Passed by the House April 28, 2019 Yeas 56 Nays 42
Speaker of the House of Representatives Passed by the Senate April 28, 2019 Yeas 35 Nays 13
President of the Senate | CERTIFICATE I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1873 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.
Chief Clerk Chief Clerk |
Approved | FILED |
| Secretary of State State of Washington |
ENGROSSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1873
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
Passed Legislature - 2019 Regular Session
State of Washington | 66th Legislature | 2019 Regular Session |
ByHouse Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Pollet, Harris, Cody, Robinson, Tarleton, Frame, Bergquist, Ryu, Kilduff, Macri, Stonier, Dolan, Orwall, Doglio, Senn, Stanford, Appleton, Callan, Wylie, Peterson, Valdez, Walen, Leavitt, Kloba, and Lovick)
READ FIRST TIME 04/25/19.
AN ACT Relating to the taxation of vapor products as tobacco products; amending RCW
66.08.145,
66.44.010,
82.24.510,
82.24.550,
82.26.060,
82.26.080,
82.26.150,
82.26.220,
82.32.300,
70.345.010,
70.345.030,
70.345.090,
43.06.450,
43.348.080, and
82.26.020; adding new sections to chapter
43.06 RCW; adding a new section to chapter
82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter
82.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter
82.32 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title
82 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW
43.348.900; prescribing penalties; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Part I
Tax on Vapor Products
NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Accessible container" means a container that is intended to be opened. The term does not mean a closed cartridge or closed container that is not intended to be opened such as a disposable e-cigarette.
(2) "Affiliated" means related in any way by virtue of any form or amount of common ownership, control, operation, or management.
(3) "Board" means the Washington state liquor and cannabis board.
(4) "Business" means any trade, occupation, activity, or enterprise engaged in selling or distributing vapor products in this state.
(5) "Distributor" mean any person:
(a) Engaged in the business of selling vapor products in this state who brings, or causes to be brought, into this state from outside the state any vapor products for sale;
(b) Who makes, manufactures, fabricates, or stores vapor products in this state for sale in this state;
(c) Engaged in the business of selling vapor products outside this state who ships or transports vapor products to retailers or consumers in this state; or
(d) Engaged in the business of selling vapor products in this state who handles for sale any vapor products that are within this state but upon which tax has not been imposed.
(6) "Indian country" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
82.24.010.
(7) "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
70.345.010.
(8) "Manufacturer's representative" means a person hired by a manufacturer to sell or distribute the manufacturer's vapor products and includes employees and independent contractors.
(9) "Person" means: Any individual, receiver, administrator, executor, assignee, trustee in bankruptcy, trust, estate, firm, copartnership, joint venture, club, company, joint stock company, business trust, municipal corporation, corporation, limited liability company, association, or society; the state and its departments and institutions; any political subdivision of the state of Washington; and any group of individuals acting as a unit, whether mutual, cooperative, fraternal, nonprofit, or otherwise. Except as provided otherwise in this chapter, "person" does not include any person immune from state taxation, including the United States or its instrumentalities, and federally recognized Indian tribes and enrolled tribal members, conducting business within Indian country.
(10) "Place of business" means any place where vapor products are sold or where vapor products are manufactured, stored, or kept for the purpose of sale, including any vessel, vehicle, airplane, or train.
(11) "Retail outlet" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
70.345.010.
(12) "Retailer" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
70.345.010.
(13) "Sale" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
70.345.010.
(14) "Taxpayer" means a person liable for the tax imposed by this chapter.
(15) "Vapor product" means any noncombustible product containing a solution or other consumable substance, regardless of whether it contains nicotine, which employs a mechanical heating element, battery, or electronic circuit regardless of shape or size that can be used to produce vapor from the solution or other substance, including an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device. The term also includes any cartridge or other container of liquid nicotine, solution, or other consumable substance, regardless of whether it contains nicotine, that is intended to be used with or in a device that can be used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized nicotine to a person inhaling from the device and is sold for such purpose.
(a) The term does not include:
(i) Any product approved by the United States food and drug administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product, medical device, or for other therapeutic purposes when such product is marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose;
(ii) Any product that will become an ingredient or component in a vapor product manufactured by a distributor; or
(iii) Any product that meets the definition of marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, marijuana-infused products, cigarette, or tobacco products.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (15):
(i) "Cigarette" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
82.24.010; and
(ii) "Marijuana," "useable marijuana," "marijuana concentrates," and "marijuana-infused products" have the same meaning as provided in RCW
69.50.101.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 102. (1)(a) There is levied and collected a tax upon the sale, use, consumption, handling, possession, or distribution of all vapor products in this state as follows:
(i) All vapor products other than those taxed under (a)(ii) of this subsection are taxed at a rate equal to twenty-seven cents per milliliter of solution, regardless of whether it contains nicotine, and a proportionate tax at the like rate on all fractional parts of a milliliter thereof.
(ii) Any accessible container of solution, regardless of whether it contains nicotine, that is greater than five milliliters, is taxed at a rate equal to nine cents per milliliter of solution and a proportionate tax at the like rate on all fractional parts of a milliliter thereof.
(b) The tax in this section must be imposed based on the volume of the solution as listed by the manufacturer.
(2)(a) The tax under this section must be collected at the time the distributor: (i) Brings, or causes to be brought, into this state from without the state vapor products for sale; (ii) makes, manufactures, fabricates, or stores vapor products in this state for sale in this state; (iii) ships or transports vapor products to retailers or consumers in this state; or (iv) handles for sale any vapor products that are within this state but upon which tax has not been imposed.
(b) The tax imposed under this section must also be collected by the department from the consumer of vapor products where the tax imposed under this section was not paid by the distributor on such vapor products.
(3)(a) The moneys collected under this section must be deposited as follows:
(i) Fifty percent into the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund match transfer account created in RCW
43.348.080; and
(ii) Fifty percent into the foundational public health services account created in section 103 of this act.
(b) The funding provided under this subsection is intended to supplement and not supplant general fund investments in cancer research and foundational public health services.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 103. The foundational public health services account is created in the state treasury. Half of all of the moneys collected from the tax imposed on vapor products under RCW 66.44.010 must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Moneys in the account are to be used for the following purposes: (1) To fund foundational health services. In the 2019-2021 biennium, at least twelve million dollars of the funds deposited into the account must be appropriated for this purpose. Beginning in the 2021-2023 biennium, fifty percent of the funds deposited into the account, but not less than twelve million dollars each biennium, are to be used for this purpose;
(2) To fund tobacco, vapor product, and nicotine control and prevention, and other substance use prevention and education. Beginning in the 2021-2023 biennium, seventeen percent of the funds deposited into the account are to be used for this purpose;
(3) To support increased access and training of public health professionals at public health programs at accredited public institutions of higher education in Washington. Beginning in the 2021-2023 biennium, five percent of the funds deposited into the account are to be used for this purpose;
(4) To fund enforcement by the state liquor and cannabis board of the provisions of this chapter to prevent sales of vapor products to minors and related provisions for control of marketing and product safety, provided that no more than eight percent of the funds deposited into the account may be appropriated for these enforcement purposes.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 104. It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to levy a tax on all vapor products sold, used, consumed, handled, possessed, or distributed within this state. It is the further intent and purpose of this chapter to impose the tax only once on all vapor products in this state. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to exempt any person taxable under any other law or under any other tax imposed under this title.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 105. The tax imposed by section 102 of this act does not apply with respect to any vapor products which under the Constitution and laws of the United States may not be made the subject of taxation by this state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 106. (1) Every distributor must keep at each place of business complete and accurate records for that place of business, including itemized invoices, of vapor products held, purchased, manufactured, brought in or caused to be brought in from without the state, or shipped or transported to retailers in this state, and of all sales of vapor products made.
