HB 1275 Indiana House · 2025 Regular Session

Alcohol and tobacco commission matters.

Summary
Makes the following changes: (1) Expands the purpose of the Richard D. Doyle tobacco education and enforcement fund. (2) Amends type II gambling game prize limits to include sports themed gaming. (3) Replaces a reference in the definition of a "Type II gambling game" to an Indiana gaming commission memorandum with a substantive definition. (4) Eliminates the requirement that a farm winery or artisan distiller annually submit excise tax returns to the alcohol and tobacco commission (ATC). (5) Removes a phrase that requires an e-liquid to contain nicotine to be considered a "tobacco product" under provisions concerning tobacco sales certificates. (6) Amends local alcoholic beverage board members' duties to reflect electronic record keeping. (7) Requires an employee or contractor who controls entry into age restricted premises or otherwise checks an individual's proof of age to complete alcohol server training. (8) Prohibits the ATC from issuing an alcoholic beverage permit unless a person has on file with the ATC a verified list containing the name and address of each person or entity: (A) with actual authority to direct or control the operation of the permit; and (B) holding at least a 5% (instead of 2%) interest in the permit and the business conducted, or to be conducted, under it. (9) Prohibits charging an individual a cover fee to access unlimited alcoholic beverages. Allows the sale of event packages. (10) Replaces, in statutes regarding unlawful sales to minors, references to "tobacco", "e-liquid", or "electronic cigarette" with the inclusive term "tobacco product". (11) Allows a person to participate electronically in an online auction or raffle but requires alcoholic beverage prizes to be collected in person. (12) Modifies the insurance coverage requirements that apply to specified permit holders. (13) Allows specified local government entities to permit the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in certain areas if a person that has an agreement to act as concessionaire for the permitted premises applies for and secures the necessary permits. (14) Establishes requirements regarding permittee donations to qualified organizations that are permittees conducting an event. (15) Prohibits, with exceptions, the sale, use, and distribution of flavored nitrous oxide. Repeals statutes that do the following: (1) Allow the ATC to require registration of alcoholic beverage brands and other information used in advertising. (2) Require attachment of an identification marker to a keg at the time of sale. (3) Make it a Class C misdemeanor to transport an alcoholic beverage to a retailer or dealer on a Sunday.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Signed May 1, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled House Bill (H) House Bill (S) · 13 edits
MAJOR
This bill updates Indiana's alcohol and tobacco regulations by clarifying gambling game definitions, adjusting prize limits, simplifying tax filing for small producers, modernizing record-keeping requirements for local boards, and strengthening age verification training for alcohol servers. The changes aim to modernize enforcement procedures while maintaining consumer protections and regulatory oversight.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of Type II gambling games to include sports-themed games and clarifies the definition of tobacco products to include e-liquids without requiring nicotine content for sales certificate purposes.
DEFINITION

Expanded Type II gambling game definition to include sports-themed tip board and pull tab games approved by the gaming commission for professional or NCAA Division I sporting events.

Modified tobacco product definition to remove the requirement that e-liquids must contain nicotine to be considered tobacco products under sales certificate provisions.

Replaced specific references to tobacco, e-liquid, and electronic cigarette with the inclusive term 'tobacco product' in unlawful sales to minors statutes.

REQUIREMENT

Adjusted Type II gambling game prize limits, with single pull tab/punchboard/tip board prizes capped at $599 and progressive games capped at $5,000.

Eliminated the annual excise tax return filing requirement for farm wineries and artisan distillers.

Updated local alcoholic beverage board duties to reflect electronic record-keeping requirements.

Requires employees or contractors who check age for alcohol service to complete alcohol server training.

Repealed requirements for registration of alcoholic beverage brands and advertising information, as well as identification markers on kegs at time of sale.

Allows electronic participation in online auctions or raffles but requires alcoholic beverage prizes to be collected in person.

Repealed the misdemeanor provision for transporting alcoholic beverages to retailers or dealers on Sunday.

ENFORCEMENT

Requires permit holders to maintain a verified list of individuals with authority to direct or control business operations (5% interest requirement).

Prohibits charging cover fees for unlimited alcoholic beverages and allows sale of event packages.

TIMELINE

All provisions become effective July 1, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025 · House Jan 30, 2025

How they voted

3910
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 50
Apr 15, 2025
D Democratic10
9 Yea 1 Nay
90% Yea
R Republican40
30 Yea 9 Nay 1
75% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
10
Committee
2
Amendments
1
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
upper
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred with Senate amendments; Roll Call 483: yeas 86, nays 3
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 435: yeas 39, nays 10
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment #3 (Alting) prevailed; voice vote
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 53: yeas 84, nays 3
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
3 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors