Bill Text: HI HB246 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Chapter 245, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [HB246 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB246-Introduced.html
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
246 |
|
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to chapter 245, hawaii revised statutes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Tobacco use continues to be a problem in Hawaii, causing approximately 1,400 deaths per year among adults. An estimated 21,000 children in Hawaii currently under the age of eighteen will ultimately die prematurely from smoking. Tobacco use poses a heavy burden on Hawaii's health care system and economy. Each year, smoking costs approximately $526,000,000 in direct health care expenditures and $387,300,000 in lost productivity in the State.
The legislature further finds that tobacco products are addictive and inherently dangerous, causing many different types of cancer, heart disease, and other serious illnesses. Hawaii has a substantial interest in reducing the number of individuals of all ages who use tobacco products, and a particular interest in protecting adolescents from tobacco dependence and the illnesses and premature death associated with tobacco use.
The legislature additionally finds that electronic smoking devices, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated products designed to deliver nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals to the user by turning chemicals including highly addictive nicotine into an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. Consumers may choose from varying strengths of e-liquid as well as liquids consisting of different flavors.
The electronic smoking device industry, including the production of e‑liquid, is growing rapidly. According to a 2016 report from the United States Surgeon General, e-cigarette use amongst the nation's youth and young adults has become a major public health concern. The Surgeon General's report noted that e-cigarette use has increased considerably in recent years, growing an astounding nine hundred per cent among high school students from 2011 to 2015. Recent figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that more than 3,000,000 middle school and high school students were current users of e-cigarettes in 2015. Furthermore, e‑cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, surpassing conventional cigarettes in 2014. E‑cigarette use among youth and young adults is also strongly associated with the use of other tobacco products, including combustible tobacco products. Toxicologists have also warned that e-liquids pose significant risks to public health, particularly to children. According to the Surgeon General's report, ingestion of e-liquids containing nicotine can cause acute toxicity and possibly death, if the contents of refill cartridges or bottles containing nicotine are consumed. The Surgeon General's report also found that there are numerous policies and practices that can be implemented at the state and local levels to address electronic smoking device use among youth and young adults, including preventing access to e‑cigarettes by youth, significant increases in tax and price of e-cigarettes, retail licensure, and regulation of e-cigarettes marketing.
The legislature finds that the rapid growth of the electronic smoking device industry, including retail businesses selling electronic smoking devices or e-liquid, necessitates further regulations to protect consumers, such as requiring retailers of electronic smoking devices or e-liquid to obtain a retail tobacco permit.
The legislature notes that the federal Food and Drug Administration recently finalized a rule that expands its regulatory authority to all tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco. However, the legislature also notes that there is currently no state tobacco tax attached to electronic smoking devices, even though these products are now regulated as tobacco products. Furthermore, e‑liquid and tobacco products other than cigarettes are currently taxed at a lower rate than cigarettes, even though their use carries similar health risks. Research has shown that either a tax on cigarettes or cigarette price increases have the propensity to reduce the rate of smoking by adult and youth smokers. However, the legislature is concerned that as the price of cigarettes increases, smokers may be tempted to purchase less expensive products such as electronic smoking devices.
Finally, the legislature concludes that there needs to be a tax on electronic smoking devices and e-liquids and taxing these products at the same rate as other tobacco products is the most equitable way to do so. Imposing a tax on electronic smoking devices and e-liquids will also encourage users of electronic smoking devices to quit, sustain cessation, prevent youth initiation, and reduce consumption among those who continue to use.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Impose an excise tax on electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid sold by a wholesaler or dealer on and after January 1, 2018, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(2) Require every retailer engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid to obtain a retail tobacco permit to sell, possess, keep, acquire, distribute, or transport cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid for retail sale;
(3) Increase the license fee for persons engaged as a wholesaler or dealer of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid; and
(4) Increase the retail tobacco permit fee for retailers engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid.
SECTION 2. Section 245-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By adding four new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read:
""Disposable electronic smoking device" means an electronic smoking device that is designed or intended not to be reused or refilled.
"Electronic smoking device" means any electronic product that can be used to aerosolize and deliver nicotine to the person inhaling from the device, including but not limited to an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, hookah pipe, or hookah pen, and any component of the device or related product, whether or not sold separately, including but not limited to atomizers, coils, drip tips, and tanks.