(2) These records must show the names and addresses of purchasers, the inventory of all vapor products, and other pertinent papers and documents relating to the purchase, sale, or disposition of vapor products. All invoices and other records required by this section to be kept must be preserved for a period of five years from the date of the invoices or other documents or the date of the entries appearing in the records.
(3) At any time during usual business hours the department, board, or its duly authorized agents or employees may enter any place of business of a distributor, without a search warrant, and inspect the premises, the records required to be kept under this chapter, and the vapor products contained therein, to determine whether or not all the provisions of this chapter are being fully complied with. If the department, board, or any of its agents or employees are denied free access or are hindered or interfered with in making such examination, the registration certificate issued under RCW
82.32.030 of the distributor at such premises are subject to revocation by the department, and any licenses issued under chapter
70.345, 82.26, or
82.24 RCW are subject to suspension or revocation by the board.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 107. Every person required to be licensed under chapter 70.345 RCW who sells vapor products to persons other than the ultimate consumer must render with each sale itemized invoices showing the seller's name and address, the purchaser's name and address, the date of sale, and all prices. The person must preserve legible copies of all such invoices for five years from the date of sale. NEW SECTION. Sec. 108. (1) Every retailer must procure itemized invoices of all vapor products purchased. The invoices must show the seller's name and address, the date of purchase, and all prices and discounts.
(2) The retailer must keep at each retail outlet copies of complete, accurate, and legible invoices for that retail outlet or place of business. All invoices required to be kept under this section must be preserved for five years from the date of purchase.
(3) At any time during usual business hours the department, board, or its duly authorized agents or employees may enter any retail outlet without a search warrant, and inspect the premises for invoices required to be kept under this section and the vapor products contained in the retail outlet, to determine whether or not all the provisions of this chapter are being fully complied with. If the department, board, or any of its agents or employees are denied free access or are hindered or interfered with in making the inspection, the registration certificate issued under RCW
82.32.030 of the retailer at the premises is subject to revocation by the department, and any licenses issued under chapter
70.345, 82.26, or
82.24 RCW are subject to suspension or revocation by the board.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 109. (1)(a) Where vapor products upon which the tax imposed by this chapter has been reported and paid are shipped or transported outside this state by the distributor to a person engaged in the business of selling vapor products, to be sold by that person, or are returned to the manufacturer by the distributor or destroyed by the distributor, or are sold by the distributor to the United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or are sold by the distributor to any Indian tribal organization, credit of such tax may be made to the distributor in accordance with rules prescribed by the department.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (1), the following definitions apply:
(i) "Indian distributor" means a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal entity that would otherwise meet the definition of "distributor" under section 101 of this act, if federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal entities were not excluded from the definition of "person" in section 101 of this act.
(ii) "Indian retailer" means a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal entity that would otherwise meet the definition of "retailer" under section 101 of this act, if federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal entities were not excluded from the definition of "person" in section 101 of this act.
(iii) "Indian tribal organization" means a federally recognized Indian tribe, or tribal entity, and includes an Indian distributor or retailer that is owned by an Indian who is an enrolled tribal member conducting business under tribal license or similar tribal approval within Indian country.
(2) Credit allowed under this section must be determined based on the tax rate in effect for the period for which the tax imposed by this chapter, for which a credit is sought, was paid.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 110. All of the provisions contained in chapter 82.32 RCW not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter have full force and application with respect to taxes imposed under the provisions of this chapter. NEW SECTION. Sec. 111. The department must authorize, as duly authorized agents, enforcement officers of the board to enforce provisions of this chapter. These officers are not employees of the department.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 112. (1) The department may by rule establish the invoice detail required under section 106 of this act for a distributor and for those invoices required to be provided to retailers under section 108 of this act.
(2) If a retailer fails to keep invoices as required under section 108 of this act, the retailer is liable for the tax owed on any uninvoiced vapor products but not penalties and interest, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
(3) If the department finds that the nonpayment of tax by the retailer was willful or if in the case of a second or plural nonpayment of tax by the retailer, penalties and interest must be assessed in accordance with chapter
82.32 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 113. (1) No person may transport or cause to be transported in this state vapor products for sale other than: (a) A licensed distributor under chapter 70.345 RCW, or a manufacturer's representative authorized to sell or distribute vapor products in this state under chapter 70.345 RCW; (b) a licensed retailer under chapter 70.345 RCW; (c) a seller with a valid delivery sale license under chapter 70.345 RCW; or (d) a person who has given notice to the board in advance of the commencement of transportation. (2) When transporting vapor products for sale, the person must have in his or her actual possession, or cause to have in the actual possession of those persons transporting such vapor products on his or her behalf, invoices or delivery tickets for the vapor products, which must show the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name and address of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of the vapor products being transported.
(3) In any case where the department or the board, or any peace officer of the state, has knowledge or reasonable grounds to believe that any vehicle is transporting vapor products in violation of this section, the department, board, or peace officer is authorized to stop the vehicle and to inspect it for contraband vapor products.
(4) This section does not apply to a motor carrier or freight forwarder as defined in Title 49 U.S.C. Sec. 13102 or an air carrier as defined in Title 49 U.S.C. Sec. 40102.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 114. The board must compile and maintain a current record of the names of all distributors, retailers, and delivery sales licenses under chapter 70.345 RCW and the status of their license or licenses. The information must be updated on a monthly basis and published on the board's official internet web site. This information is not subject to the confidentiality provisions of RCW 82.32.330 and must be disclosed to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and the general public upon request. NEW SECTION. Sec. 115. (1) No person engaged in or conducting business as a distributor or retailer in this state may:
(a) Make, use, or present or exhibit to the department or the board any invoice for any of the vapor products taxed under this chapter that bears an untrue date or falsely states the nature or quantity of the goods invoiced; or
(b) Fail to produce on demand of the department or the board all invoices of all the vapor products taxed under this chapter within five years prior to such demand unless the person can show by satisfactory proof that the nonproduction of the invoices was due to causes beyond the person's control.
(2)(a) No person, other than a licensed distributor, retailer or delivery sales licensee, or manufacturer's representative, may transport vapor products for sale in this state for which the taxes imposed under this chapter have not been paid unless:
(i) Notice of the transportation has been given as required under section 113 of this act;
(ii) The person transporting the vapor products actually possesses invoices or delivery tickets showing the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name and address of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of vapor products being transported; and
(iii) The vapor products are consigned to or purchased by a person in this state who is licensed under chapter
70.345 RCW.
(b) A violation of this subsection (2) is a gross misdemeanor.
(3) Any person licensed under chapter
70.345 RCW as a distributor, and any person licensed under chapter
70.345 RCW as a retailer, may not operate in any other capacity unless the additional appropriate license is first secured, except as otherwise provided by law. A violation of this subsection (3) is a misdemeanor.
(4) The penalties provided in this section are in addition to any other penalties provided by law for violating the provisions of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter.
(5) This section does not apply to a motor carrier or freight forwarder as defined in Title 49 U.S.C. Sec. 13102 or an air carrier as defined in Title 49 U.S.C. Sec. 40102.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 116. (1) A retailer that obtains vapor products from an unlicensed distributor or any other person that is not licensed under chapter 70.345 RCW must be licensed both as a retailer and a distributor and is liable for the tax imposed under section 102 of this act with respect to the vapor products acquired from the unlicensed person that are held for sale, handling, or distribution in this state. For the purposes of this subsection, "person" includes both persons defined in this act and any person immune from state taxation, such as the United States or its instrumentalities, and federally recognized Indian tribes and enrolled tribal members, conducting business within Indian country. (2) Every distributor licensed under chapter
70.345 RCW may sell vapor products to retailers located in Washington only if the retailer has a current retailer's license under chapter
70.345 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 117. A manufacturer that has manufacturer's representatives who sell or distribute the manufacturer's vapor products in this state must provide the board a list of the names and addresses of all such representatives and must ensure that the list provided to the board is kept current. A manufacturer's representative is not authorized to distribute or sell vapor products in this state unless the manufacturer that hired the representative has a valid distributor's license under chapter 70.345 RCW and that manufacturer provides the board a current list of all of its manufacturer's representatives as required by this section. A manufacturer's representative must carry a copy of the distributor's license of the manufacturer that hired the representative at all times when selling or distributing the manufacturer's vapor products. NEW SECTION. Sec. 118. (1) Any vapor products in the possession of a person selling vapor products in this state acting as a distributor or retailer and who is not licensed as required under chapter 70.345 RCW, or a person who is selling vapor products in violation of RCW 82.24.550(6), may be seized without a warrant by any agent of the department, agent of the board, or law enforcement officer of this state. Any vapor products seized under this subsection are deemed forfeited. (2) Any vapor products in the possession of a person who is not a licensed distributor, delivery seller, manufacturer's representative, or retailer and who transports vapor products for sale without having provided notice to the board required under section 113 of this act, or without invoices or delivery tickets showing the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name and address of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of vapor products being transported may be seized and are subject to forfeiture.
(3) All conveyances, including aircraft, vehicles, or vessels that are used, or intended for use to transport, or in any manner to facilitate the transportation, for the purpose of sale or receipt of vapor products under subsection (2) of this section, may be seized and are subject to forfeiture except:
(a) A conveyance used by any person as a common or contract carrier having in actual possession invoices or delivery tickets showing the true name and address of the consignor or seller, the true name of the consignee or purchaser, and the quantity and brands of the vapor products transported, unless it appears that the owner or other person in charge of the conveyance is a consenting party or privy to a violation of this chapter;
(b) A conveyance subject to forfeiture under this section by reason of any act or omission of which the owner establishes to have been committed or omitted without his or her knowledge or consent; or
(c) A conveyance encumbered by a bona fide security interest if the secured party neither had knowledge of nor consented to the act or omission.
(4) Property subject to forfeiture under subsections (2) and (3) of this section may be seized by any agent of the department, the board, or law enforcement officer of this state upon process issued by any superior court or district court having jurisdiction over the property. Seizure without process may be made if:
(a) The seizure is incident to an arrest or a search warrant or an inspection under an administrative inspection warrant; or
(b) The department, board, or law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the property was used or is intended to be used in violation of this chapter and exigent circumstances exist making procurement of a search warrant impracticable.
(5) This section may not be construed to require the seizure of vapor products if the department's agent, board's agent, or law enforcement officer reasonably believes that the vapor products are possessed for personal consumption by the person in possession of the vapor products.
(6) Any vapor products seized by a law enforcement officer must be turned over to the board as soon as practicable.
(7) This section does not apply to a motor carrier or freight forwarder as defined in Title 49 U.S.C. Sec. 13102 or an air carrier as defined in Title 49 U.S.C. Sec. 40102.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 119. (1) In all cases of seizure of any vapor products made subject to forfeiture under this chapter, the department or board must proceed as provided in RCW 82.24.135. (2) When vapor products are forfeited under this chapter, the department or board may:
(a) Retain the property for official use or upon application by any law enforcement agency of this state, another state, or the District of Columbia, or of the United States for the exclusive use of enforcing this chapter or the laws of any other state or the District of Columbia or of the United States; or
(b) Sell the vapor products at public auction to the highest bidder after due advertisement. Before delivering any of the goods to the successful bidder, the department or board must require the purchaser to pay the proper amount of any tax due. The proceeds of the sale must be first applied to the payment of all proper expenses of any investigation leading to the seizure and of the proceedings for forfeiture and sale, including expenses of seizure, maintenance of custody, advertising, and court costs. The balance of the proceeds and all money must be deposited in the general fund of the state. Proper expenses of investigation include costs incurred by any law enforcement agency or any federal, state, or local agency.
(3) The department or the board may return any property seized under the provisions of this chapter when it is shown that there was no intention to violate the provisions of this chapter. When any property is returned under this section, the department or the board may return the property to the parties from whom they were seized if and when such parties have paid the proper amount of tax due under this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 120. When the department or the board has good reason to believe that any of the vapor products taxed under this chapter are being kept, sold, offered for sale, or given away in violation of the provisions of this chapter, it may make affidavit of facts describing the place or thing to be searched, before any judge of any court in this state, and the judge must issue a search warrant directed to the sheriff, any deputy, police officer, or duly authorized agent of the department or the board commanding him or her diligently to search any building, room in a building, place, or vehicle as may be designated in the affidavit and search warrant, and to seize the vapor products and hold them until disposed of by law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 121. (1)(a) Where vapor products upon which the tax imposed by this chapter has been reported and paid are shipped or transported outside this state by the distributor to a person engaged in the business of selling vapor products, to be sold by that person, or are returned to the manufacturer by the distributor or destroyed by the distributor, or are sold by the distributor to the United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or are sold by the distributor to any Indian tribal organization, credit of such tax may be made to the distributor in accordance with rules prescribed by the department.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (1), the following definitions apply:
(i) "Indian distributor" means a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal entity that would otherwise meet the definition of "distributor" under section 101 of this act, if federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal entities were not excluded from the definition of "person" in section 101 of this act.
(ii) "Indian retailer" means a federally recognized Indian tribe or tribal entity that would otherwise meet the definition of "retailer" under section 101 of this act, if federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal entities were not excluded from the definition of "person" in section 101 of this act.
(iii) "Indian tribal organization" means a federally recognized Indian tribe, or tribal entity, and includes an Indian distributor or retailer that is owned by an Indian who is an enrolled tribal member conducting business under tribal license or similar tribal approval within Indian country.
(2) Credit allowed under this section must be determined based on the tax rate in effect for the period for which the tax imposed by this chapter, for which a credit is sought, was paid.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 122. (1) Preexisting inventories of vapor products are subject to the tax imposed in section 102 of this act. All retailers and other distributors must report the tax due under section 102 of this act on preexisting inventories of vapor products on a form, as prescribed by the department, on or before October 31, 2019, and the tax due on such preexisting inventories must be paid on or before January 31, 2020.
(2) Reports under subsection (1) of this section not filed with the department by October 31, 2019, are subject to a late filing penalty equal to the greater of two hundred fifty dollars or ten percent of the tax due under section 102 of this act on the taxpayer's preexisting inventories.
(3) The department must notify the taxpayer of the amount of tax due under section 102 of this act on preexisting inventories, which is subject to applicable penalties under RCW
82.32.090 (2) through (7) if unpaid after January 31, 2020. Amounts due in accordance with this section are not considered to be substantially underpaid for the purposes of RCW
82.32.090(2).
(4) Interest, at the rate provided in RCW
82.32.050(2), must be computed daily beginning February 1, 2020, on any remaining tax due under section 102 of this act on preexisting inventories until paid.
(5) A retailer required to comply with subsection (1) of this section is not required to obtain a distributor license as otherwise required under chapter
70.345 RCW as long as the retailer:
(a) Does not sell vapor products other than to ultimate consumers; and
(b) Does not meet the definition of "distributor" in section 101 of this act other than with respect to the sale of that retailer's preexisting inventory of vapor products.
(6) Taxes may not be collected under section 102 of this act from consumers with respect to any vapor products acquired before the effective date of this section.
(7) For purposes of this section, "preexisting inventory" means an inventory of vapor products located in this state as of the moment that section 102 of this act takes effect and held by a distributor for sale, handling, or distribution in this state.
Part II
Conforming Amendments
Sec. 201. RCW
66.08.145 and 2016 sp.s. c 38 s 29 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The liquor and cannabis board may issue subpoenas in connection with any investigation, hearing, or proceeding for the production of books, records, and documents held under this chapter or chapters
70.155, 70.158, 70.345, 82.24, ((
and)) 82.26 ((
RCW)),
and 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act), and books and records of common carriers as defined in RCW
81.80.010, or vehicle rental agencies relating to the transportation or possession of cigarettes
, vapor products, or other tobacco products.
(2) The liquor and cannabis board may designate individuals authorized to sign subpoenas.
(3) If any person is served a subpoena from the board for the production of records, documents, and books, and fails or refuses to obey the subpoena for the production of records, documents, and books when required to do so, the person is subject to proceedings for contempt, and the board may institute contempt of court proceedings in the superior court of Thurston county or in the county in which the person resides.
Sec. 202. RCW
66.44.010 and 1998 c 18 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) All county and municipal peace officers are hereby charged with the duty of investigating and prosecuting all violations of this title, and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor, and all fines imposed for violations of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor ((
shall)) belong to the county, city or town wherein the court imposing the fine is located, and ((
shall))
must be placed in the general fund for payment of the salaries of those engaged in the enforcement of the provisions of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor((
: PROVIDED, That))
. However, all fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties collected or assessed by a district court because of the violation of a state law ((
shall))
must be remitted as provided in chapter
3.62 RCW as now exists or is later amended.
(2) In addition to any and all other powers granted, the board ((shall have))has the power to enforce the penal provisions of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor.
(3) In addition to the other duties under this section, the board ((
shall))
must enforce chapters
82.24 ((
and))
, 82.26 ((
RCW))
, and 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act).
(4) The board may appoint and employ, assign to duty and fix the compensation of, officers to be designated as liquor enforcement officers. Such liquor enforcement officers ((
shall)) have the power, under the supervision of the board, to enforce the penal provisions of this title and the penal laws of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor. They ((
shall)) have the power and authority to serve and execute all warrants and process of law issued by the courts in enforcing the penal provisions of this title or of any penal law of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor, and the provisions of chapters
82.24 ((
and))
, 82.26 ((
RCW))
, and 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act). They ((
shall)) have the power to arrest without a warrant any person or persons found in the act of violating any of the penal provisions of this title or of any penal law of this state relating to the manufacture, importation, transportation, possession, distribution and sale of liquor, and the provisions of chapters
82.24 ((
and))
, 82.26 ((
RCW))
, and 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act).
Sec. 203. RCW
82.24.510 and 2013 c 144 s 50 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The licenses issuable under this chapter are as follows:
(a) A wholesaler's license.
(b) A retailer's license.
(2) Application for the licenses must be made through the business licensing system under chapter
19.02 RCW. The board must adopt rules regarding the regulation of the licenses. The board may refrain from the issuance of any license under this chapter if the board has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant has willfully withheld information requested for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the applicant to receive a license, or if the board has reasonable cause to believe that information submitted in the application is false or misleading or is not made in good faith. In addition, for the purpose of reviewing an application for a wholesaler's license or retailer's license and for considering the denial, suspension, or revocation of any such license, the board may consider any prior criminal conduct of the applicant, including an administrative violation history record with the board and a criminal history record information check within the previous five years, in any state, tribal, or federal jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or possessions, and the provisions of RCW
9.95.240 and chapter
9.96A RCW do not apply to such cases. The board may, in its discretion, grant or refuse the wholesaler's license or retailer's license, subject to the provisions of RCW
82.24.550.
(3) No person may qualify for a wholesaler's license or a retailer's license under this section without first undergoing a criminal background check. The background check must be performed by the board and must disclose any criminal conduct within the previous five years in any state, tribal, or federal jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or possessions. A person who possesses a valid license on July 22, 2001, is subject to this subsection and subsection (2) of this section beginning on the date of the person's business license expiration under chapter
19.02 RCW, and thereafter. If the applicant or licensee also has a license issued under chapter
66.24 ((
or))
, 82.26
, or 70.345 RCW, the background check done under the authority of chapter
66.24 ((
or))
, 82.26
, or 70.345 RCW satisfies the requirements of this section.
(4) Each such license expires on the business license expiration date, and each such license must be continued annually if the licensee has paid the required fee and complied with all the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the board made pursuant thereto.
(5) Each license and any other evidence of the license that the board requires must be exhibited in each place of business for which it is issued and in the manner required for the display of a business license.
Sec. 204. RCW
82.24.550 and 2015 c 86 s 307 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The board must enforce the provisions of this chapter. The board may adopt, amend, and repeal rules necessary to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(2) The department may adopt, amend, and repeal rules necessary to administer the provisions of this chapter. The board may revoke or suspend the license or permit of any wholesale or retail cigarette dealer in the state upon sufficient cause appearing of the violation of this chapter or upon the failure of such licensee to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter.
(3) A license may not be suspended or revoked except upon notice to the licensee and after a hearing as prescribed by the board. The board, upon finding that the licensee has failed to comply with any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, must, in the case of the first offense, suspend the license or licenses of the licensee for a period of not less than thirty consecutive business days, and, in the case of a second or further offense, must suspend the license or licenses for a period of not less than ninety consecutive business days nor more than twelve months, and, in the event the board finds the licensee has been guilty of willful and persistent violations, it may revoke the license or licenses.
(4) Any licenses issued under chapter
82.26 or 70.345 RCW to a person whose license or licenses have been suspended or revoked under this section must also be suspended or revoked during the period of suspension or revocation under this section.
(5) Any person whose license or licenses have been revoked under this section may reapply to the board at the expiration of one year from the date of revocation of the license or licenses. The license or licenses may be approved by the board if it appears to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee will comply with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter.
(6) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked may not sell cigarettes, vapor products, or tobacco products or permit cigarettes, vapor products, or tobacco products to be sold during the period of such suspension or revocation on the premises occupied by the person or upon other premises controlled by the person or others or in any other manner or form whatever.
(7) Any determination and order by the board, and any order of suspension or revocation by the board of the license or licenses issued under this chapter, or refusal to reinstate a license or licenses after revocation is reviewable by an appeal to the superior court of Thurston county. The superior court must review the order or ruling of the board and may hear the matter de novo, having due regard to the provisions of this chapter and the duties imposed upon the board.
(8) If the board makes an initial decision to deny a license or renewal, or suspend or revoke a license, the applicant may request a hearing subject to the applicable provisions under Title
34 RCW.
(9) For purposes of this section((,)):
(a) "
Tobacco products" has the same meaning as
provided in RCW
82.26.010; and (b) "Vapor products" has the same meaning as provided in section 101 of this act.
Sec. 205. RCW
82.26.060 and 2009 c 154 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Every distributor ((shall))must keep at each place of business complete and accurate records for that place of business, including itemized invoices, of tobacco products held, purchased, manufactured, brought in or caused to be brought in from without the state, or shipped or transported to retailers in this state, and of all sales of tobacco products made.
(2) These records ((shall))must show the names and addresses of purchasers, the inventory of all tobacco products, and other pertinent papers and documents relating to the purchase, sale, or disposition of tobacco products. All invoices and other records required by this section to be kept ((shall))must be preserved for a period of five years from the date of the invoices or other documents or the date of the entries appearing in the records.
(3) At any time during usual business hours the department, board, or its duly authorized agents or employees, may enter any place of business of a distributor, without a search warrant, and inspect the premises, the records required to be kept under this chapter, and the tobacco products contained therein, to determine whether or not all the provisions of this chapter are being fully complied with. If the department, board, or any of its agents or employees, are denied free access or are hindered or interfered with in making such examination, the registration certificate issued under RCW
82.32.030 of the distributor at such premises ((
shall be))
is subject to revocation, and any licenses issued under this chapter or chapter
82.24 or 70.345 RCW are subject to suspension or revocation, by the department or board.
