Featured Stories
N.Y. Comptroller DiNapoli Releases Analysis of State Grant Funding to New York City
ALBANY, New York, Sept. 24 (TNSbrep) -- New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued the following news release:
* * *
DiNapoli Releases Analysis of State Grant Funding to New York City
Education and Social Services Funding at Risk if Federal Aid to State Declines
September 23, 2026
-
About 17% of the city's total revenue for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, totaling over $21 billion, comes from state aid, including substantial categorical grant funding for essential programs for children, families and vulnerable residents, according to a new report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
... Show Full Article
ALBANY, New York, Sept. 24 (TNSbrep) -- New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued the following news release:
* * *
DiNapoli Releases Analysis of State Grant Funding to New York City
Education and Social Services Funding at Risk if Federal Aid to State Declines
September 23, 2026
-
About 17% of the city's total revenue for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, totaling over $21 billion, comes from state aid, including substantial categorical grant funding for essential programs for children, families and vulnerable residents, according to a new report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.Major education and social service programs in New York City could be in jeopardy if federal funding cuts to the state occur.
"New York City depends on state grants to help pay for a multitude of essential programs, including Universal Pre-K, school construction, child welfare services, and other services," DiNapoli said. "Many of these programs, which serve a broad spectrum of city residents and in particular children, could be at risk if the federal government cuts funding to the state. If that happens, the state and city will face tough choices to maintain core safety net services and preserve vital programs."
The more than $21 billion in state aid to the city in FY 2027 includes $20.8 billion in categorical aid and $650 million in unrestricted aid. In recent years, over three-quarters of state categorical aid was consistently concentrated in the following programs, reflecting the largest and most critical components of state aid to New York City.
Foundation Aid:
Foundation Aid is the state's primary public school funding formula. New York City will receive nearly $11 billion in FY 2027, nearly double what it first received in FY 2008. Much of the money is distributed directly to schools through the Fair Student Funding formula to fund recurring costs, such as teacher salaries.
Building Aid:
School Building Aid is the second-largest state aid allocation to New York City. These funds have nearly tripled in the past 20 years, growing from $674 million in FY 2008 to $1.8 billion in FY 2027. It is expected to cover 44.6% of the Department of Education's debt service costs. The city's 2025-29 capital plan funds construction of school seats for more than 26,000 students and continues efforts to eliminate remaining temporary classroom units.
Universal Pre-K:
The $1.1 billion the state is expected to provide to support Pre-K in New York City is the third-largest funding stream the city receives annually from the state, serving approximately 67,000 children every year.
Transportation Aid:
New York State reimburses the city for a significant amount of the costs of transporting students to and from school. The city's Transportation Aid allocation has grown significantly in recent years, and will reach $880 million for FY 2027. This helps pay for private bus contractors, the city's own small bus fleet and student transit passes.
Family Services Safety Net Assistance:
The Safety Net Assistance program is one of New York State's two public assistance programs, which provide cash and non-cash assistance to state residents, including direct payments made to landlords and vouchers sent to utility companies. The program's budget is based on enrollment, which grew 2.4% from FY 2025 to FY 2026, reaching an average of 439,000 recipients a month in FY 2026. The city expects to receive roughly $623 million from the state in FY 2027, but that could rise if enrollments exceed the city's projections.
State Child Welfare Services:
State Child Welfare Services funding, also known as State Preventive Services, supports interventions that prevent extended foster care placements for at-risk children and provides wraparound services for families before, during, and after a child enters foster care. Up to 62% of eligible city expenditures for child protective, preventive, after care, adoption, and independent living services qualify for state reimbursement. The city expects to receive $478 million from the state for these services in FY 2027.
Charter School Tuition and Lease Aid:
The state provides additional aid for every charter school student, called "Supplemental Basic Tuition." In the 2024-25 school year, there were 281 charter schools operating in New York City, serving 148,083 students in grades Pre-K through 12. The city must also provide new or expanding charter schools with space in a city school building or fund the rental of equivalent space in private buildings. In New York City, 176 charter schools were eligible for this support in FY 2025, with the state covering 60% of the cost of rental space. DiNapoli's report estimates that state support for city charter schools will reach at least $347 million in FY 2027 and will likely grow over the course of the fiscal year.