"E-liquid" means any liquid containing nicotine that is designed or intended to be used in a reusable electronic smoking device, whether or not packaged in a cartridge or other container.
"Reusable electronic smoking device" means an electronic smoking device that is designed or intended to be reused or refilled."
2. By amending the definition of "dealer" to read:
""Dealer" means any person
coming into the possession of cigarettes [or], tobacco products,
electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid, which have not been acquired from
an authorized permit holder or licensee under this chapter, or any person
rendering a distribution service who buys and maintains, at the person's place
of business, a stock of cigarettes [or], tobacco products,
electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid that have not been acquired from a
licensee and who distributes or uses such cigarettes [or],
tobacco products[.], electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid."
3. By amending the definition of "retailer" to read:
""Retailer" means an entity that
engages in the practice of selling cigarettes [or], tobacco
products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid to consumers and
includes the owner of a cigarette [or], tobacco product,
electronic smoking device, or e-liquid vending machine."
4. By amending the definition of "sale" or "sold" to read:
""Sale" or "sold"
includes any delivery of cigarettes [or], tobacco products, electronic
smoking devices, or e-liquid, whether cash is actually paid therefor or
not."
5. By amending the definition of "wholesale price" to read:
""Wholesale price", in addition to any other meaning of the term, means in the case of a tax upon the use of tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid, or upon a sale not made at wholesale:
(1) If made by a person who during the month
preceding the accrual of the tax made substantial sales to retailers of like
tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid, the average
price of the sales[,]; and
(2) If made by any other person, the average price of sales to retailers of like tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid made by other taxpayers in the same county during the month preceding the accrual of the tax."
6. By amending the definition of "wholesaler" to read:
""Wholesaler" means a person
rendering a distribution service who buys and maintains, at the person's place
of business, a stock of cigarettes [or], tobacco products,
electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid that the person uses, possesses, or
distributes only to retailers, or other wholesalers, or both."
SECTION 3. Section 245-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The license shall be issued by the
department upon application therefor, in such form and manner as shall be
required by rule of the department, and the payment of a fee of [$2.50,]
$250, and shall be renewable annually on July 1 for the twelve months
ending the succeeding June 30."
SECTION 4. Section 245-2.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending subsections (a), (b), and (c) to read:
"(a) [Beginning December 1, 2006,
every] Every retailer engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes [and
other], tobacco products [upon which a tax is required to be paid
under this chapter], electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid shall
obtain a retail tobacco permit.
(b) [Beginning March 1, 2007, it] It
shall be unlawful for any retailer engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes [and
other], tobacco products [upon which a tax is required to be paid
under this chapter], electronic smoking devices, or e‑liquid
to sell, possess, keep, acquire, distribute, or transport cigarettes [or
other], tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid
for retail sale unless a retail tobacco permit has been issued to the retailer
under this section and the retail tobacco permit is in full force and effect.
(c) The retail tobacco permit shall be issued
by the department upon application by the retailer in the form and manner
prescribed by the department, and the payment of a fee of [$20.] $50.
Permits shall be valid for one year, from December 1 to November 30,
and renewable annually. Whenever a retail tobacco permit is defaced,
destroyed, or lost, or the permittee relocates the permittee's business, the
department may issue a duplicate retail tobacco permit to the permittee for a
fee of $5 per copy."
2. By amending subsection (e) to read:
"(e) Any entity that operates as a dealer
or wholesaler and also sells cigarettes [or other], tobacco
products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid to consumers at retail
shall acquire a separate retail tobacco permit."
3. By amending subsection (h) to read:
"(h) Any sales of cigarettes [or],
tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid made through a
[cigarette or tobacco product] vending machine are subject to the terms,
conditions, and penalties of this chapter. A retail tobacco permit need not be
displayed on [cigarette or tobacco product] vending machines if the
retail tobacco permit holder is the owner of the [cigarette or tobacco
product] vending machines and the [cigarette or tobacco product]
vending machines are operated at the location described in the retail tobacco
permit."
4. By amending subsection (j) to read:
"(j) A vehicle from which cigarettes [or],
tobacco products [are], electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid is
sold is considered a place of business and requires a retail tobacco permit.