Sec. 206. RCW
82.26.080 and 2005 c 180 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Every retailer ((shall))must procure itemized invoices of all tobacco products purchased. The invoices ((shall))must show the seller's name and address, the date of purchase, and all prices and discounts.
(2) The retailer ((shall))must keep at each retail outlet copies of complete, accurate, and legible invoices for that retail outlet or place of business. All invoices required to be kept under this section ((shall))must be preserved for five years from the date of purchase.
(3) At any time during usual business hours the department, board, or its duly authorized agents or employees may enter any retail outlet without a search warrant, and inspect the premises for invoices required to be kept under this section and the tobacco products contained in the retail outlet, to determine whether or not all the provisions of this chapter are being fully complied with. If the department, board, or any of its agents or employees, are denied free access or are hindered or interfered with in making the inspection, the registration certificate issued under RCW
82.32.030 of the retailer at the premises is subject to revocation, and any licenses issued under this chapter or chapter
82.24 or 70.345 RCW are subject to suspension or revocation by the department.
Sec. 207. RCW
82.26.150 and 2013 c 144 s 52 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The licenses issuable by the board under this chapter are as follows:
(a) A distributor's license; and
(b) A retailer's license.
(2) Application for the licenses must be made through the business licensing system under chapter
19.02 RCW. The board may adopt rules regarding the regulation of the licenses. The board may refuse to issue any license under this chapter if the board has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant has willfully withheld information requested for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the applicant to receive a license, or if the board has reasonable cause to believe that information submitted in the application is false or misleading or is not made in good faith. In addition, for the purpose of reviewing an application for a distributor's license or retailer's license and for considering the denial, suspension, or revocation of any such license, the board may consider criminal conduct of the applicant, including an administrative violation history record with the board and a criminal history record information check within the previous five years, in any state, tribal, or federal jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or possessions, and the provisions of RCW
9.95.240 and chapter
9.96A RCW do not apply to such cases. The board may, in its discretion, issue or refuse to issue the distributor's license or retailer's license, subject to the provisions of RCW
82.26.220.
(3) No person may qualify for a distributor's license or a retailer's license under this section without first undergoing a criminal background check. The background check must be performed by the board and must disclose any criminal conduct within the previous five years in any state, tribal, or federal jurisdiction in the United States, its territories, or possessions. If the applicant or licensee also has a license issued under chapter
66.24 ((
or))
, 82.24
, or 70.345 RCW, the background check done under the authority of chapter
66.24, 70.345, or
82.24 RCW satisfies the requirements of this section.
(4) Each license issued under this chapter expires on the business license expiration date. The license must be continued annually if the licensee has paid the required fee and complied with all the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the board adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(5) Each license and any other evidence of the license required under this chapter must be exhibited in each place of business for which it is issued and in the manner required for the display of a business license.
Sec. 208. RCW
82.26.220 and 2015 c 86 s 308 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The board must enforce this chapter. The board may adopt, amend, and repeal rules necessary to enforce this chapter.
(2) The department may adopt, amend, and repeal rules necessary to administer this chapter. The board may revoke or suspend the distributor's or retailer's license of any distributor or retailer of tobacco products in the state upon sufficient cause showing a violation of this chapter or upon the failure of the licensee to comply with any of the rules adopted under it.
(3) A license may not be suspended or revoked except upon notice to the licensee and after a hearing as prescribed by the board. The board, upon finding that the licensee has failed to comply with any provision of this chapter or of any rule adopted under it, must, in the case of the first offense, suspend the license or licenses of the licensee for a period of not less than thirty consecutive business days, and in the case of a second or further offense, suspend the license or licenses for a period of not less than ninety consecutive business days but not more than twelve months, and in the event the board finds the licensee has been guilty of willful and persistent violations, it may revoke the license or licenses.
(4) Any licenses issued under chapter
82.24 or 70.345 RCW to a person whose license or licenses have been suspended or revoked under this section must also be suspended or revoked during the period of suspension or revocation under this section.
(5) Any person whose license or licenses have been revoked under this section may reapply to the board at the expiration of one year of the license or licenses. The license or licenses may be approved by the board if it appears to the satisfaction of the board that the licensee will comply with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under it.
(6) A person whose license has been suspended or revoked may not sell tobacco products, vapor products, or cigarettes or permit tobacco products, vapor products, or cigarettes to be sold during the period of suspension or revocation on the premises occupied by the person or upon other premises controlled by the person or others or in any other manner or form.
(7) Any determination and order by the board, and any order of suspension or revocation by the board of the license or licenses issued under this chapter, or refusal to reinstate a license or licenses after revocation is reviewable by an appeal to the superior court of Thurston county. The superior court must review the order or ruling of the board and may hear the matter de novo, having due regard to the provisions of this chapter and the duties imposed upon the board.
(8) If the board makes an initial decision to deny a license or renewal, or suspend or revoke a license, the applicant may request a hearing subject to the applicable provisions under Title
34 RCW.
Sec. 209. RCW
82.32.300 and 1997 c 420 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The administration of this and chapters
82.04 through
82.27 RCW of this title is vested in the department ((
of revenue which shall))
, which must prescribe forms and rules of procedure for the determination of the taxable status of any person, for the making of returns and for the ascertainment, assessment and collection of taxes and penalties imposed thereunder.
(2) The department ((
of revenue shall))
must make and publish rules and regulations, not inconsistent therewith, necessary to enforce provisions of this chapter and chapters
82.02 through 82.23B and
82.27 RCW, and the liquor ((
control))
and cannabis board ((
shall))
must make and publish rules necessary to enforce chapters
82.24 ((
and))
, 82.26 ((
RCW)),
and 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act), which ((
shall have))
has the same force and effect as if specifically included therein, unless declared invalid by the judgment of a court of record not appealed from.
(3) The department may employ such clerks, specialists, and other assistants as are necessary. Salaries and compensation of such employees ((shall))must be fixed by the department and ((shall be)) charged to the proper appropriation for the department.
(4) The department ((shall))must exercise general supervision of the collection of taxes and, in the discharge of such duty, may institute and prosecute such suits or proceedings in the courts as may be necessary and proper.
Sec. 210. RCW
70.345.010 and 2016 sp.s. c 38 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Board" means the Washington state liquor and cannabis board.
(2) "Business" means any trade, occupation, activity, or enterprise engaged in for the purpose of selling or distributing vapor products in this state.
(3) "Child care facility" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
70.140.020.
(4) "Closed system nicotine container" means a sealed, prefilled, and disposable container of nicotine in a solution or other form in which such container is inserted directly into an electronic cigarette, electronic nicotine delivery system, or other similar product, if the nicotine in the container is inaccessible through customary or reasonably foreseeable handling or use, including reasonably foreseeable ingestion or other contact by children.
(5) "Delivery sale" means any sale of a vapor product to a purchaser in this state where either:
(a) The purchaser submits the order for such sale by means of a telephonic or other method of voice transmission, the mails or any other delivery service, or the internet or other online service; or
(b) The vapor product is delivered by use of the mails or of a delivery service. The foregoing sales of vapor products constitute a delivery sale regardless of whether the seller is located within or without this state. "Delivery sale" does not include a sale of any vapor product not for personal consumption to a retailer.
(6) "Delivery seller" means a person who makes delivery sales.
(7) "Distributor" ((means any person who:
(a) Sells vapor products to persons other than ultimate consumers; or
(b) Is engaged in the business of selling vapor products in this state and who brings, or causes to be brought, into this state from outside of the state any vapor products for sale))has the same meaning as in section 101 of this act.
(8) "Liquid nicotine container" means a package from which nicotine in a solution or other form is accessible through normal and foreseeable use by a consumer and that is used to hold soluble nicotine in any concentration. "Liquid nicotine container" does not include closed system nicotine containers.
