, the Board may impose penalties capped at $2,000 for a first violation and $5,000 for a second. Sales to prohibited buyers raise those caps to $3,000 and $6,000; violation counts use a five-year lookback. Investigation and proceeding costs may reach $25,000. The Board may o… - Removed nicotine products trigger refunds and deadlines: mixed, medium. Beginning October 1, 2026, manufacturers have 10 business days after noncompliance notice to show eligibility for the product directory. After removal, retailers, distributors, and wholesalers have 30 days to sell the product or return it for disposal. Sellers must notify purchasers at delivery and… - Temporary tobacco permits carry fees and limits: mixed, low. The Virginia ABC Board can grant temporary tobacco permits so qualifying buyers or new operators can continue business while seeking regular permits. Qualifying auction buyers or people entitled to possession can receive up to 60 days, with longer periods allowed by the Board. Operators taking cont… - Tobacco seller lists balance access and privacy: mixed, low. The Tax Commissioner must share identifying tobacco-retailer information with the Board to maintain an enforcement list. The Board may use that information only for the list; disclosure is restricted, with stated government, law-enforcement, licensing, and penalty exceptions. Improper disclosure an… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - Sponsor: Patrick A. Hope (Democratic), House ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-04-22 | House | House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote | pass | 99 | 0 | | | 2026-04-22 | Senate | Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 37 | 2 | | | 2026-03-14 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 94 | 2 | | | 2026-03-13 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 37 | 2 | | | 2026-03-11 | Senate | Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 | | | 2026-03-10 | House | Senate substitute rejected by House | fail | 1 | 97 | | | 2026-03-09 | Senate | Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 | | | 2026-03-09 | Senate | Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-09 | Senate | Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 | | | 2026-03-05 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 | | | 2026-03-04 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute | pass | 15 | 0 | | | 2026-02-27 | Senate | Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 15 | 0 | | | 2026-02-17 | House | Read third time and passed House | pass | 95 | 0 | | | 2026-02-13 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) | pass | 7 | 0 | | | 2026-02-13 | House | Reported from Appropriations with amendment(s) | pass | 22 | 0 | | | 2026-02-05 | House | Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations | pass | 21 | 0 | | | 2026-02-03 | House | Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations | pass | 8 | 1 | | ## Actions (63) - 2026-04-22: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-04-22: House concurred in Governor's recommendation Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-04-22: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1044) (Governor) - 2026-04-22: Reenrolled bill text (HB308ER2) (House) - 2026-04-22: Approved by Governor - Chapter 1044 (effective - see bill) (Governor) - 2026-04-22: Signed by President (Senate) - 2026-04-22: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2026-04-22: Governor's recommendation adopted (Governor) - 2026-04-12: Governor's recommendation received by House (Governor) - 2026-04-07: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB308) (House) - 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor) - 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (House) - 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House) - 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB308ER) (House) - 2026-03-30: Enrolled (House) - 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate) - 2026-03-14: Conference report agreed to by House (94-Y 2-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-03-13: Conference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-13: Conference Report released - 2026-03-12: House Conferees: Hope, Carroll, Fowler (House) - 2026-03-12: Conferees appointed by House (House) - 2026-03-12: House acceded to request (House) - 2026-03-12: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate) - 2026-03-12: Senate Conferees: VanValkenburg, Salim, Reeves (Senate) - 2026-03-11: Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-11: Senate requested conference committee (Senate) - 2026-03-10: Senate substitute rejected by House (House) - 2026-03-09: Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-09: Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to (Senate) - 2026-03-09: Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected (Senate) - 2026-03-09: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Senate) - 2026-03-09: Read third time (Senate) - 2026-03-06: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Committee substitute printed 26109209D-S2 (Senate) - 2026-03-05: Rules suspended (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Senate committee offered (Senate) - 2026-03-04: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N) (Senate) - 2026-02-27: Committee substitute printed 26108599D-S1 (Senate) - 2026-02-27: Senate committee offered (Senate) - 2026-02-27: Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services (Senate) - 2026-02-18: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (Senate) - 2026-02-17: Read third time and passed House (95-Y 0-N 0-A) (House) - 2026-02-16: Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended (House) - 2026-02-16: committee amendment agreed to (House) - 2026-02-16: committee substitute agreed to (House) - 2026-02-16: Read second time (House) - 2026-02-16: Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar (House) - 2026-02-15: Read first time (House) - 2026-02-13: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 0-N) (House) - 2026-02-13: Reported from Appropriations with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N) (House) - 2026-02-11: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB308) (House) - 2026-02-05: Committee substitute printed 26106706D-H1 (House) - 2026-02-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB308) (House) - 2026-02-05: Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N) (House) - 2026-02-05: Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety (House) - 2026-02-03: House subcommittee offered (House) - 2026-02-03: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 1-N) (House) - 2026-01-21: Assigned HGL sub: ABC/Gaming (House) - 2026-01-09: Referred to Committee on General Laws (House) - 2026-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103429D (House) ## Bill text - Chaptered, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225233.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225232.PDF) - Reenrolled, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220602.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220601.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-04-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219722.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219721.PDF) - Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219298.HTML) - Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214370.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214369.PDF) - Conference Report, 2026-03-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210503.HTML) - Substitute, 2026-03-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210500.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210499.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-03-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195969.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195968.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195825.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195824.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-02-27: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185471.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185718.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185470.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185717.PDF) - Engrossed, 2026-02-16: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148785.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148784.PDF) - Amendment, 2026-02-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148619.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148622.HTML) - Substitute, 2026-02-05: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1131671.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1131670.PDF) - Substitute, 2026-02-03: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115402.HTML), [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115058.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115401.PDF), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115057.PDF) - Introduced, 2026-01-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083827.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083826.PDF) ## Related bills - HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed) - HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed) - HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed) - HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed) - HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed) ## Sources - [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225233.HTML) - [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225232.PDF) - [Reenrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220602.HTML) - [Reenrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220601.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219722.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219721.PDF) - [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219298.HTML) - [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214370.HTML) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1214369.PDF) - [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210503.HTML) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210500.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1210499.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195969.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195968.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195825.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1195824.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185471.HTML) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185718.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185470.PDF) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1185717.PDF) - [Engrossed (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148785.HTML) - [Engrossed (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148784.PDF) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148619.HTML) - [Amendment (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148622.HTML) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1131671.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1131670.PDF) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115402.HTML) - [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115058.HTML) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115401.PDF) - [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1115057.PDF) - [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083827.HTML) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1083826.PDF) ## Related - [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026) - [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026) - [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026) - [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026) - [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026) - [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026) - [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills) - [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB308-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).