Indiana legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Indiana SB185: Alcohol and tobacco matters.
Status: Chaptered, March 12, 2026
Specifies, with respect to a tobacco sales certificate (certificate), that a permitted premises may not include sleeping or living quarters. Provides that a person may not sell a tobacco product or electronic cigarette at wholesale without a certificate. Adds additional information an applicant must provide to the alcohol and tobacco commission (commission) when applying for a certificate. Provides, with one exception, that the commission shall not issue a certificate to a retail location where a certificate was revoked within one year prior to the application. Specifies the circumstances under which the commission must either suspend or revoke a certificate if the certificate holder's employees violate employee identification requirements three or more times in one year. Makes it a Class C infraction for a certificate holder or employee to violate particular identification requirements. Modifies the application of certain statutes concerning vapor pens and e-liquid. Establishes various requirements and penalties applicable to e-liquid, e-liquid products, and vapor devices, including restrictions on the manufacture, sourcing, possession, sale, and distribution of foreign adversary products. Specifies that certain provisions concerning vapor pens and e-liquid do not authorize the manufacturing, sale, possession, or use of a controlled substance or any product containing a controlled substance. Amends the requirements for an initial and renewal application to manufacture e-liquids or e-liquid products. Requires, in a provision concerning the sale of cigarettes, that a buydown be considered in determining the cost to the retailer or cost to the distributor. Specifies an exception. Adds the sale of alcohol without a permit to the violations which may constitute racketeering activity. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal sale of tobacco products from six violations in a year to three violations in a year. Changes the infraction of the habitual illegal entrance
What the bill says
An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning alcohol and tobacco.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning alcohol and tobacco. SECTION 1. IC 7.1-3-18.5-1, AS AMENDED BY P.L.32-2019, SECTION 11, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 1. (a) A person may not sell or otherwise distribute in exchange for consideration a tobacco product or electronic cigarette at retail or wholesale without a valid tobacco sales certificate issued by the commission. (b) A certificate may be issued only to a person who owns or operates at least one (1) of the following: (1) A premises consisting of a permanent building or structure where the tobacco product or electronic cigarette is sold or distributed. (2) A premises upon which a cigarette vending machine is located. (c) For purposes of subsection (b)(1), a permitted premises may not include sleeping or living quarters. SECTION 2. IC 7.1-3-18.5-1.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026]: Sec. 1.5. (a) A person may not sell tobacco products or electronic cigarettes at wholesale or participate in the wholesale distribution of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes without a valid wholesale tobacco sales certificate issued by the commission. SEA 185 -- CC 1 (b) The commission may only issue a wholesale tobacco sales certificate to a person who owns or operates a wholesale …
Sponsors
- Alting, Ron (R) · primary sponsor
- Kyle Walker (R, SD-031)
- Mark Spencer (D, SD-003)
- Jean Leising (R, SD-042)
- David Niezgodski (D, SD-010)
Latest actions
- : Public Law 148
- : Signed by the Governor
- : Signed by the President Pro Tempore
- : Signed by the Speaker
- : Signed by the President of the Senate
- : Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 429: yeas 95, nays 0
- : CCR # 1 filed in the House
- : CCR # 1 filed in the Senate
- : Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 329: yeas 47, nays 0
- : Motion to dissent filed
Votes
- SB0185.05.ENGH.CCS001 (February 27, 2026): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SB0185.05.ENGH.CCH001 (February 27, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SB0185.04.COMH (February 18, 2026): 90 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SB0185.03.COMS (January 27, 2026): 45 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: AGENCIES; Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC), ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO; Tobacco and Nicotine Products, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO; Generally, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO; Alcohol Products, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO; Licenses and Permits, BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS; Generally, CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE; Offenses Against Public Health, Order, and Decency
Common questions
- What is SB185?
- SB185 is a bill in the Indiana Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Alcohol and tobacco matters.
- What does SB185 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend the Indiana Code concerning alcohol and tobacco.
- What is the status of SB185?
- Chaptered as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: Public Law 148 (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB185?
- Alting, Ron (R), with 4 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB185?
- On the Indiana Legislature website: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/185
Source: official Indiana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.