(9) "Manufacturer" means a person who manufactures and sells vapor products.
(10) "Minor" refers to an individual who is less than eighteen years old.
(11) "Person" means any individual, receiver, administrator, executor, assignee, trustee in bankruptcy, trust, estate, firm, copartnership, joint venture, club, company, joint stock company, business trust, municipal corporation, the state and its departments and institutions, political subdivision of the state of Washington, corporation, limited liability company, association, society, any group of individuals acting as a unit, whether mutual, cooperative, fraternal, nonprofit, or otherwise.
(12) "Place of business" means any place where vapor products are sold or where vapor products are manufactured, stored, or kept for the purpose of sale.
(13) "Playground" means any public improved area designed, equipped, and set aside for play of six or more children which is not intended for use as an athletic playing field or athletic court, including but not limited to any play equipment, surfacing, fencing, signs, internal pathways, internal land forms, vegetation, and related structures.
(14) "Retail outlet" means each place of business from which vapor products are sold to consumers.
(15) "Retailer" means any person engaged in the business of selling vapor products to ultimate consumers.
(16)(a) "Sale" means any transfer, exchange, or barter, in any manner or by any means whatsoever, for a consideration, and includes and means all sales made by any person.
(b) The term "sale" includes a gift by a person engaged in the business of selling vapor products, for advertising, promoting, or as a means of evading the provisions of this chapter.
(17) "School" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
70.140.020.
(18) "Self-service display" means a display that contains vapor products and is located in an area that is openly accessible to customers and from which customers can readily access such products without the assistance of a salesperson. A display case that holds vapor products behind locked doors does not constitute a self-service display.
(19) "Vapor product" means any noncombustible product that may contain nicotine and that employs a heating element, power source, electronic circuit, or other electronic, chemical, or mechanical means, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce vapor or aerosol from a solution or other substance.
(a) "Vapor product" includes any electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device and any vapor cartridge or other container that may contain nicotine in a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in an electronic cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, or similar product or device.
(b) "Vapor product" does not include any product that meets the definition of marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana concentrates, marijuana-infused products, cigarette, or tobacco products.
(c) For purposes of this subsection (19), "marijuana," "useable marijuana," "marijuana concentrates," and "marijuana-infused products" have the same meaning as provided in RCW
69.50.101.
Sec. 211. RCW
70.345.030 and 2016 sp.s. c 38 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:
(1)(a) No person may engage in or conduct business as a retailer, distributor, or delivery seller in this state without a valid license issued under this chapter, except as otherwise provided by law. Any person who sells vapor products to ultimate consumers by a means other than delivery sales must obtain a retailer's license under this chapter. Any person who ((sells vapor products to persons other than ultimate consumers or who)) meets the definition of distributor under this chapter must obtain a distributor's license under this chapter. Any person who conducts delivery sales of vapor products must obtain a delivery sale license.
(b) A violation of this subsection is punishable as a class C felony according to chapter
9A.20 RCW.
(2) No person engaged in or conducting business as a retailer, distributor, or delivery seller in this state may refuse to allow the enforcement officers of the board, on demand, to make full inspection of any place of business or vehicle where any of the vapor products regulated under this chapter are sold, stored, transported, or handled, or otherwise hinder or prevent such inspection. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.
(3) Any person licensed under this chapter as a distributor, any person licensed under this chapter as a retailer, and any person licensed under this chapter as a delivery seller may not operate in any other capacity unless the additional appropriate license is first secured, except as otherwise provided by law. A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.
(4) No person engaged in or conducting business as a retailer, distributor, or delivery seller in this state may sell or give, or permit to sell or give, a product that contains any amount of any cannabinoid, synthetic cannabinoid, cathinone, or methcathinone, unless otherwise provided by law. A violation of this subsection (4) is punishable according to RCW
69.50.401.
(5) The penalties provided in this section are in addition to any other penalties provided by law for violating the provisions of this chapter or the rules adopted under this chapter.
Sec. 212. RCW
70.345.090 and 2016 sp.s. c 38 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) No person may conduct a delivery sale or otherwise ship or transport, or cause to be shipped or transported, any vapor product ordered or purchased by mail or through the internet to any person unless such seller has a valid delivery sale license as required under this chapter.
(2) No person may conduct a delivery sale or otherwise ship or transport, or cause to be shipped or transported, any vapor product ordered or purchased by mail or through the internet to any person under the minimum age required for the legal sale of vapor products as provided under RCW
70.345.140.
(3) A delivery sale licensee must provide notice on its mail order or internet sales forms of the minimum age required for the legal sale of vapor products in Washington state as provided by RCW
70.345.140.
(4) A delivery sale licensee must not accept a purchase or order from any person without first obtaining the full name, birth date, and residential address of that person and verifying this information through an independently operated third-party database or aggregate of databases, which includes data from government sources, that are regularly used by government and businesses for the purpose of age and identity verification and authentication.
(5) A delivery sale licensee must accept payment only through a credit or debit card issued in the purchaser's own name. The licensee must verify that the card is issued to the same person identified through identity and age verification procedures in subsection (4) of this section.
(6) Before a delivery sale licensee delivers an initial purchase to any person, the licensee must verify the identity and delivery address of the purchaser by mailing or shipping to the purchaser a notice of sale and certification form confirming that the addressee is in fact the person placing the order. The purchaser must return the signed certification form to the licensee before the initial shipment of product. Certification forms are not required for repeat customers. In the alternative, before a seller delivers an initial purchase to any person, the seller must first obtain from the prospective customer an electronic certification, such as by email, that includes a declaration that, at a minimum, the prospective customer is over the minimum age required for the legal sale of a vapor product, and the credit or debit card used for payment has been issued in the purchaser's name.
(7) A delivery sale licensee must include on shipping documents a clear and conspicuous statement which includes, at a minimum, that the package contains vapor products, Washington law prohibits sales to those under the minimum age established by this chapter, and violations may result in sanctions to both the licensee and the purchaser.
(8) For purposes of this subsection (8), "vapor products" has the same meaning as provided in section 101 of this act.
(9) A person who knowingly violates this section is guilty of a class C felony, except that the maximum fine that may be imposed is five thousand dollars.
(((9)))(10) In addition to or in lieu of any other civil or criminal remedy provided by law, a person who has violated this section is subject to a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars for each violation. The attorney general, acting in the name of the state, may seek recovery of the penalty in a civil action in superior court.
(((10)))(11) The attorney general may seek an injunction in superior court to restrain a threatened or actual violation of this section and to compel compliance with this section.
((
(11)))
(12) Any violation of this section is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair and deceptive act or practice and an unfair method of competition in the conduct of trade or commerce in violation of RCW
19.86.020. Standing to bring an action to enforce RCW
19.86.020 for violation of this section lies solely with the attorney general. Remedies provided by chapter
19.86 RCW are cumulative and not exclusive.
(((12)))(13)(a) In any action brought under this section, the state is entitled to recover, in addition to other relief, the costs of investigation, expert witness fees, costs of the action, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(b) If a court determines that a person has violated this section, the court shall order any profits, gain, gross receipts, or other benefit from the violation to be disgorged and paid to the state treasurer for deposit in the general fund.
(((13)))(14) Unless otherwise expressly provided, the penalties or remedies, or both, under this section are in addition to any other penalties and remedies available under any other law of this state.
(((14)))(15) A licensee who violates this section is subject to license suspension or revocation by the board.
(((15)))(16) The board may adopt by rule additional requirements for mail or internet sales.
(((16)))(17) The board must not adopt rules prohibiting internet sales.
