Cigar Association of America
2025 Legislative Bill Tracking
Monday, December 8, 2025 3:59 AM
| Bill (Crossfile) | Bill Title & Upcoming Hearings | Sponsor | Status | Position / Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 112 (SB 220) | Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission - Enforcement Activities - Memorandum of Understanding | Chair, Economic Matters Committee | In the House - Hearing 1/29 at 1:00 p.m. (1/16) | House Bill 112, titled "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission - Enforcement Activities - Memorandum of Understanding," proposes changes to the cooperative activities between the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission and the Comptroller of Maryland. Key provisions include:
- Repealing the requirement for a memorandum of understanding for cooperative activities in inspections and other enforcement activities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. | |
| HB 350 (SB 319) | Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026) | The Speaker | Approved by the Governor - Chapter 602; line item veto by the Governor - Section 21(56) and (61) (5/20) | Budget Bill | |
| HB 546 (SB 605) | Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax - Assessments - Appeals and Corrections | Feldmark | Approved by the Governor - Chapter 677 (5/20) | House Bill 546, titled "Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax - Assessments - Appeals and Corrections," proposes changes to the regulation of the digital advertising gross revenues tax in Maryland. Key provisions include:
- Establishing an appeal process for persons subject to the digital advertising gross revenues tax who receive a notice of assessment from the Comptroller. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and will be applicable to assessments made after December 31, 2025. | |
| HB 589 | Artificial Intelligence - Causing Injury or Death - Civil and Criminal Liability | Grammer | In the House - Hearing 2/11 at 1:00 p.m. (1/27) | House Bill 589, titled "Artificial Intelligence - Causing Injury or Death - Civil and Criminal Liability," proposes changes to the regulation of artificial intelligence software in Maryland. Key provisions include:
- Establishing strict liability for damages and civil penalties for individuals who intentionally, knowingly, or negligently design or create AI software capable of causing personal injury or death. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. | |
| HB 870 | Tobacco Product Manufacturers - Escrow Act - Alterations | Rosenberg | In the House - Hearing 2/19 at 1:00 p.m. (2/4) | Monitor | This bill applies only to NPM cigarette manufacturers only.
House Bill 870, titled "Tobacco Product Manufacturers - Escrow Act - Alterations," proposes changes to the escrow requirements for tobacco product manufacturers in Maryland. Key provisions include:
- Requiring, beginning in 2026 and each year thereafter, a certain tobacco product manufacturer to pay a certain equity fee instead of depositing certain funds in a certain escrow account.
- Authorizing a certain tobacco product manufacturer to contest the amount of the equity fee paid under certain circumstances.
- Requiring a certain tobacco product manufacturer to make a certain certification to the Attorney General each year.
The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025. |
| HB 1241 (SB 842) | Electronic Smoking Devices - Seizure and Wholesaler Record-Keeping Requirements | Amprey | In the House - Second Reading Passed with Amendments (4/7) | ||
| HB 1318 (SB 934) | Alcoholic Beverages - Premium Cigar Lounge License - Establishment (Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2025) | A. Johnson | In the House - Hearing 2/17 at 1:00 p.m. (2/7) | ||
| HB 1441 (SB 918) | Business Regulation - Electronic Smoking Devices Manufacturers - Certifications | Rogers | In the House - Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m. (2/7) | ||
| SB 220 (HB 112) | Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission - Enforcement Activities - Memorandum of Understanding | Chair, Finance Committee | In the Senate - Hearing 1/16 at 3:00 p.m. (1/9) | Senate Bill 220, titled "Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission - Enforcement Activities - Memorandum of Understanding," proposes changes to the cooperative activities between the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission and the Comptroller of Maryland. Key provisions include:
- Repealing the requirement for a memorandum of understanding for cooperative activities in inspections and other enforcement activities. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025. | |
| SB 319 (HB 350) | Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026) | The President | In the Senate - First Reading Budget and Taxation (1/15) | ||
| SB 605 (HB 546) | Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax - Assessments - Appeals and Corrections | Zucker | Approved by the Governor - Chapter 678 (5/20) | Monitor | Senate Bill 605, titled "Digital Advertising Gross Revenues Tax - Assessments - Appeals and Corrections," proposes changes to the regulation of the digital advertising gross revenues tax in Maryland. Key provisions include:
- Establishing an appeal process for persons subject to the digital advertising gross revenues tax who receive a notice of assessment from the Comptroller. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and will be applicable to assessments made after December 31, 2025. |
| SB 842 (HB 1241) | Electronic Smoking Devices - Seizure and Wholesaler Record-Keeping Requirements | Beidle | Approved by the Governor - Chapter 305 (5/6) | ||
| SB 918 (HB 1441) | Business Regulation - Electronic Smoking Devices Manufacturers - Certifications | Gile | In the Senate - Hearing 2/27 at 1:00 p.m. (2/6) | ||
| SB 934 (HB 1318) | Alcoholic Beverages - Premium Cigar Lounge License - Establishment (Maryland Premium Cigar Lounge Act of 2025) | Watson | In the Senate - Withdrawn by Sponsor (2/24) | Senate Bill 934, introduced in the Maryland General Assembly on January 28, 2025, establishes a Class C-PCL (Premium Cigar Lounge) alcoholic beverages license. Key provisions include:
1. **Eligibility**: he license is available to holders of an Other Tobacco Products Retailer License who operate establishments selling premium cigars and pipe tobacco for on-premises and off-premises use.
2. **Issuance Criteria**: local licensing boards may issue one Class C-PCL license per 150,000 residents in a county. If a county has fewer than 150,000 residents, one license may be issued.
3. **Operational Hours**: license holders are authorized to sell beer, wine, and liquor for on-premises consumption from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day, Monday through Sunday.
4. **Exemption from Clean Indoor Air Act**: licensed premises are exempt from certain provisions of the Clean Indoor Air Act, allowing smoking on the premises.
5. **Requirements for License Holders**: - **Sales Ratio**: t least 60% of daily receipts must come from the sale of premium cigars, pipe tobacco, and related accessories. - **Annual Reporting**: license holders must submit an annual sales ratio compliance report to the Executive Director and the local licensing board.
6. **Annual License Fee**: he annual fee for the license is set at $2,000.
his legislation aims to regulate and facilitate the operation of premium cigar lounges in Maryland. |