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H 3207

An Act to modify the revenue requirements for smoking bars

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Francisco Paulino

The bill lowers the qualifying revenue share for smoking bars from 51% to 33% of total revenue and adds health, safety, and quarterly reporting requirements.

Accompanied a study order, see H5205
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Bill Summary · H 3207

Summary: H 3207 — An Act to modify the revenue requirements for smoking bars

Overview

  • Bill number: H 3207
  • Title: An Act to modify the revenue requirements for smoking bars
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status / Hearing: Hearing scheduled for October 28, 2025, 1:00 PM–5:00 PM in room B-2
  • Classification: House bill; related to revenues and health/safety standards for smoking bars
  • Related bill: HD 2278 (replaces)

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to modify the current revenue standard that determines which establishments qualify as smoking bars. Specifically, it lowers the required share of revenue from tobacco products relative to total revenue, and it adds regulatory requirements to ensure health and safety standards are met.

Key provisions

1) Revenue threshold modification
- Change to threshold: Replaces the current standard of “equal to or greater than 51%” with a new threshold of “equal to or greater than 33%.”
- Impact: More establishments may qualify as smoking bars if their tobacco product revenue constitutes at least 33% of total revenue (tobacco products plus food and beverages), instead of needing 51%.

2) Health and safety standards (new requirement for eligible smoking bars)
- Smoking bars that qualify under the act must comply with health and safety standards promulgated by the Department of Public Health.
- Specifically referenced areas include:
- Ventilation requirements
- Employee safety standards
- Patron protection from secondhand smoke exposure

3) Quarterly revenue declaration (compliance reporting)
- Smoking bars must submit a quarterly declaration to the Department of Revenue demonstrating that tobacco-revenue meets the 33% threshold of total revenue.
- The quarterly report must include a breakdown of revenue from tobacco products, food, and beverages to verify ongoing compliance with the 33% rule.

4) Effective date
- The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Smoking bars: Establishments that could qualify based on the revised 33% revenue threshold. They would need to track and report revenue by category (tobacco, food, beverages) and potentially adjust business practices to maintain compliance.
  • Department of Revenue (DOR): Responsible for reviewing quarterly compliance declarations and enforcing the revenue requirement.
  • Department of Public Health (DPH): Responsible for implementing or enforcing health and safety standards related to ventilation, employee safety, and secondhand smoke protection.
  • General public/patrons and employees: Potentially protected by enhanced health/safety standards; affected by changes in which bars can allow smoking.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Revenue on February 27, 2025.
  • The Senate reportedly concurred on February 27, 2025, in the legislative actions record.
  • A formal hearing is scheduled for October 28, 2025, in Committee Room B-2 (1:00 PM–5:00 PM).

Potential implications

  • Easier qualification for smoking-bar status could broaden the number of eligible establishments.
  • New regulatory obligations may increase administrative reporting for bars and require adherence to DPH ventilation and safety standards.
  • Immediate effective date means provisions could apply promptly if enacted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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