Senate Bill

SB 185

Alcohol and tobacco matters.

In plain English

Requires a tobacco sales certificate for anyone selling tobacco products or electronic cigarettes at wholesale, and bars the state from issuing one to a retail location whose certificate was revoked within the past year, with one exception. Sets new rules and penalties for e-liquid and vapor devices, including limits on foreign adversary products. Lowers the habitual illegal tobacco sale and minor entrance violations from six to three a year, and makes other changes.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

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with one exception, that the commission shall not issue a certificate to a retail location where a certificate was revoked within one year prior to the application.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 by a minor from six violations to three violations in a year. Specifies that a prohibition on the sale, use, or distribution of flavored nitrous oxide does not apply to a law enforcement agency disposing of flavored nitrous oxide by donation to a nonprofit organization.

Latest action: Public Law 148, March 12, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Ron Alting, Kyle Walker, Heath VanNatter

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Mark Spencer, Jean Leising, David Niezgodski, Ethan Manning

Roll-call votes

4 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Jan 27, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 185 - Alting - 3rd Reading

Passed

45 yes0 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 37 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 8 yes, 0 no, 2 did not vote

How each member voted

House · Feb 18, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 185 - VanNatter - 3rd Reading

Passed

90 yes0 no10 did not vote

Republicans: 61 yes, 0 no, 8 did not voteDemocrats: 28 yes, 0 no, 2 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (90)

Did not vote (10)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 185 - Alting

Passed

47 yes0 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 37 yes, 0 no, 3 did not voteDemocrats: 10 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 185 - VanNatter

Passed

95 yes0 no5 did not vote

Republicans: 65 yes, 0 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 29 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (95)

Did not vote (5)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.