What AB 957 does
An act to amend Section 22973.1 of, and to add Article 26 (commencing with 4428) to Chapter 9 of Division 2 of, the Business and Professions Code, relating to cigarette and tobacco products.
Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacies by the California State Board of Pharmacy, and makes a violation of the Pharmacy Law a misdemeanor.
This bill would prohibit a pharmacy from engaging in the retail sale of cigarettes or tobacco products. Because a violation of this provision would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law, the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2023, requires a retailer to hold a license from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to engage in the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products for each retail location. Existing law requires the department to issue a license to a retailer upon receipt of a completed application and payment of required fees, unless certain circumstances apply.
This bill would prohibit the department from issuing a license to a retailer if the retailer is a pharmacy or the application is for a retail location that contains a pharmacy.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Summary from the Legislative Counsel's Digest of the amended assembly text, April 28, 2025. Read the full text on leginfo.
How it got here
Assemblymember Ortega introduced AB 957 on February 20, 2025, with coauthors Assembly Members Addis, Connolly, and Garcia and Senators Becker and Rubio. The text was amended 1 time, and heard in 7 committee hearings before its final floor votes.
- Assembly Floor, June 2, 2025: 64 ayes, 4 noes.
Committee votes along the way:
- Assembly Business and Professions, April 8, 2025: Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Governmental Organization], 12-0.
- Assembly Governmental Organization, April 23, 2025: Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations], 18-1.
- Assembly Appropriations, May 23, 2025: Do pass., 13-1.
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, June 30, 2025: Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Revenue and Taxation], 5-3.
- Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development, July 7, 2025: [07-07-2025] hearing: Motion to Reconsider. [Reconsideration Granted.], 10-1.
Who supports and opposes AB 957
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis dated June 29, 2025 lists 16 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. When Assembly Business and Professions first listed positions on April 4, 2025, the count was 4 in support and 0 opposed. By the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis of June 29, 2025 it was 16 to 0.
In support: Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition; American Academy of Pediatrics, California; American Lung Association in California; Breathe California; California Academy of Preventive Medicine; California Medical Association (CMA); California Orthopedic Association; California Pharmacists Association; and 8 more.
Read the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis.
What happens next
It is in the Senate, its second house. The last recorded action was on June 22, 2026.
The Governor can sign the bill, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Until the decision, sign and veto request letters are the remaining channel, and the Department of Finance's enrolled bill report carries weight on anything with a fiscal effect. If signed, most provisions take effect January 1, and implementation moves to the agencies named in the bill.
What it means for pharmaceutical organizations
This is the stage where language still changes. Amendments taken in committee are the ones that reach the Governor, so an organization with a stake in the drafting has a reason to be in that conversation now rather than after the vote.
The pharma group at Capitol Axis handles that for pharmaceutical clients.
Questions about AB 957
What does AB 957 do?
This bill would prohibit a pharmacy from engaging in the retail sale of cigarettes or tobacco products. Because a violation of this provision would be a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Has AB 957 passed the California Legislature?
It is in the Senate, its second house. The last recorded action was on June 22, 2026.
Who supports and opposes AB 957?
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development analysis dated June 29, 2025 lists 16 organizations in support and 0 in opposition. Supporters include Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition; American Academy of Pediatrics, California; American Lung Association in California.
What happens next with AB 957?
It still has committee and floor votes ahead of it. Amendments taken now are the ones that reach the Governor, so this is the stage where language changes are still possible.