At-Risk Youth:
In 2017, New York State passed the Raise the Age legislation, increasing the age of criminal responsibility from 16 years of age to 18. This mandated that youth be transferred from adult facilities to those overseen by the Administration for Children's Services. The state included $300 million in baseline funding for youth justice services specifically for the city in its State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 Enacted Budget. The city must submit a plan to the state Division of Budget for approval, which will determine the final allocation of funds.
High-Cost Aid:
High Cost Aid, also known as Public Excess Cost, is for public school districts to educate students with disabilities. The City's allocations have increased slowly over time, but have not varied much over the past decade. In FY 2027, the state allocated $263 million in High-Cost Aid to New York City, making this the city's ninth-largest stream of state aid.
Medical Assistance Administration:
New York State requires localities to provide funds toward the non-federal share of Medicaid funding and provides these localities with support for administration. As of May 2026, more than 3.6 million city residents were enrolled in Medicaid, with 1.4 million enrollments administered by the city. The city expects $251 million in state support for Medicaid administration services in FY 2027.
Child Care Block Grants:
Child Care Block Grants (CCBG) distribute federal Child Care Development funds; however, as federal funding has waned, the state has taken on an expanded role in ensuring local child service programs remain funded. Total CCBG funding allocated to the city has grown dramatically from $472 million in FY 2012 to $1.37 billion in FY 2026. The enacted SFY 2027 budget adds more than $940 million in baselined state child care funding, bringing total state support to $2.4 billion for FY 2027 and maximum funding from all sources to about $3.1 billion. The city's Administration for Children's Services reported average child care voucher enrollment reached 109,967 through the first 11 months of FY 2026.
* * *
Report:
State Grants to New York City (https://www.osc.ny.gov/files/reports/osdc/pdf/00-nyc-state-grants-combined.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.osc.ny.gov/press/releases/2026/09/dinapoli-releases-analysis-state-grant-funding-new-york-city
Kan. Commerce Dept.: State Offers $1.5M to Transform Vacant, Underutilized Downtown Buildings
TOPEKA, Kansas, Sept. 24 -- The Kansas Department of Commerce issued the following news release:
* * *
Kansas Offers $1.5M to Transform Vacant, Underutilized Downtown Buildings
Sep 23, 2026
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1.5 million is available for a seventh round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in Kansas communities. The grants help close the financial gaps for communities of all sizes striving to make their downtown districts economically vibrant.
Since
... Show Full Article
TOPEKA, Kansas, Sept. 24 -- The Kansas Department of Commerce issued the following news release:
* * *
Kansas Offers $1.5M to Transform Vacant, Underutilized Downtown Buildings
Sep 23, 2026
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1.5 million is available for a seventh round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) program grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in Kansas communities. The grants help close the financial gaps for communities of all sizes striving to make their downtown districts economically vibrant.
Sincethe launch of the program in 2021, $8.2 million has been awarded to fund more than 120 community projects. The state investment has leveraged $45 million in local matching funds.
"Kansas downtowns are commonly known for their historic, unique character -- with plenty of potential for local businesses and communities to grow," Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. "Through HEAL, we're able to provide communities with the resources to revitalize buildings, bringing new economic vibrancy and opening spaces for housing, entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed in Kansas."
The HEAL grant helps communities restore downtown buildings as spaces for new or expanding businesses, housing, arts and culture, civic engagement, childcare or entrepreneurial activities.
For this round of HEAL funding, urban distressed downtown communities are encouraged to take advantage of the grant opportunity. Up to $750,000 will be made available for communities with 50,000 population or more. Downtown communities must be in a distressed census tract as identified by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Submitted projects must show potential to become economic drivers in the community and demonstrate that the space will be occupied by the end of the project. There must be proof of 1:1 matching funds from the building owner that will be required at the time of application.
The application window opens September 21 and closes November 20. Awardees will be notified in January. Communities that received HEAL grants in 2025 are not eligible for this round of funding.
A virtual webinar about the specifics of the program is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, September 25. Registration is required for the webinar, and a Zoom link will be provided once registration is completed. To register, click here.