Part III
Tribal Compacting
Sec. 301. RCW
43.06.450 and 2001 c 235 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The legislature intends to further the government-to-government relationship between the state of Washington and Indians in the state of Washington by authorizing the governor to enter into contracts concerning the sale of cigarettes and vapor products. The legislature finds that these cigarette tax and vapor product tax contracts will provide a means to promote economic development, provide needed revenues for tribal governments and Indian persons, and enhance enforcement of the state's cigarette tax ((law))and vapor product tax, ultimately saving the state money and reducing conflict. In addition, it is the intent of the legislature that the negotiations and the ensuing contracts ((shall)) have no impact on the state's share of the proceeds under the master settlement agreement entered into on November 23, 1998, by the state. Chapter 235, Laws of 2001 ((does))and this act do not constitute a grant of taxing authority to any Indian tribe nor ((does it))do they provide precedent for the taxation of non-Indians on fee land.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 302. A new section is added to chapter
43.06 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The governor may enter into vapor product tax contracts concerning the sale of vapor products. All vapor product tax contracts must meet the requirements for vapor product tax contracts under this section.
(2) Vapor product tax contracts must be in regard to retail sales in which Indian retailers make delivery and physical transfer of possession of the vapor products from the seller to the buyer within Indian country, and are not in regard to transactions by non-Indian retailers. In addition, contracts may address the legal age of sale for vapor products pursuant to section 11, chapter 15, Laws of 2019.
(3) A vapor product tax contract with a tribe must provide for a tribal vapor product tax in lieu of all state vapor product taxes and state and local sales and use taxes on sales of vapor products in Indian country by Indian retailers. The tribe may allow an exemption for sales to tribal members.
(4) Vapor product tax contracts must provide that retailers must purchase vapor products only from:
(a) Wholesalers or manufacturers licensed to do business in the state of Washington;
(b) Out-of-state wholesalers or manufacturers who, although not licensed to do business in the state of Washington, agree to comply with the terms of the vapor product tax contract, are certified to the state as having so agreed, and do in fact so comply. However, the state may in its sole discretion exercise its administrative and enforcement powers over such wholesalers or manufacturers to the extent permitted by law;
(c) A tribal wholesaler that purchases only from a wholesaler or manufacturer described in (a), (b), or (d) of this subsection; and
(d) A tribal manufacturer.
(5) Vapor product tax contracts must be for renewable periods of no more than eight years.
(6) Vapor product tax contracts must include provisions for compliance, such as transport and notice requirements, inspection procedures, recordkeeping, and audit requirements.
(7) Tax revenue retained by a tribe must be used for essential government services. Use of tax revenue for subsidization of vapor products and food retailers is prohibited.
(8) The vapor product tax contract may include provisions to resolve disputes using a nonjudicial process, such as mediation.
(9) The governor may delegate the power to negotiate vapor product tax contracts to the department of revenue. The department of revenue must consult with the liquor and cannabis board during the negotiations.
(10) Information received by the state or open to state review under the terms of a contract is subject to the provisions of RCW
82.32.330.
(11) It is the intent of the legislature that the liquor and cannabis board and the department of revenue continue the division of duties and shared authority under chapter 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act) and therefore the liquor and cannabis board is responsible for enforcement activities that come under the terms of chapter 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act).
(12) Each vapor product tax contract must include a procedure for notifying the other party that a violation has occurred, a procedure for establishing whether a violation has in fact occurred, an opportunity to correct such violation, and a provision providing for termination of the contract should the violation fail to be resolved through this process, such termination subject to mediation should the terms of the contract so allow. A contract must provide for termination of the contract if resolution of a dispute does not occur within twenty-four months from the time notification of a violation has occurred. Intervening violations do not extend this time period. In addition, the contract must include provisions delineating the respective roles and responsibilities of the tribe, the department of revenue, and the liquor and cannabis board.
(13) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Essential government services" means services such as tribal administration, public facilities, fire, police, public health, education, job services, sewer, water, environmental and land use, transportation, utility services, and economic development.
(b) "Indian country" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
82.24.010.
(c) "Indian retailer" or "retailer" means:
(i) A retailer wholly owned and operated by an Indian tribe;
(ii) A business wholly owned and operated by a tribal member and licensed by the tribe; or
(iii) A business owned and operated by the Indian person or persons in whose name the land is held in trust.
(d) "Indian tribe" or "tribe" means a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the geographical boundaries of the state of Washington.
(e) "Vapor products" has the same meaning as provided in section 101 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 303. A new section is added to chapter
43.06 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The governor is authorized to enter into vapor product tax contracts with federally recognized Indian tribes located within the geographical boundaries of the state of Washington. Each contract adopted under this section must provide that the tribal vapor product tax rate be one hundred percent of the state vapor product tax and state and local sales and use taxes. The tribal vapor product tax is in lieu of the state vapor product tax and state and local sales and use taxes, as provided in section 302(3) of this act.
(2) A vapor product tax contract under this section is subject to section 302 of this act and is separate from a cigarette tax contract subject to RCW
43.06.455 or
43.06.466.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 304. A new section is added to chapter
43.06 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The governor may enter into a vapor product tax agreement with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians concerning the sale of vapor products, subject to the limitations in this section. The legislature intends to address the uniqueness of the Puyallup Indian reservation and its selling environment through pricing and compliance strategies, rather than through the imposition of equivalent taxes. The governor may delegate the authority to negotiate a vapor product tax agreement with the Puyallup Tribe to the department of revenue. The department of revenue must consult with the liquor and cannabis board during the negotiations. An agreement under this section is separate from an agreement under RCW
43.06.465.
(2) Any agreement must require the tribe to impose a tribal vapor product tax with a tax rate that is ninety percent of the state vapor product tax. This tribal tax is in lieu of the combined state and local sales and use taxes and the state vapor product tax, and as such these state taxes are not imposed during the term of the agreement on any transaction governed by the agreement. The tribal vapor product tax must increase or decrease at the time of any increase or decrease in the state vapor product tax so as to remain at a level that is ninety percent of the rate of the state vapor product tax.
(3) The agreement must include a provision requiring the tribe to transmit thirty percent of the tribal tax revenue on all vapor products sales to the state. The funds must be transmitted to the state treasurer on a quarterly basis for deposit by the state treasurer into the general fund. The remaining tribal tax revenue must be used for essential government services, as that term is defined in section 302 of this act.
(4) The agreement is limited to retail sales in which Indian retailers make delivery and physical transfer of possession of the vapor products from the seller to the buyer within Indian country, and are not in regard to transactions by non-Indian retailers. In addition, agreements may address the legal age of sale for vapor products pursuant to section 11, chapter 15, Laws of 2019.
(5)(a) The agreement must include a provision to price and sell the vapor products so that the retail selling price is not less than the price paid by the retailer for the vapor products.
(b) The tribal tax is in addition to the retail selling price.
(c) The agreement must include a provision to assure the price paid to the retailer includes the tribal tax.
(d) If the tribe is acting as a distributor to tribal retailers, the retail selling price must not be less than the price the tribe paid for such vapor products plus the tribal tax.
(6)(a) The agreement must include provisions regarding enforcement and compliance by the tribe in regard to enrolled tribal members who sell vapor products and must describe the individual and joint responsibilities of the tribe, the department of revenue, and the liquor and cannabis board.
(b) The agreement must include provisions for tax administration and compliance, such as transport and notice requirements, inspection procedures, recordkeeping, and audit requirements.
(c) The agreement must include provisions for sharing of information among the tribe, the department of revenue, and the liquor and cannabis board.
(7) The agreement must provide that retailers must purchase vapor products only from distributors or manufacturers licensed to do business in the state of Washington.
(8) The agreement must be for a renewable period of no more than eight years.
