Counties and municipalities can now issue licenses for cigar bars, which are enclosed establishments that sell cigars and must also hold a license for on-sale alcohol, food service, or similar businesses. A cigar bar must have proper ventilation to keep smoke out of non-smoking areas, maintain a humidor, and generate at least 10 percent of its income from cigar sales. County commissioners and city officials will review applications through a public hearing process similar to the one used for regular liquor licenses.
The amendment removes the cap allowing municipalities one additional cigar bar license per 25,000 residents, instead permitting only one cigar bar license per municipality, which NARROWS the bill's original scope. It also simplifies the definition of "cigar" by removing the ring gauge and filter requirements, changes reporting from annual Department of Revenue filings to local record-keeping over three years, and clarifies that only cigars purchased on premises may be smoked, which STRENGTHENS enforcement of the cigar bar's core business purpose.
This amendment converts the bill from an engrossed (committee-reviewed) version to an enrolled (final passed) version, making only a minor grammatical correction from "Generates" to "Generate" in the eligibility requirements. The change has no substantive impact on the bill's purpose of authorizing cigar bar licenses.
Other amendments
Signed by the Governor H.J. 578
Delivered to the Governor H.J. 574
Signed by the President S.J. 528
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 560
House of Representatives Concurred in amendments Passed, YEAS 63, NAYS 4. H.J. 548
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 28, NAYS 6. S.J. 496
State Affairs Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 1. S.J. 39
State Affairs Motion to amend S.J. 39
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate State Affairs S.J. 232
House of Representatives Do Pass Passed, YEAS 59, NAYS 6. H.J. 266
State Affairs Do Pass Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 1. H.J. 14
State Affairs Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House State Affairs H.J. 179
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Concurred in amendments
Do Pass Amended
State Affairs — Do Pass Amended
Do Pass
State Affairs — Do Pass