The Office of Rural Prosperity will host office hours at 11 a.m. every Monday starting September 28 through November 16 for those with questions. Click here to register.
For additional information about HEAL grants, the webinar and the online application, please click here (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinks-2.govdelivery.com%2FCL0%2Fhttps%3A%252F%252Fwww.kansascommerce.gov%252Fqpd%252Fheal%252F%2F1%2F010101a0cf448369-8a82341b-902f-4ccf-8ad4-fa031b8c78d3-000000%2FptrO3o72pzzzVy28NBfU70v3jPaEfR2MvM--utLRxTY%3D452&data=05%7C02%7CDesirae.Copeland1%40ks.gov%7Cad241a1d151c4ef3b67e08df19965d2b%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C639257805767028452%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=9tP%2FGG0ndHqRQ00%2FiMuNXK0crTXgjYDCKRJZssdYaHg%3D&reserved=0).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.kansascommerce.gov/2026/09/kansas-offers-1-5m-to-transform-vacant-underutilized-downtown-buildings/
Del. A.G. Jennings Announces Delaware Supreme Court Victory Protecting Permanent Absentee Voting
DOVER, Delaware, Sept. 24 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Jennings announces Delaware Supreme Court victory protecting permanent absentee voting
September 22, 2026
Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced that the Delaware Supreme Court has sided with Delaware, denying a challenge from State Senator Gerald Hocker and upholding the state's permanent absentee voting statute.
On September 21, 2026, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling affirming a Chancery Court decision that upheld permanent absentee voting, noting
... Show Full Article
DOVER, Delaware, Sept. 24 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Jennings announces Delaware Supreme Court victory protecting permanent absentee voting
September 22, 2026
Attorney General Kathy Jennings has announced that the Delaware Supreme Court has sided with Delaware, denying a challenge from State Senator Gerald Hocker and upholding the state's permanent absentee voting statute.
On September 21, 2026, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling affirming a Chancery Court decision that upheld permanent absentee voting, notingthat "the plaintiffs' argument rests on a faulty premise... the statute does not expand the categories of absentee voters beyond those permitted by the Delaware Constitution to those ineligible to vote absentee."
"I want to recognize that this is first and foremost a victory for the tens of thousands of veterans, senior citizens, and Delawareans with disabilities who rely on permanent absentee voting," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "At the same time, we should be clear about what this lawsuit was: a last-minute attempt to suppress the vote by a plaintiff who once voted in favor of the very law he sought to overturn. I am grateful to the Court not only for their unanimous ruling, but also for their diligence in delivering their opinion quickly enough for ballots to go out on time."
A statement from the Delaware Department of Elections read: "With the Delaware Supreme Court ruling issued, the Department of Elections will soon begin sending permanent absentee voters their ballots. The Department continues to offer three voting options to Delaware voters, early voting, election day voting, and absentee voting for those eligible, including permanent absentee voting option for those voters who additionally qualify for that status."
On August 5, 2026, State Senator Gerald Hocker filed suit against State Election Commissioner Anthony Albence and the Department of Elections challenging permanent absentee voting - a law he once voted to pass - for a second time; AG Jennings won a near identical lawsuit filed by Sen. Hocker in 2024 with a unanimous decision from Delaware's Supreme Court. On September 4, 2026, the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled against Sen. Hocker, who then appealed to the Delaware Supreme Court.
For several election cycles, thousands of Delawareans have relied on permanent absentee voting to cast their ballots in primary, general, and special elections. In the November 2024 general election, over 38,000 voters -- including veterans, the disabled, and caregivers -- used absentee ballots. With the Supreme Court's ruling, those individuals will continue to be able to do so.