(9) The agreement must include provisions to resolve disputes using a nonjudicial process, such as mediation, and must include a dispute resolution protocol. The protocol must include a procedure for notifying the other party that a violation has occurred, a procedure for establishing whether a violation has in fact occurred, an opportunity to correct such violation, and a provision providing for termination of the agreement should the violation fail to be resolved through this process, such termination subject to mediation should the terms of the agreement so allow. An agreement must provide for termination of the agreement if resolution of a dispute does not occur within twenty-four months from the time notification of a violation has occurred. Intervening violations do not extend this time period.
(10) Information received by the state or open to state review under the terms of an agreement is subject to RCW
82.32.330.
(11) It is the intent of the legislature that the liquor and cannabis board and the department of revenue continue the division of duties and shared authority under chapter 82.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 408 of this act).
(12) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Indian country" has the same meaning as provided in RCW
82.24.010.
(b) "Indian retailer" or "retailer" means:
(i) A retailer wholly owned and operated by an Indian tribe; or
(ii) A business wholly owned and operated by an enrolled tribal member and licensed by the tribe.
(c) "Indian tribe" or "tribe" means the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, which is a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the geographical boundaries of the state of Washington.
(d) "Vapor products" has the same meaning as provided in section 101 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 305. A new section is added to chapter
82.08 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The tax levied by RCW
82.08.020 does not apply to sales of vapor products by an Indian retailer during the effective period of a vapor product tax contract subject to section 303 of this act or a vapor product tax agreement under section 304 of this act.
(2) The definitions in section 302 of this act apply to this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 306. A new section is added to chapter
82.12 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The provisions of this chapter do not apply in respect to the use of vapor products sold by an Indian retailer during the effective period of a vapor product tax contract subject to section 303 of this act or a vapor product tax agreement under section 304 of this act.
(2) The definitions in section 302 of this act apply to this section.
Sec. 307. 2019 c 15 s 11 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
In recognition of the sovereign authority of tribal governments, the governor may seek government-to-government consultations with federally recognized Indian tribes regarding raising the minimum legal age of sale in compacts entered into pursuant to RCW
43.06.455,
43.06.465, ((
and)) 43.06.466
, and sections 302 through 304 of this act. The office of the governor shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature regarding the status of such consultations no later than December 1, 2020.
Part IV
Miscellaneous Provisions
NEW SECTION. Sec. 401. A new section is added to chapter
82.32 RCW to read as follows:
(1) By October 15, 2020, and by each October 15th thereafter, the department must estimate any increase in state general fund revenue collections for the immediately preceding fiscal year resulting from the taxes imposed in chapter . . ., Laws of 2019 (this act). The department must promptly notify the state treasurer of these estimated amounts.
(2) Beginning November 1, 2020, and by each November 1st thereafter, the state treasurer must transfer from the general fund the estimated amount determined by the department under subsection (1) of this section for the immediately preceding fiscal year as follows:
(a) Fifty percent into the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund match transfer account created in RCW
43.348.080; and
(b) Fifty percent into the foundational public health services account created in section 103 of this act.
(3) The department may not make any adjustments to an estimate under subsection (1) of this section after the state treasurer makes the corresponding distribution under subsection (2) of this section based on the department's estimate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 402. RCW 43.348.900 (Expiration of chapter) and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 34 s 10 are each repealed. Sec. 403. RCW
43.348.080 and 2018 c 4 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund match transfer account is created in the custody of the ((
state treasurer as a nonappropriated account to be used solely and exclusively for the program created in RCW 43.348.040. The purpose of the account is to provide matching funds for the fund and administrative costs. Expenditures to fund or reimburse the program administrator are not subject to the requirements of subsection (4) of this section.(2) Revenues to the account must consist of deposits into the account, legislative appropriations, and any gifts, grants, or donations received by the department for this purpose.))
state treasury to be used solely and exclusively for the program created in RCW 43.348.040. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. The purpose of the account is to provide matching funds for the fund and administrative costs. Expenditures to fund or reimburse the program administrator are not subject to the requirements of subsection (4) of this section. (((3)))(2) The legislature must appropriate a state match, up to a maximum of ten million dollars annually, beginning July 1, 2016, and each July 1st following the end of the fiscal year from tax collections and penalties generated from enforcement of state taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products by the state liquor and cannabis board or other federal, state or local law or tax enforcement agency, as determined by the department of revenue. Tax collections include any cigarette tax, other tobacco product tax, and retail sales and use tax. Any amounts deposited into this account from the tax imposed under section 102 of this act in excess of the cap provided in this subsection must be deposited into the foundational public health services account created in section 103 of this act.
(((4) Expenditures, in the form of matching funds, from the account may be made only upon receipt of proof from the program administrator of nonstate or private contributions to the fund for the program. Expenditures, in the form of matching funds, may not exceed the total amount of nonstate or private contributions.
(5) Only the director of the department or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the Andy Hill cancer research endowment fund match transfer account. Such authorization must be made as soon as practicable following receipt of proof as required under subsection (4) of this section.
(6) The department must enter into an appropriate agreement with the program administrator to demonstrate exchange of consideration for the matching funds.))
(3) Revenues to the account must consist of deposits into the account, taxes imposed on vapor products under section 102 of this act, legislative appropriations, and any gifts, grants, or donations received by the department for this purpose.
(4) Each fiscal biennium, the legislature must appropriate to the department of commerce such amounts as estimated to be the balance of the account to provide state matching funds.
(5) Expenditures, in the form of matching funds, from the account may be made only upon receipt of proof from the program administrator of nonstate or private contributions to the fund for the program. Expenditures, in the form of matching funds, may not exceed the total amount of nonstate or private contributions.
(6) The department must enter into an appropriate agreement with the program administrator to demonstrate exchange of consideration for the matching funds.
Sec. 404. RCW
82.26.020 and 2010 1st sp.s. c 22 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) There is levied and collected a tax upon the sale, handling, or distribution of all tobacco products in this state at the following rate:
(a) For cigars except little cigars, ninety-five percent of the taxable sales price of cigars, not to exceed sixty-five cents per cigar;
(b) For all tobacco products except those covered under separate provisions of this subsection, ninety-five percent of the taxable sales price. The tax imposed on a product under this subsection must be reduced by fifty percent if that same product is issued a modified risk tobacco product order by the secretary of the United States department of health and human services pursuant to Title 21 U.S.C. Sec. 387k(g)(1), or by twenty-five percent if that same product is issued a modified risk tobacco product order by the secretary of the United States department of health and human services pursuant to Title 21 U.S.C. Sec. 387k(g)(2). The tax reduction applies during the period the modified risk tobacco product order is in effect;
(c) For moist snuff, as established in this subsection (1)(c) and computed on the net weight listed by the manufacturer:
(i) On each single unit consumer-sized can or package whose net weight is one and two-tenths ounces or less, a rate per single unit that is equal to the greater of 2.526 dollars or eighty-three and one-half percent of the cigarette tax under chapter
82.24 RCW multiplied by twenty; or
(ii) On each single unit consumer-sized can or package whose net weight is more than one and two-tenths ounces, a proportionate tax at the rate established in (c)(i) of this subsection (1) on each ounce or fractional part of an ounce; and
(d) For little cigars, an amount per cigar equal to the cigarette tax under chapter
82.24 RCW.
(2) Taxes under this section must be imposed at the time the distributor (a) brings, or causes to be brought, into this state from without the state tobacco products for sale, (b) makes, manufactures, fabricates, or stores tobacco products in this state for sale in this state, (c) ships or transports tobacco products to retailers in this state, to be sold by those retailers, or (d) handles for sale any tobacco products that are within this state but upon which tax has not been imposed.
(3) The moneys collected under this section must be deposited into the state general fund.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 405. The provisions of RCW 82.32.805 and 82.32.808 do not apply to this act. NEW SECTION. Sec. 406. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 407. If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. Rules adopted under this act must meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 408. Part I of this act constitutes a new chapter in Title 82 RCW. NEW SECTION. Sec. 409. This act takes effect October 1, 2019.
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