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Bill > SB245


KY SB245

KY SB245
AN ACT relating to tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product licensure and declaring an emergency.


summary

Introduced
02/25/2026
In Committee
03/27/2026
Crossed Over
03/10/2026
Passed
03/31/2026
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Create a new section of KRS 438.305 to 438.350 to establish application form requirements for a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license; prohibit the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control from establishing any additional licensure requirements beyond those prescribed in statute; require the department to publish and maintain on its website the components required for a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license; amend various sections of KRS 438.305 to 438.350 to require the Secretary of State to notify retailers that a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license is required to sell authorized nicotine vapor products; establish application requirements for a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license; require the department to publish the application form on its website within 30 days of the effective date of this Act; require the licensing fee to be refunded to the applicant if a license is not issued; require a licensure renewal form and a licensing fee to be remitted to the department upon the renewal of a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license; define "batch license"; allow a retailer with a license issued by the department under KRS Chapter 243 to renew a tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license on the date of its next renewal; allow an applicant or licensee to batch license using a singular application or renewal form; allow a licensee to batch license on the date of its next alcohol licensure renewal or 1 year from the date of issuance of its tobacco, nicotine, or vapor product license; require an applicant or licensee who chooses to batch license to multiply the licensure fee by the number of locations to be licensed or premises to be renewed; require the department to establish a singular application and renewal form for a batch license; allow the department to require a supplemental form for batch licensing if an alcohol license requires further information; grant a grace period to applicants for any error identified in an application by the department; establish requirements for a change of ownership; establish grounds for denial of an application; require the department to promulgate administrative regulations relating to tobacco, nicotine, and vapor licensing within 30 days of the effective date of this Act; repeal KRS 438.3065, which establishes transitional licensing; prohibit this Act from delaying enforcement; require any retailer selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products in Kentucky that does not currently hold a license to remit the initial application form and licensing fee within 60 days of the effective date of this Act; credit a licensee's 2025 licensing fee to the licensee's upcoming licensing fee payment for 2026; RETROACTIVE, in part, to January 1, 2026; EMERGENCY.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a comprehensive licensing system for retailers selling tobacco, nicotine, or vapor products, with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) overseeing the process and prohibiting them from imposing any requirements beyond those specified in the law. It mandates that the ABC publish and maintain the necessary application components for these licenses online, and requires the Secretary of State to inform retailers about the need for a license to sell authorized nicotine vapor products. The bill outlines specific application requirements, including details about the applicant, business, and premises, and mandates that the ABC publish the application form online within 30 days of the bill's enactment, with licensing fees to be refunded if a license is not issued. It also introduces a "batch license" option, allowing retailers to apply for or renew multiple licenses for different locations or combine tobacco/nicotine/vapor product license renewals with existing alcohol license renewals using a single form, with fees adjusted accordingly. The bill provides a grace period for applicants to correct errors and sets requirements for changes in ownership, while also establishing grounds for license denial and requiring the ABC to create administrative regulations for licensing within 30 days. It repeals a transitional licensing provision and emphasizes that the Act will not delay enforcement of certain provisions, requiring retailers without a current license to apply within 60 days of the Act's effective date. Additionally, it credits 2025 licensing fees towards 2026 renewal payments and declares an emergency, making the Act effective immediately upon passage.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

delivered to Governor (on 03/31/2026)

bill text


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