* * *
Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/09/22/ag-jennings-announces-delaware-supreme-court-victory-protecting-permanent-absentee-voting/
Calif. Civil Rights Dept.: Vallejo Unified Agrees to $150K Settlement Over Employee Telework Denial
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 24 -- The California Department of Civil Rights issued the following news release:
* * *
Vallejo Unified Agrees to $150K Settlement Over Employee Telework Denial
Settlement resolves disability discrimination complaint
September 23, 2026
SACRAMENTO - The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today announced a settlement with the Vallejo City Unified School District to resolve an employee's complaint of disability discrimination related to the effective denial of a request for telework as a reasonable accommodation. As part of the settlement, the school district
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 24 -- The California Department of Civil Rights issued the following news release:
* * *
Vallejo Unified Agrees to $150K Settlement Over Employee Telework Denial
Settlement resolves disability discrimination complaint
September 23, 2026
SACRAMENTO - The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) today announced a settlement with the Vallejo City Unified School District to resolve an employee's complaint of disability discrimination related to the effective denial of a request for telework as a reasonable accommodation. As part of the settlement, the school districtwill pay $150,000 in compensation, grant the employee's telework request, and take other steps to protect the rights of district employees in the future.
"When someone asks for an accommodation, employers have to pay attention," said CRD Director Kevin Kish. "That's a threshold requirement of California's employment disability protections. Every worker is entitled to a meaningful opportunity to discuss with their employer ways to help them stay on the job regardless of disability. As a result of this settlement, staff at the Vallejo City Unified School District can now expect that their accommodation requests will be heard."
Ignored Is Denied
Last year, CRD received a complaint against the Vallejo City Unified School District from an employee who alleged that the school district failed to consider their request for telework as an accommodation for a disability. According to the complaint, the school district simply ignored the request, effectively denying it. This allegedly happened even though the employee submitted a doctor's note and made multiple attempts to have their request be considered. The worker also said that they had previously been permitted to work remotely and that their position did not require them to interact with students in person. Under California law, employers are required to engage in good faith with employees with disabilities on reasonable requests for changes to employment policies or practices that can enable them to keep working.
Seat at the Table
After conducting an initial investigation, CRD provided the employee and the school district an opportunity to voluntarily resolve the allegations through mediation. The department's neutral mediators help resolve hundreds of cases every year, bringing millions of dollars in relief to people across California. As a result of the settlement, the district, without admitting wrongdoing, will:
* Conduct a comprehensive review of its policies for addressing reasonable accommodations.
* Update its reasonable accommodation policies as needed to ensure compliance with state law and share any changes with all district employees.
* Provide training to human resources staff on reasonable accommodation requests and the interactive process.
* Grant the employee's telework request and, as appropriate, reinstate any sick leave used.
* Pay $150,000 in compensation to cover the alleged harms.
If you or someone you know has experienced employment discrimination, CRD may be able to assist you through its complaint process. The department also provides general information and factsheets online about civil rights protections, including on reasonable accommodations in the workplace.
The settlement announced today was mediated by Attorney Mediator Shira Harris.
You can learn more by reading the settlement (https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2026/09/Vallejo-Unified_Settlement_Redacted.pdf).
* * *
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is the state agency charged with enforcing California's civil rights laws. CRD's mission is to protect the people of California from unlawful discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and state-funded programs and activities, and from hate violence and human trafficking. For more information, visit calcivilrights.ca.gov.
* * *
Original text here: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/2026/09/23/vallejo-unified-agrees-to-150k-settlement-over-employee-telework-denial/
Attorney General Mayes Sues Kratom Maker Botanic Tonics in First-In-Nation Consumer Protection Lawsuit
PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 24 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Sues Kratom Maker Botanic Tonics in First-In-Nation Consumer Protection Lawsuit
September 23, 2026
PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes today sued Botanic Tonics, LLC, a company known for its kratom and kava tonic "feel free," for violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, including unlawfully promoting the 2-ounce kratom shots as energy drinks, obscuring feel free's kratom content, and failing to adequately disclose the risks of addiction and withdrawal from
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 24 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Sues Kratom Maker Botanic Tonics in First-In-Nation Consumer Protection Lawsuit
September 23, 2026
PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes today sued Botanic Tonics, LLC, a company known for its kratom and kava tonic "feel free," for violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, including unlawfully promoting the 2-ounce kratom shots as energy drinks, obscuring feel free's kratom content, and failing to adequately disclose the risks of addiction and withdrawal fromusing the product.*
Feel free contains the psychoactive substances kratom and kava. Kratom produces opioid-like effects and is known colloquially as "gas station heroin." Botanic Tonics has sold feel free throughout Arizona at gas stations, convenience stores, and other mainstream retail locations, as well as online, while allegedly marketing it as a wellness tonic, energy product, kava drink, and alternative to alcohol. Arizona Department of Health Services has identified 146 documented kratom deaths in Arizona between 2020 and 2023 alone.
