House approves licensing for distributors of vape and alternative nicotine products
February 15, 2026 | 2026 Legislature SD, South Dakota
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The House approved House Bill 12‑20 on Feb. 19 to require licensing for distributors of vapor and other alternative nicotine products and to update related license fees.
Representative Mulder, sponsor of the measure, said recent stakeholder discussions produced consensus that distributors of vape and alternative nicotine products should be licensed like cigarette and tobacco distributors. The bill includes a transparency provision allowing the Department of Revenue to release information about issued licenses and sets a $1,000 fee for distributor licenses. Mulder described the bill as a first step in creating a regulatory framework for these products.
No floor amendments were recorded and, after a brief opportunity for remarks, the House voted; the clerk announced ayes 40, nays 25, excused 5 and declared HB12‑20 passed.
The bill requires licensing and places distributors of nicotine alternatives on the same compliance footing as distributors of traditional tobacco products; retailers will be required to purchase from licensed distributors.
Representative Mulder, sponsor of the measure, said recent stakeholder discussions produced consensus that distributors of vape and alternative nicotine products should be licensed like cigarette and tobacco distributors. The bill includes a transparency provision allowing the Department of Revenue to release information about issued licenses and sets a $1,000 fee for distributor licenses. Mulder described the bill as a first step in creating a regulatory framework for these products.
No floor amendments were recorded and, after a brief opportunity for remarks, the House voted; the clerk announced ayes 40, nays 25, excused 5 and declared HB12‑20 passed.
The bill requires licensing and places distributors of nicotine alternatives on the same compliance footing as distributors of traditional tobacco products; retailers will be required to purchase from licensed distributors.
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