Retail tobacco permits for a vehicle shall be issued bearing a specific motor
vehicle identification number and are valid only when physically carried in the
vehicle having the corresponding motor vehicle identification number. Retail
tobacco permits for vehicles shall not be moved from one vehicle to another."
5. By amending subsection (l) to read:
"(l) A permittee shall keep a complete
and accurate record of the permittee's cigarette [or], tobacco
product, electronic smoking device, and e-liquid inventory. The records
shall:
(1) Include:
(A) A written statement containing the name
and address of the permittee's source of its cigarettes [and],
tobacco products[;], electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid;
(B) The date of delivery, quantity, trade name
or brand, and price of the cigarettes [and], tobacco products[;],
electronic smoking devices, and e‑liquid; and
(C) Documentation in the form of any purchase
orders, invoices, bills of lading, other written statements, books, papers, or
records in whatever format, including electronic format, which substantiate the
purchase or acquisition of the cigarettes [and], tobacco products,
electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid stored or offered for sale; and
(2) Be offered for inspection and examination within twenty-four hours of demand by the department or the attorney general, and shall be preserved for a period of three years; provided that:
(A) Specified records may be destroyed if the department and the attorney general both consent to their destruction within the three-year period; and
(B) Either the department or the attorney general may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 that require specified records to be kept longer than a period of three years."
6. By amending subsection (o) to read:
"(o) Any cigarette, package of cigarettes,
carton of cigarettes, container of cigarettes, tobacco product, package of
tobacco products, [or any] container of tobacco products, electronic
smoking device, package of electronic smoking devices, container of electronic
smoking devices, e-liquid, package of e-liquid, or container of e-liquid
unlawfully sold, possessed, kept, stored, acquired, distributed, or transported
in violation of this section may be seized and ordered forfeited pursuant to
chapter 712A."
SECTION 5. Section 245-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Every wholesaler or dealer, in addition to any other taxes provided by law, shall pay for the privilege of conducting business and other activities in the State:
(1) An excise tax equal to 5.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after June 30, 1998, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(2) An excise tax equal to 6.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after September 30, 2002, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(3) An excise tax equal to 6.50 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after June 30, 2003, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(4) An excise tax equal to 7.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after June 30, 2004, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(5) An excise tax equal to 8.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after September 30, 2006, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(6) An excise tax equal to 9.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after September 30, 2007, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(7) An excise tax equal to 10.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after September 30, 2008, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(8) An excise tax equal to 13.00 cents for each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after July 1, 2009, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(9) An excise tax equal to 11.00 cents for each little cigar sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after October 1, 2009, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(10) An excise tax equal to 15.00 cents for each cigarette or little cigar sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after July 1, 2010, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(11) An excise tax equal to 16.00 cents for each cigarette or little cigar sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after July 1, 2011, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer;
(12) An excise tax equal to seventy per cent of the wholesale price of each article or item
of tobacco products, other than large cigars, sold by the wholesaler or dealer
on and after September 30, 2009, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not
sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer; [and]
(13) An excise tax equal to fifty per cent of the
wholesale price of each large cigar of any length, sold, used, or possessed by
a wholesaler or dealer on and after September 30, 2009, whether or not sold at
wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler
or dealer[.]; and
(14) An excise tax equal to seventy per cent of the wholesale price of each electronic smoking device, disposable electronic smoking device, reusable electronic smoking device, or e-liquid sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer on and after January 1, 2018, whether or not sold at wholesale, or if not sold then at the same rate upon the use by the wholesaler or dealer.
Where the tax imposed has been paid on cigarettes,
little cigars, [or] tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or
e‑liquid that thereafter [become] becomes the subject
of a casualty loss deduction allowable under chapter 235, the tax paid shall be
refunded or credited to the account of the wholesaler or dealer. The tax shall
be applied to cigarettes through the use of stamps."
SECTION 6. Section 245-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§245-5 Returns. Every wholesaler
or dealer, on or before the twentieth day of each month, shall file with the
department a return showing the cigarettes [and], tobacco
products, electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices,
reusable electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid sold, possessed, or used
by the wholesaler or dealer during the preceding calendar month and of the
taxes chargeable against the taxpayer in accordance with this chapter. The
form of the return shall be prescribed by the department and shall include:
(1) A separate statement of the number and wholesale price of cigarettes;
(2) The amount of stamps purchased and used;
(3) The wholesale price of tobacco products, sold,
possessed, or used; [and]
(4) The wholesale price of electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid sold, possessed, or used; and
[(4)] (5) Any other information that the
department may deem necessary, for the proper administration of this
chapter."
