The state of Nebraska currently has a tobacco tax of 20% on “cigars, cheroots, and stogie.” However, that could change thanks to Sen. Justin Wayne (D-13/Omaha), who introduced a bill that would amend the current tax to a 50 cent cap. The bill has been assigned to the Committee on Finance and can be read below. LB429 on Scribd
Each week we share some of the news that comes across our desk about upcoming legislation.. This week we have stories from Alaska, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Romania and Singapore. Alaska – The Alaska Senate is once again considering a bill to prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and public places across Alaska according to JuneauEmpire.com. Louisiana – An ordinance that would ban smoking in Baton Rouge’s casinos and bars is to the Metro Council according to […]
Yesterday we reported on a proposal in the state of Nebraska that would raise the tax on cigars by 55% and today the state is back at it again. Ken Schilz, a Republican from the 47th district has filed LB 727 which calls for a 1% tax on tobacco sales that occur at any retailer who possesses a cigar shop license under the Nebraska Liquor Control Act. The tax would be collected like any other sales tax, and […]
For the third time in the last three years, Republican Nebraska State Senator Mike Gloor of Grand Island is seeking a tobacco tax increase that would raise the cigar tax 55%. The Bill, LB1013 would raise the tax on cigars and other tobacco products (OTP) from 20% of the wholesale cost to 31%. The change would raise a cigar that has a MSRP of $10.00 that currently costs $11.00 to $11.55. The money that is […]
Smokers rejoice. Nebraska Legislative Bill 118 that was sponsored by Republican Senator Tyson O’Neill of Larson and passed last week by a margin of 45-3 has been signed. Upon returning to Nebraska Governor Pete Rickets signed the bill on Thursday that will provide an exception to the statewide smoking ban. Since the bill carried an emergency clause, the new law took effect the moment the signature was placed on the bill. The roller coaster ride […]
The state of Nebraska has been one of the most looked at states in the terms of pending cigar issues. Originally, cigar bars and cigar lounges were not meant to be a part of the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act and as a result were exempt from the law. However, a pool hall operator felt their exemption from the law was unfair as he could no longer allow smoking in his establishment. So began a big […]
Bill LB118 inched closer to becoming a law as the bill advanced on Wednesday. The bill would update the Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act to allow smoking in cigar and tobacco shop. In the first round of debates, initial support was received. The bill which would modify the intent language of the original law, is in response to a Nebraska Supreme Court ruling that made the exemption unconstitutional. According to Senator Colby Coash of Lincoln, […]
The measure by Senator Tyson Larson of O’Neill that would exclude cigar shops from the 2008 Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act has passed the General Affairs Committee by a vote of 7-0 today. The bill will now go before the full Nebraska Legislature where it will be debated and voted upon. As reported last year, the Supreme Court of the state of Nebraska voted that the exemption granted was unconstitutional. No date was given for the […]
Everyone had their eyes on Nebraska when it was ruled that the exemption for cigar bars and lounges was ruled unconstitutional in the state of Nebraska. After challenging the state supreme court ruling, the end is now near at least for the time being. On Friday the state mailed new replacement liquor licenses and once those licenses arrive to their intended locations, smoking will be outlawed in cigar bars and lounges. Many of the establishments […]
In a ruling that could have ramifications across the United States the Nebraska Supreme Court has denied Cigar Bars & Cigar Lounges to continue to allow smoking in their establishments. The court denied the states motion to reconsider an August 29th ruling that threw out the cigar bar and tobacco shop exemptions to the statewide smoking ban. Nebraska is home to 1.8 million people over 77,354 square miles and was established in 1867.