SF 2444 Iowa Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

A bill for an act creating regulations for cigar bars, modifying the smokefree air Act, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2444 creates an exemption for specific cigar bars from Iowa's Smokefree Air Act, directly affecting establishments that meet strict criteria. To qualify, a cigar bar must generate at least 35% of revenue from premium cigars (defined as handcrafted cigars without filters), prohibit entry to those under 21, hold specific alcohol and tobacco licenses, maintain a minimum humidor capacity, and clearly post smoking policies. The bill requires annual verification of revenue sources to maintain the exemption, with violations subject to civil penalties up to $5,000 for repeat offenses within a year. This policy change allows smoking in these designated venues while maintaining public health protections for other indoor spaces.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 23, 2026 Last action Mar 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Reprinted · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was reprinted with significant substantive changes, including the addition of a new requirement that cigar bars cannot prepare food for consumption on the premises. The bill also includes a new Senate approval date and updated formatting consistent with final legislative text.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on creating regulations for cigar bars and modifying the smokefree air Act, but the definition of a cigar bar was expanded to include a prohibition on preparing food on the premises.
REQUIREMENT

Added a new criterion requiring cigar bars to not prepare food for consumption on the premises of the place of business.

TECHNICAL

Added Senate approval date (March 9, 2026) and updated formatting to reflect final legislative text with proper page numbering and section headers.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'cigar bar' was expanded from 8 criteria to 9 criteria by adding the food preparation prohibition.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

2816
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 49
Mar 9, 2026
D Democratic15
1 Yea 13 Nay 1
86% Nay
R Republican34
27 Yea 3 Nay 4
79% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Mar 19, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage.
legislature
Mar 17, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 03/18/2026 12:30PM RM 19.
legislature
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee: Lundgren, Determann and McBurney.
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, yeas 27, nays 18.
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amendment S-5063 adopted.
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
Amendment S-5063 filed.
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee report, approving bill.
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, placed on calendar.
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.