* "We allege that Botanic Tonics has repeatedly and willfully violated the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and endangered the health and safety of Arizonans, including minors, by improperly marketing its kratom-containing beverage," said Attorney General Mayes. "Arizonans should be aware that behind feel free's appealing marketing, there is real danger of addiction and other mental and physical harm."
The complaint, filed today in Maricopa County Superior Court, alleges that feel free presents serious risks that Defendants' marketing concealed or minimized. Kratom can produce opioid-like effects and carries risks including dependence, addiction, and withdrawal. Kava also presents health risks, particularly when consumed in concentrated amounts or in combination with other substances. Feel free combines these two psychoactive substances in an easy-to-consume, flavored shot marketed for regular use and sold at the counter of convenience stores throughout Arizona.
Botanic Tonics used aggressive marketing efforts in Arizona and across the United States to quickly become a top selling kratom product. Through its youth focused advertising campaign, which has included the use of colleges and college students for marketing, the company has sold millions of Kratom shots in Arizona since 2020.
A review of the company's practices allegedly shows that feel free is purposely designed to appear innocuous, an appearance that is bolstered by:
* Defendants' attempts to obscure feel free's kratom content and failure to adequately disclose its risks of addiction, dependence, withdrawal, and other adverse health effects.
* Defendants' marketing of feel free as a benign wellness and energy product inconsistent with the risks they knew it presented.
* Defendants' promotion of feel free as an alternative to alcohol--including to consumers seeking sobriety--without adequately disclosing that they were substituting one substance presenting risks of dependence and withdrawal for another.
* Defendants' use of sales practices designed to encourage repeated and increased purchases of feel free, including recurring subscriptions, substantial discounts for subscription purchases, and a rewards program that provided increasing benefits as consumers spent more on feel free.
* "It is clear that kratom products are addictive and can have lasting health consequences for children and adults. We will not tolerate companies that sell these products without adequate safeguards in place to ensure that consumers understand these risks," said Attorney General Mayes. "We are taking Botanic Tonics to court to stop these practices and hold Botanic Tonics fully accountable under Arizona law."
*
The Attorney General's Office will be setting up a forum in the future for consumers to share their experiences with feel free and other kratom products.
If you believe you have been a victim of consumer fraud or unfair practices, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General's website at www.azag.gov/consumer. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.
The Attorney General's complaint is available.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-sues-kratom-maker-botanic-tonics-first-nation-consumer
As Acting Governor, Attorney General Mayes Proclaims Unresolved Case Awareness Week, Recognizes September as National Cold Case Month
PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 24 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
* * *
As Acting Governor, Attorney General Mayes Proclaims Unresolved Case Awareness Week, Recognizes September as National Cold Case Month
September 22, 2026
PHOENIX -- As Acting Governor, Attorney General Kris Mayes has officially proclaimed September 20-26, 2026, as Unresolved Case Awareness Week in Arizona and recognized September as National Cold Case Month. The proclamation honors the victims of unsolved crimes and the families who continue to seek answers.
* * *
"Every unsolved case
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 24 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
* * *
As Acting Governor, Attorney General Mayes Proclaims Unresolved Case Awareness Week, Recognizes September as National Cold Case Month
September 22, 2026
PHOENIX -- As Acting Governor, Attorney General Kris Mayes has officially proclaimed September 20-26, 2026, as Unresolved Case Awareness Week in Arizona and recognized September as National Cold Case Month. The proclamation honors the victims of unsolved crimes and the families who continue to seek answers.
* * *
"Every unsolved caserepresents a real Arizonan -- a son, a daughter, a parent, a friend -- and a family still waiting for answers," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "This week, we honor those victims and recommit to making sure no case in Arizona is ever abandoned simply for lack of resources."
* * *
Hundreds of homicide and missing person cases across Arizona remain unsolved. Unresolved Case Awareness Week was organized by families of cold case victims, survivors, advocates, and community partners, including Arizonans for Effective Public Safety, to draw attention to these cases and the resources needed to solve them.
