Bill Sponsor
California Senate Bill 936
Session 20252026
Nitrous oxide: sales.
Active
Active
Passed Senate on May 22, 2026
Sponsors
First Action
Jan 29, 2026
Latest Action
May 22, 2026
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
936
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Summary
Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to possess nitrous oxide with the intent of inhaling it for specified purposes, including to cause intoxication. Existing law also makes it a misdemeanor to sell nitrous oxide to any person under 18 years of age. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to dispense nitrous oxide to a person and knowing that the person will use it for specified prohibited purposes, if that person then causes death or great bodily injury to themselves or another person. Existing law, the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003, requires a retailer, as defined, to hold a license from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to engage in the sale of cigarettes or tobacco products. This bill would, except as specifically exempted, prohibit the sale and distribution of a nitrous oxide container that is capable of holding more than 8 grams of nitrous oxide or from which an individual may directly inhale nitrous oxide. The bill would also prohibit the sale and distribution of a nitrous oxide that has, or is marketed as having, the taste or smell of any food. The bill would prohibit knowingly selling or distributing a device that allows an individual to inhale nitrous oxide from the container or hold nitrous oxide for the purposes of inhalation. The bill would punish a violation of these provisions as an infraction, as specified. The bill would also authorize a court to suspend the business license, including a license to sell tobacco products, if the business has a prior conviction for violating these prohibitions. Because this bill would create new crimes, it would impose a state-mandated local program. 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.
05/22/2026
Assembly
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
05/22/2026
Senate
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 33. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly.
05/20/2026
Senate
Ordered to special consent calendar.
05/19/2026
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
05/18/2026
Senate
Ordered to second reading.
05/18/2026
Senate
Read third time and amended.
05/14/2026
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
05/14/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (May 14).
05/08/2026
Senate
Set for hearing May 14.
05/04/2026
Senate
May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
04/28/2026
Senate
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/24/2026
Senate
Set for hearing May 4.
04/21/2026
Senate
April 27 hearing postponed by committee.
04/17/2026
Senate
Set for hearing April 27.
04/13/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 3840.) (April 13). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/08/2026
Senate
Set for hearing April 13.
04/08/2026
Senate
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
03/17/2026
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on B. P. & E.D. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 3589.) (March 17). Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.
03/03/2026
Senate
Set for hearing March 17.
02/11/2026
Senate
Referred to Coms. on PUB. S. and B. P. & E.D.
01/30/2026
Senate
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 1.
01/29/2026
Senate
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Jan 30, 2026 8:29:51 AM
Record Updated
May 23, 2026 8:40:34 AM