Currently in Session
The following state legislatures are meeting actively this week: Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are also meeting.
Active Legislation by State
The following legislative activity occurred from June 28 to July 3 on key issues impacting our members. Please contact us with any questions or comments you have regarding these activities.
MASSACHUSETTS H.B. 2074 – Tobacco Taxes
Sponsor: Representative Tom Sannicandro (D)
Summary: Prohibits a person engaged in the business of selling or otherwise distributing cigars for commercial purposes from selling or otherwise distributing a cigar to any person in the commonwealth unless the cigar is contained in an original package of at least five cigars. Exempts from the prohibition: the sale of cigars at retail tobacco shops; and, the sale or transfer of any cigar that has a wholesale price of more than $2.00 or a retail price of more than $2.50.
http://www.malegislature.gov/Bills/188/House/H2074
Status: Filed 1/16/2013. Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health 1/22/2013. Public hearing held 5/14/2013. Report 7/9/2013. Referred to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing 7/24/2013. Extension order filed 4/30/2014. Ordered to study 6/30/2014.
NEW JERSEY A.B. 1080 – Smoking Bans
Sponsor: Assemblymember Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)
Summary: Final version (6/23/2014): Prohibits smoking at public parks and beaches with the exemptions of golf courses and an area, not to exceed 15% of a municipal or county park or beach, dedicated as a smoking area.
Final version (6/23/2014): http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A1500/1080_R2.PDF
Senate version (5/19/2014): http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A1500/1080_R1.PDF
Introduced version: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A1500/1080_I1.PDF
Status: Filed 1/14/2014. Referred to Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee 1/16/2014. Hearing held; passed Committee 2/20/2014. Passed Assembly 3/20/2014. Sent to Senate, referred to Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee 3/24/2014. Hearing held, amended, passed Committee 5/19/2014. Amended on Senate floor 6/23/2014. Passed Senate; Assembly concurred 6/26/2014.
NEW JERSEY S.B. 602 – Tobacco Age Restrictions
Sponsor: Senator Richard Codey (D)
Summary: Raises the minimum age for purchase and sale of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices from 19 to 21. Provides that electronic smoking device is a product that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe, or any cartridge or other component of the device or related product.
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S1000/602_I1.HTM
Status: Introduced; referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee 1/14/2014. Hearing held; passed committee 6/5/2014. Passed Senate 6/30/2014.
Companion Bill: 2014 A.B. 3254