The proclamation notes that advances in forensic science, DNA technology, and investigative genealogy now make it possible to solve cases once considered unsolvable, but only when law enforcement agencies have the staffing, training, and resources to pursue those leads. It calls on the Arizona State Legislature to provide dedicated, sustained funding to state and local law enforcement agencies specifically for cold case investigations.
The proclamation also encourages all Arizonans to support victims' families and survivors and to come forward with any information that may help solve these cases. Anyone with information about an unsolved case is urged to contact local law enforcement or the Attorney General's Cold Case Unit.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/acting-governor-attorney-general-mayes-proclaims-unresolved-case-awareness-week
Ala. Public Health Dept.: New Law Will Prohibit the Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems in Places Where Smoking is Prohibited
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 24 -- The Alabama Department of Public Health issued the following news release:
* * *
New law will prohibit the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems in places where smoking is prohibited
September 23, 2026
-
Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama's Clean Indoor Air Act will expand to include electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
Senate Bill 9, sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen and signed into law as Act 2026-505, amends Alabama's Clean Indoor Air Act to define smoking to include the use of an electronic nicotine delivery
... Show Full Article
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Sept. 24 -- The Alabama Department of Public Health issued the following news release:
* * *
New law will prohibit the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems in places where smoking is prohibited
September 23, 2026
-
Beginning October 1, 2026, Alabama's Clean Indoor Air Act will expand to include electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
Senate Bill 9, sponsored by State Sen. Gerald Allen and signed into law as Act 2026-505, amends Alabama's Clean Indoor Air Act to define smoking to include the use of an electronic nicotine deliverysystem. As a result, vaping will be subject to the same restrictions as smoking tobacco products under the state's Clean Indoor Air Act. The law also renames the act the Vivian Davis Figures and Barbara Drummond Clean Indoor Air Act.
The law applies to enclosed public places, including, but not limited to, auditoriums, elevators, hospitals, nursing homes, libraries, courtrooms, jury waiting rooms and deliberation rooms, theaters, museums, common areas of retirement homes, restaurants, laundromats, health facilities, educational facilities, shopping malls, government buildings, sports and recreational facilities, places of employment, airports, banks, retail stores, and service establishments. Private residences are not considered public places under the act.
"Creating healthier environments where Alabamians live, work, and gather is an important part of protecting public health. Reducing exposure to tobacco smoke and harmful chemicals from vaping in indoor public spaces is an important step toward protecting the health and well-being of Alabamians. This law provides an opportunity to strengthen our commitment to healthier, smoke and vape-free environments across the state," said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris.
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) encourages businesses and organizations covered by the Clean Indoor Air Act to review their existing smoking policies and make any necessary updates before the effective date. The department also encourages Alabamians who use electronic nicotine delivery systems to be aware of the new requirements and to respect posted no-smoking policies in covered locations.
Under the new law:
* The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems is included in the definition of "smoking" under the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act.
* Where the Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits smoking, the ban will also apply to vaping and the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems.
* Businesses and organizations covered by the law should ensure their smoking policies and signage accurately reflect the new requirements.
* The law does not prohibit the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems in private residences.
"Alabama has long recognized the importance of protecting people from exposure to tobacco smoke in indoor public spaces," said Senator Allen. "This law brings electronic nicotine delivery systems under those same protections. We encourage businesses, organizations and individuals to familiarize themselves with the law before it takes effect October 1."
Rep. Drummond said, "We appreciate the support of the Alabama Legislature and the Governor in adopting this important act to protect public places and promote clean air for Alabamians statewide. Vaping poses serious concerns for public health, particularly for our young people. While the long-term health effects of vaping continue to be studied, we know enough to recognize the risks associated with nicotine addiction and exposure to harmful substances. This legislation is an important step toward creating healthier environments, protecting our children and families, and ensuring that every Alabamian can breathe cleaner air in public spaces. Protecting public health is not just about today - it is about safeguarding the health and well-being of future generations."
For more information about Alabama's Clean Indoor Air Act, visit Alabama Tobacco Laws (https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/tpts/alabama-laws.html). For information and resources to help quit tobacco, visit the Alabama Tobacco Quitline (https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/tobacco/quitline.html).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/blog/2026/09/nr-23.html
