SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6483
As Passed Senate, February 13, 1998
Title: An act relating to the transfer of the enforcement authority for cigarette and tobacco taxes from the department of revenue to the liquor control board.
Brief Description: Authorizing the transfer of enforcement of cigarette and tobacco taxes to the liquor control board.
Sponsors: Senator West.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 2/4/98, 2/5/98 [DP].
Passed Senate, 2/13/98, 47-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS
& MEANS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Fraser, Hochstatter, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Rossi, Schow, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.
Staff: Terry Wilson (786-7433)
Background: ESHB 2272 (L 97 C 420) transferred the enforcement authority for cigarette and tobacco taxes to the Liquor Control Board. The Governor vetoed the authority to negotiate compacts with Indian tribes and a required schedule of collections. In vetoing the schedule, the Governor was required to veto the entire section. That section also required the board to enforce the cigarette and tobacco tax laws and expanded the duties of liquor enforcement officers to include the enforcement of the cigarette and tobacco tax laws.
Summary of Bill: The Liquor Control Board must enforce the cigarette and tobacco tax laws and the duties of liquor enforcement officers are expanded to include the enforcement of the cigarette and tobacco tax laws.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The Liquor Control Board supports this legislation. This clearly gives authority to the board to enforce the cigarette and tobacco tax statutes. It clears up confusion and clarifies the intent of the Legislature. It will help us carry out our mandate.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Gary Gilbert, Liquor Control Board (pro).