[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6340264,"mediaKeyId","2259718-d272e22e953e2ec8e82dd979fbf09250","parentId",2259718,"title","House Local Government panel advances bill defining cigar bars, allows indoor cigar smoking under conditions","audioSeconds",949,"startMs",121000,"endMs",1070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259718-d272e22e953e2ec8e82dd979fbf09250&start=121&end=1070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259718-d272e22e953e2ec8e82dd979fbf09250/thumbnail_121000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6340264/Kentucky/House-Local-Government-panel-advances-bill-defining-cigar-bars-allows-indoor-cigar-smoking-under-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340264-83e05d1410bbd0f0e372423eadfa2858/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048987&Signature=InD5Swa4auKPxXr50-T4X1lWW3k00rpaRxpeTKYI2fuMA93d7pvxzblftGtjxQzVQPSerqZF64Fx69bvF5BHLnAJ3pQFh6sdWHmW3Bhp5Hig1ccTB-XFv3QfUA0CwbSYRT-pUccvU9OZrVr1Hx-Kxkk8UqeC0F1pxaXWb6U9RqlB83rPSmrJb003enVa-lMTEh-VdaJEw~3oi0zzKWTZmgSPuNfk6RgiEsyNfk3uG7weEslsy-Y5J4TpHEv4zBdr0OAFbNTfRkMnlCnC72TWfwi1gOgebiCWKyzuLTFWeBmIUgd60T3PkM6KiCIEuUUDde12ConEciOEI2PlShTFgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KY LRC Committee Meetings","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","The House Standing Committee on Local Government voted to advance House Bill 211, a proposal from Representative Chris Lewis to define ‘‘cigar bars’’ and allow indoor cigar smoking at establishments that meet specified conditions.

The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, requires cigar bars to generate at least 15% of annual gross income from on‑site sales of cigars, pipe tobacco or cigar accessories, restricts entry to people 21 and older, bans cigarettes and vaping on the premises, allows local governments to require permits and tobacco licenses, and requires a smoke‑free area for deliveries and mail. Representative Chris Lewis said the measure was modeled after Tennessee law and “will not roll back any municipality’s local smoke‑free law.”

Supporters told the committee the bill would help small businesses and align with Kentucky industries such as bourbon and horse racing. Anthony Piagentini, a Louisville Metro Council member, described the measure as “a very small business focused, deregulatory type measure” and said Kentucky lacks venues where visitors can legally enjoy a cigar with bourbon.

Opponents urged the committee to reject the bill on health grounds and to preserve local authority. Doug Hogan, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Kentucky, said the measure ‘‘seriously undermines local smoke‑free laws’’ and would ‘‘negatively impact the health of patrons, employees, and others who may just simply be in the same building as a cigar bar.’’ Michael Gieske, director of the lung cancer screening program at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, told members that comprehensive smoke‑free policies reduce tobacco use and lung cancer mortality and urged a no vote.

Committee members asked the sponsor about details including the 15% revenue threshold; Lewis said that figure reflected the average among about 20 states the sponsors examined and that some states set higher thresholds. Representative Stalker asked whether any state set the threshold higher; Lewis responded, “I think the highest was 40%.” Representative Chester Burton and others questioned whether Jefferson County or Louisville Metro had enacted similar local legislation; the record shows no such local cigar‑bar ordinance currently in effect there.

After committee discussion the committee adopted the substitute and advanced the bill by roll call. The transcript contains the formal roll call and the committee’s favorable expression; the committee chair announced the motion carried.

The bill will next be scheduled for floor consideration under the House procedures. The transcript records debate and the roll call in full; committee members who spoke included Representative Chris Lewis, Anthony Piagentini, Doug Hogan, Michael Gieske, Representative Chester Burton, Representative Brown and Representative Stalker.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Standing Committee on Local Government (2-11-25)","oneSentenceSummary","The House Standing Committee on Local Government voted to advance House Bill 211, a proposal from Representative Chris Lewis to define ‘‘cigar bars’’ and allow indoor cigar smoking at establishments that meet specified conditions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature KY, Kentucky","taxId",77680,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340259,"Committee advances bill to treat qualified manufactured homes like site‑built houses; local cosmetic control preserved",2308,1072000,3380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259718-d272e22e953e2ec8e82dd979fbf09250&start=1072&end=3380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259718-d272e22e953e2ec8e82dd979fbf09250/thumbnail_1072000.jpg","/articles/6340259/Kentucky/Committee-advances-bill-to-treat-qualified-manufactured-homes-like-sitebuilt-houses-local-cosmetic-control-preserved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340259-2964cc29a95429e4a7f8cc935925c22a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048987&Signature=hXaP3ndLlGaQXxvTKQw2bPwIlqRPe1pqNOchi0yxS1hznVaCFdDiZnl5U~uE7hKELjD37sUp1JUJtvfm2G9qRlQOUsccyc4mLsTooAJ2Fy5C5DUSpvbHIBqv8QP9lyYbMD28rPZFKpV9YmnjPPx2tNEeC9Y~w-xdFRh~cQSyTQxKameUCk0rukst33HwHvGL-jRvEOrYSi4R4KEIXPbnS-THYOdrhzmqiYaR2Njpp4j~EqEpoe3W6Kowm4tM8W99gDKLfDruWdoNOGPQEyP7qgsV1hXazL3P90M54j0o78e0SX3va6A5swSX4Y~N6NfiJoAX16B~JeVS~~QJmf9B7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Standing Committee on Local Government voted to advance House Bill 160, sponsored by Representative Susan Whitten, to require that qualified manufactured homes be treated the same as site‑built houses for local planning and zoning purposes, subject to local cosmetic compatibility standards.

Representative Whitten said the bill responds to a statewide shortage of starter and working‑class homes and that the Kentucky Housing Corporation estimates a shortfall of about 206,000 homes; without changes that shortfall could grow. Whitten said manufactured housing can provide lower‑cost homes that meet modern construction and energy standards and that the bill does not override homeowners’ association, deed or historic‑district restrictions.

Logan Haines, executive director of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute, testified that qualified manufactured homes are built to the HUD code and that modern manufactured homes are inspected in the factory and on site. He told the committee that the bill focuses on ‘‘qualified manufactured homes’’ — defined in part as homes built on or after February 2002, set on permanent foundations, at least 20 feet wide (or two stories) and at least 900 square feet — and that these homes can be more affordable because of factory efficiencies and purchasing scale.

Local government associations urged the committee to preserve local land‑use authority and to work with proponents on technical changes. JD Cheney of the Kentucky League of Cities and Shelley Hampton of the Kentucky Association of Counties said local planning, zoning and comprehensive planning are community‑specific processes and asked for adjustments to the bill’s language to avoid unintended constraints on local regulation of property values, foundations and material compatibility.

Versailles Mayor Laura Dake described a local pilot project and said her city’s residents found the example homes acceptable; she said Versailles has drafted cosmetic standards — roof pitch, foundation appearance and facades — to ensure new homes fit neighborhoods.

Committee members debated the bill and several asked the sponsor to work with cities and counties on the statutory language. The committee adopted the bill as amended and gave it a favorable report by roll call; the chair announced the motion carried and the bill will proceed to the House floor.","The House Standing Committee on Local Government voted to advance House Bill 160, sponsored by Representative Susan Whitten, to require that qualified manufactured homes be treated the same as site‑built houses for local planning and zoning when they meet defined standards.","actionData","errors"]

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House Local Government panel advances bill defining cigar bars, allows indoor cigar smoking under conditions

Committee advances bill to treat qualified manufactured homes like site‑built houses; local cosmetic control preserved