HB 302: TOBACCO/TOBACCO PRODUCTS: Prohibits the sale of vapor products near schools - Louisiana

HB302 Enrolled → HB302 Original · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was restructured between versions: the Original creates a new standalone section (R.S. 26:902.1) imposing a blanket state-level prohibition on vapor product permits within 300 feet of schools, while the Enrolled version instead amends existing law (R.S. 26:911(A)(7)) and makes the prohibition conditional on local municipal or parish ordinance adoption. The Enrolled version also adds a marijuana exemption and shifts authority over alternate measurement methods from the state commissioner to local governments.

SCOPE

The Original bill creates a new standalone section R.S. 26:902.1 that automatically prohibits vapor product permits within 300 feet of schools statewide. The Enrolled version instead amends existing R.S. 26:911(A)(7) and only applies the prohibition 'when prohibited by municipal or parish ordinance,' making local action a prerequisite.

REQUIREMENT

The Original imposes the 300-foot restriction as a blanket state rule requiring no local action. The Enrolled version requires a municipality or parish to first adopt an ordinance before the distance restriction takes effect on licensed premises in that jurisdiction.

ENFORCEMENT

In the Original, the state commissioner has authority to adopt an alternate straight-line measurement method for the 300-foot limit. In the Enrolled version, this authority is delegated to municipalities or parishes, which may adopt their own ordinances establishing the alternate method.

ELIGIBILITY

The Enrolled version includes a marijuana exemption (subparagraph d) stating the provisions do not apply to lawful marijuana or marijuana products under R.S. 40:1046 et seq. This exemption is absent from the Original version.

HB302 Original → HB302 Act 792 · 5 edits

MODERATE

HB 302 was substantially restructured between its original and enrolled versions. The bill moved from creating a new standalone statute (R.S. 26:902.1) that automatically prohibited issuing vapor product permits within 300 feet of schools, to amending an existing statute (R.S. 26:911(A)(7)) that prohibits the sale, storage, or stocking of vapor products near schools only when a local municipality or parish has adopted an ordinance doing so. This shifts the regulatory trigger from a blanket state-level ban to a locally-adopted prohibition, and adds an explicit exemption for marijuana products.

SCOPE

The bill moved from a new standalone section (R.S. 26:902.1) to an amendment of existing law (R.S. 26:911(A)(7)), changing it from a permit-issuance restriction to a list of prohibited acts on licensed premises.

The enrolled version explicitly states that the provisions apply to any already-licensed premises upon adoption of the local ordinance, meaning existing businesses can be affected, not just new permit applicants.

ELIGIBILITY

The original version imposed an automatic state-wide prohibition on issuing vapor product permits within 300 feet of schools. The enrolled version makes the prohibition conditional: it only applies when a municipality or parish has adopted an ordinance prohibiting the sale, storage, or stocking of vapor products near schools.

A new exemption was added in subsection (d) stating the provisions do not apply to lawful marijuana or marijuana products authorized under R.S. 40:1046 et seq. and regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health.

ENFORCEMENT

Authority to adopt an alternate straight-line measurement method shifted from the state commissioner (original) to municipalities or parishes via local ordinance (enrolled).

HB302 Reengrossed → HB302 Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MINOR

HB 302 moved from Reengrossed to Enrolled status, meaning it was approved by both chambers and sent to the governor. The only substantive policy change is the addition of a new subsection (d) that exempts lawful marijuana products regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health from the vapor product restrictions near schools. All other changes are procedural: removal of the digest and amendment summary, addition of signature lines, and page renumbering.

SCOPE

New subsection (d) carves out an exemption: the 300-foot restriction on vapor products near schools does not apply to lawful marijuana or marijuana products authorized under R.S. 40:1046 et seq. and regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health.

TECHNICAL

The House Legislative Services digest and the Summary of Amendments Adopted by House were removed, as these are not part of the final enrolled legislative instrument.

Signature lines for the Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and Governor of Louisiana were added along with an APPROVED line, reflecting the bill's final enactment status.

HB302 Enrolled → HB302 Act 792 · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was formally enacted into law as Act No. 792, transitioning from its enrolled draft status. The primary change is the addition of the official Act number and session details, while the substantive text of the bill remains unchanged.

TECHNICAL

Added the official Act number (792) and session identifier to the header, finalizing the bill's legal citation.

HB302 Original → HB302 Enrolled · 3 edits · Jun 9, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized into its enrolled version, removing the original digest and explanatory notes while retaining the core legislative text. The substantive policy remains focused on prohibiting the sale of vapor products near schools, but the final text clarifies that this prohibition does not apply to lawful marijuana products regulated by the state Department of Health.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by adding a specific exemption for lawful marijuana products, which were not explicitly excluded in the original draft.

TECHNICAL

Removed the original digest, abstract, and explanatory notes that described the bill's intent and previous law.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific exemption stating that the vapor product sales prohibition does not apply to lawful marijuana or marijuana products authorized under state law.

DEFINITION

Updated the list of prohibited products to explicitly include 'alternative nicotine products' alongside vapor products.

HB302 Reengrossed → HB302 Original · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was renumbered from R.S. 26:911(A)(7) to R.S. 26:902.1 and reorganized to clarify that the state commissioner, rather than local governments, has the authority to adopt an alternative straight-line measurement method for the 300-foot restriction zone.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding enforcement authority shifted from local municipalities/parishes to the state commissioner, while the core prohibition on selling vapor products near schools remains the same.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the authority responsible for adopting the alternative straight-line measurement method from local municipalities/parishes to the state commissioner.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the statutory text and renumbered the section from R.S. 26:911(A)(7) to R.S. 26:902.1.

HB302 Engrossed → HB302 Reengrossed · 3 edits · May 20, 2026

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to clarify and expand the prohibition on selling vapor products near schools. The changes shift the primary restriction from a permit issuance ban to a ban on the actual sale, storage, and maintenance of stock, but only if a local municipality or parish has adopted an ordinance prohibiting it. Additionally, the measurement method for the 300-foot distance was updated to allow local governments to choose between walking along sidewalks or measuring in a straight line.

Scope change

The bill's applicability now depends on local ordinances; the prohibition applies only in areas where a municipality or parish has passed an ordinance banning vapor products within 300 feet of a school.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the restriction from prohibiting the issuance of permits to prohibiting the sale, storage, and maintenance of vapor products on licensed premises.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a condition that the prohibition applies only when a specific municipal or parish ordinance forbids the sale within the 300-foot zone.

TECHNICAL

Updated the measurement method to allow local governments to choose between measuring along sidewalks or in a straight line for the 300-foot distance.

TOBACCO/TOBACCO PRODUCTS: Prohibits the sale of vapor products near schools

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