SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6330

As of February 5, 2004

Title: An act relating to tobacco sampling.

Brief Description: Providing funds to enforce the tobacco sampling statutes.

Sponsors: Senators Oke, Regala, Doumit and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/6/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: Federal law requires states to enforce laws prohibiting the sale and distribution of tobacco products to minors. RCW 70.155.060 prohibits the distribution of free samples of tobacco products to minors, or within 500 feet of a playground, school, or other facility being used primarily by persons under 18 years of age.

Upon payment of an annual fee, a person may obtain a license to distribute tobacco product samples in authorized areas. These areas include places where children under the age of 18 are denied admission, in a store or concession to which a retailer's license has been issued, or at or adjacent to a production, repair, or outdoor construction site or facility.

Summary of Bill: A tax of $1 is imposed on each tobacco product sample distributed free or at a nominal cost for promotional purposes. All proceeds from this tax, except those necessary to administer the tax, are remitted to the Liquor Control Board, to be expended solely for the enforcement of the sampling provisions of Chapter 70.155 RCW.

A tobacco sampling enforcement account is created in the custody of the State Treasurer. The account must be allotted, but no appropriation is required for expenditures. Only the director of the Department of Revenue may authorize expenditures from the account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 4, 2004.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.