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SB 524 · 2026 · Senate · Commerce Committee

Tobacco, vape, and liquor sales rules

AI-generated

(Second New Title) relative to the sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, devices, e-liquids, or alternative nicotine products and relative to the licensure and sale of certain liquor products.

Creates fines for underage tobacco and e-cigarette violations, changes which products different liquor license holders may sell, requires tobacco licensees to report inventory and sales, and fines possession of untaxed or contraband tobacco products.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · July 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill: I. Creates a fine for a person under 21 years of age who violates the laws relative to use of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, devices, e-liquids, or alternative nicotine products. II. Changes what types of products businesses with different types of liquor licenses are able to sell. III. Requires holders of the retail tobacco licenses, tobacco products manufacturers, and tobacco products wholesalers to report inventory, loss, purchases, and sales to the liquor commission. IV. Subjects licensees found in possession of selling or delivering illegal, untaxed, or contraband tobacco products to an administrative fine equal to the amount of state tobacco tax that would have been due had the tobacco products been lawfully purchased and taxed. V. Exempts the sale of alcoholic preparations not fit for use as a beverage from regulation under the title relative to alcoholic beverages.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“The holders of the retail tobacco licenses, tobacco products manufacturers, and tobacco products wholesalers shall be required to report inventory, loss, purchases and sales to the commission.”
RSA 178:19-i
“RSA 175 through RSA 180 shall not apply to the sale of alcoholic preparations that are not fit for use as a beverage, including:”
RSA 175:5-c
“The commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA?541-A, establishing reporting requirements and procedures pursuant to this section. 259:6 Enforcement Proceedings and Penalties;”
RSA 178:19-i
“Otherwise fails to carry out in good faith the purposes of this title or if the premises are regularly the site of violence, the license of such licensee may be suspended or revoked after notice and hearing, in accordance with RSA 541-A:31-36.”
RSA 178:19-i

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Tim McGoughRPrime
  • Sen. Daniel InnisRChair· Commerce
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Bill GannonRChair· Judiciary
  • Rep. Bill BoydRClerk· Public Works and Highways
  • Rep. John HuntRChair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs
  • Rep. John PotucekRVice Chair· Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Also: Sen. Donovan FentonD, Rep. Adam PresaR, Rep. Julie MilesR

Public testimony

6 signed in online

50% support50% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 13, 2026Public hearingSenate Commerce50:14–53:493m 35slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floor5:40:43–5:44:173m 34slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0348s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0530s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0348s — failed, voice vote
  • Apr 21, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs13:34–18:124m 38slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1492h; Public Hearing; Subcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer Affairs2:16:58–2:25:048m 6slocated in the stream transcriptSubcommittee Work Session
  • Apr 29, 2026Public hearingHouse Commerce and Consumer AffairsWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1579h (NT); Executive Session
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1579h — adopted, voice vote; Amendment # 2026-1579h — adopted, voice vote
  • May 21, 2026Floor debateSenate floor57:01–57:5958slocated in the stream transcriptSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment — adopted, voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2146e Adopted — voice vote; Enrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Jun 4, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2146e — adopted, voice vote; Enrolled (in recess)

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Commerce; SJ 1
  2. Jan 13, 2026SenHearing: 01/13/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 46
  3. Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0348s, 02/05/2026; Vote 6-0; CC; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenSB 524 was Removed from the Consent Calendar; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0348s, AF, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  6. Feb 5, 2026SenSen. Innis Floor Amendment # 2026-0530s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  7. Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0530s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  8. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Commerce and Consumer Affairs HJ 5 P. 124
  9. Apr 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 04/21/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  10. Apr 21, 2026HousePublic Hearing on non-germane Amendment # 2026-1492h: 04/21/2026 10:15 am GP 229
  11. Apr 21, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/21/2026 10:30 am GP 229
  12. Apr 28, 2026HouseSubcommittee Work Session: 04/28/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  13. Apr 29, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 04/29/2026 10:00 am GP 229
  14. Apr 29, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1579h (NT) 04/29/2026 (Vote 15-0; CC) HC 19 P. 7
  15. May 14, 2026HouseAmendment # 2026-1579h: AA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 3
  16. May 14, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2026-1579h: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 3
  17. May 21, 2026SenSen. Innis Moved to Concur with the House Amendment, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
  18. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2146e: AA VV (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  19. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Bill Amendment # 2026-2146e Adopted, VV, (In recess of 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  20. Jun 4, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 06/04/2026 HJ 15
  21. Jun 4, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 06/04/2026); SJ 14
  22. Jul 2, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 07/02/2026; Chapter 259; Effective 01/01/2027

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.