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HB308Introduced in the House of Delegates

Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc.

Passed

Introduced by Patrick Hope, District 1

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

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 that 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.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1044)

April 22, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

8 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

7 recorded votes · each counted separately

SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026

37

Yes

2

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker5Yes
Michael Jones77Yes
Timmy French1Yes
Mark Obenshain2Yes
Chris Head3Absent
David Suetterlein4Yes
Travis Hackworth5Yes
Todd Pillion6Yes
William Stanley7No
Mark Peake8Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103429D

  2. Referred to Committee on General Laws

  3. Assigned HGL sub: ABC/Gaming

  4. House subcommittee offered

  5. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (8-Y 1-N)

  6. Reported from General Laws with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)

  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB308)

  8. Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety

  9. Committee substitute printed 26106706D-H1

  10. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB308)

  11. Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 0-N)

  12. Reported from Appropriations with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)

  13. Read first time

  14. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

  15. Read second time

  16. committee substitute agreed to

  17. committee amendment agreed to

  18. Engrossed by House - committee substitute as amended

  19. Read third time and passed House (95-Y 0-N 0-A)

  20. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  21. Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

  22. Senate committee offered

  23. Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

  24. Committee substitute printed 26108599D-S1

  25. Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

  26. Senate committee offered

  27. Committee substitute printed 26109209D-S2

  28. Rules suspended

  29. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  30. Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

  31. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  32. Read third time

  33. Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected

  34. Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

  35. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  36. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  37. Senate substitute rejected by House

  38. Senate insisted on substitute Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  39. Senate requested conference committee

  40. House acceded to request

  41. Conferees appointed by House

  42. House Conferees: Hope, Carroll, Fowler

  43. Conferees appointed by Senate

  44. Senate Conferees: VanValkenburg, Salim, Reeves

  45. Conference Report released

  46. Conference report agreed to by Senate (37-Y 2-N 0-A)

  47. Conference report agreed to by House (94-Y 2-N 0-A)

  48. Enrolled

  49. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB308ER)

  50. Signed by President

  51. Signed by Speaker

  52. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  53. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  54. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB308)

  55. Governor's recommendation received by House

  56. House concurred in Governor's recommendation (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

  57. Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A)

  58. Governor's recommendation adopted

  59. Reenrolled bill text (HB308ER2)

  60. Signed by Speaker

  61. Signed by President

  62. Approved by Governor - Chapter 1044 (effective - see bill)

  63. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1044)

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