Senate Bill 56, which would cap the statutory excise tax on premium cigars at 20%, was introduced in the Senate on Jan. 17, 2025, Senator Sullivan announced during the chamber's morning session.

The bill, identified on the floor as Senate Bill 56, was read for introduction and placed in the Finance Committee for consideration. No floor debate or vote on the bill took place during the session; committee referral was announced on the floor.

Senator Sullivan, who introduced the measure, also used a moment of personal privilege to mark the 12th anniversary of the Aurora theater shooting that killed her son. "Trauma, grief, pain lives in us every single day," she said on the floor. "We just decide what to do with that differently." Those remarks followed her introduction of the bill and were delivered during the same morning period of announcements and committee business.

Aside from the bill introduction, the Senate approved the journal of the previous day's proceedings and voted to recess until 10 a.m. later the same day. Senator Amabile moved approval of the journal; the presiding officer declared the motion adopted after a voice vote. The majority leader moved recess; the presiding officer announced the ayes had it and the Senate recessed until 10 a.m.

No fiscal notes, sponsor summaries beyond the bill title, or committee reporting dates were provided during the introduction on the floor. The text read on the floor described the measure as "concerning the taxation of premium cigars and in connection therewith capping the statutory excise tax on premium cigars at 20%." Further details, including projected revenue effects or targeted enforcement mechanisms, were not specified on the floor and will be determined in committee review.

The session also included routine roll call and ceremonial items, including a pledge of allegiance led by Senator Kirkmeyer and an announcement that a joint MLK Day resolution would be read in the House later in the day. The Senate reported a quorum at the start of the session and conducted its morning business before adjourning to a scheduled recess.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of Senate Journal (Jan. 16, 2025): Motion to approve made by Senator Amabile; presiding officer announced the motion adopted by voice vote. (No roll-call tally provided on the floor.)
- Motion to recess until 10 a.m.: Moved by the majority leader (unnamed on the transcript); presiding officer announced the ayes had it.

What happens next: Senate Bill 56 will go to the Finance Committee for consideration and any subsequent hearings or fiscal analysis. No committee hearing dates were announced on the floor.