Alcohol, e-cigarette changes approved

Lawmakers passed a bill April 3 that makes various laws regarding the sale of liquor and e-cigarettes.

LB863, introduced by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek, removes a petition and voting procedure requirement in the Liquor Control Act for allowing the sale of hard liquor by the drink in Nebraska.

Included in the bill are provisions of LB861, also introduced by Karpisek, which adds vapor products to the list of tobacco-based items that are illegal to sell to minors younger than 18. In Nebraska, a vapor product is defined as any noncombustible tobacco-derived product containing nicotine that employs a mechanical heating element, battery or circuit.

Vapor product use by a minor will be a Class V misdemeanor. Selling a vapor product to a minor will be a Class III misdemeanor, which is the current penalty applied for selling other tobacco products to a minor.

The bill also prohibits the sale of vapor products through a self-service display. Tobacco and vapor product specialty businesses that do not permit minors on the premises unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian are exempt from the restriction.

Also included in the bill are provisions from the following:
• LB888, originally introduced by Gretna Sen. John Murante, which allows a local governing body to approve off-sale alcohol purchases until 2 a.m. by a two-thirds vote;
• LB1052, introduced by Karpisek, which allows any licensed retailer engaged in the sale of distilled spirits to issue tasting cards to customers; and
• LB855, originally introduced by Cortland Sen. Norm Wallman, which requires a cemetery association that takes control of a cemetery from a county to mow it at least once a year and to make a good faith effort to map the cemetery.

The bill passed on a 48-0 vote.