Commerce Committee adopts substitute, advances House Bill 2,085

The Commerce Committee adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 2,085 and voted to recommend the substitute 'do pass' in executive session.

Chairman Castile opened the session and the committee first adopted an amendment presented by Representative Wilson that, in the committee’s words, 'deletes the words alternative nicotine products' and inserts language clarifying the bill 'will affect retail sales.' Representative Wilson described the amendment as a technical clarification of scope.

Members then considered a second amendment addressing zoning and local control. The amendment adds a grandfather clause: 'This section shall not apply to any local laws, ordinances, orders, rules, or regulations' already in place, which the amendment’s supporter said 'allows those ordinances that already exist to continue to exist.' Sponsor Representative Keithley told the committee the change is intended to make clear the bill preempts only discrete sale‑related statutes named in the bill and does not alter local zoning or restaurant smoking bans.

After adopting both committee amendments, the committee rolled them into a new House committee substitute and adopted the substitute. The clerk then called the roll on the substitute; the chair announced the roll‑call result as '9 ayes and 1 nay' and said, 'The ayes have it.' No floor action or further committee conditions were recorded during the session.

The committee proceeded to the public‑hearing portion of the agenda after completing action on HB 2,085.