SECTION 7. Section 245-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
"(a) Each wholesaler or dealer shall keep a record of:
(1) Every sale or use of cigarettes [and],
tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking
devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid by the
wholesaler or dealer;
(2) The number and wholesale price of cigarettes;
(3) The wholesale price of tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e‑liquid sold, possessed, or used;
(4) The taxes payable on tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e‑liquid sold, possessed, or used, if any; and
(5) The amounts of stamps purchased and used,
in a form as the department may prescribe. The records shall be offered for inspection and examination at any time upon demand by the department or the attorney general, and shall be preserved for a period of five years, except that the department and the attorney general, in writing, shall both consent to their destruction within the five-year period or either the department or the attorney general may require that they be kept longer. The department, by rule, may require the wholesaler or dealer to keep other records as it may deem necessary for the proper enforcement of this chapter."
SECTION 8. Section 245-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:
"(a) The department and the attorney
general may examine all records, including tax returns and reports under
section 245-31, required to be kept or filed under this chapter, and books,
papers, and records of any person engaged in the business of wholesaling or
dealing cigarettes [and], tobacco products, electronic smoking
devices, and e-liquid, to verify the accuracy of the payment of the taxes
imposed by this chapter. Every person in possession of any books, papers, and
records, and the person's agents and employees, are directed and required to
give the department and the attorney general the means, facilities, and
opportunities for the examinations.
(b) The department and the attorney general
may inspect the operations, premises, and storage areas of any entity engaged
in the sale of cigarettes, or the contents of a specific vending machine,
during regular business hours. This inspection shall include inspection of all
statements, books, papers, and records in whatever format, including electronic
format, pertaining to the acquisition, possession, transportation, sale, or use
of packages of cigarettes [and], tobacco products other than
cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid, to verify the
accuracy of the payment of taxes imposed by this chapter, and of the contents
of cartons and shipping or storage containers to ascertain that all individual
packages of cigarettes have an affixed stamp of proper denomination as required
by this chapter. This inspection may also verify that all stamps were produced
under the authority of the department. Every entity in possession of any
books, papers, and records, and the entity's agents and employees, are directed
and required to give the department and the attorney general the means,
facilities, and opportunities for the examinations. For purposes of this
chapter "entity" means one or more individuals, a company,
corporation, a partnership, an association, or any other type of legal
entity."
SECTION 9. Section 245-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
1. By amending its title to read:
"§245-31 Monthly report on
distributions of cigarettes [and], tobacco products, electronic
smoking devices, e-liquid, and purchases of stamps."
2. By amending subsection (b) to read:
"(b) On or before the twentieth day of each month, every licensee shall file on forms prescribed by the department:
(1) A report of the licensee's distributions of
tobacco products and the wholesale costs of tobacco products during the
preceding month; [and]
(2) A report of the licensee's distributions of electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e‑liquid and the wholesale costs of the electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e‑liquid during the preceding month; and
[(2)] (3) Any other information that the
department may require to carry out this part."
SECTION 10. Section 245-32, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§245-32[]] Tax
refund or credit for cigarettes [and], tobacco products,
electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid shipped for sale or use outside
the State. (a) The department shall adopt rules to provide a tobacco tax
refund or credit to a licensee who has paid a tobacco tax on the distribution
of cigarettes [or], tobacco products, electronic smoking
devices, or e-liquid that [are] is shipped to a point outside
the State for subsequent sale or use outside the State.
(b) This part shall not apply to cigarettes [or],
tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e-liquid that [are]
is distributed in this State to consumers and that are subsequently
taken outside the State."
SECTION 11. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 12. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Report Title:
Electronic Smoking Devices; E-liquid; Excise Tax; Retail Tobacco Permit; License; Retailers; Wholesalers and Dealers
Description:
Imposes an excise tax on electronic smoking devices, disposable electronic smoking devices, reusable electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid sold by a wholesaler or dealer on and after 01/01/2018. Requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or e‑liquid to obtain a retail tobacco permit. Increases the license fee for wholesalers or dealers of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid. Increases the retail tobacco permit fee for retailers of cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and e-liquid.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
