HB16-1370: Nicotine Product Retailers Registry

• Requires all retailers selling cigarettes, tobacco products, or nicotine products to register annually with the liquor enforcement division starting January 1, 2017, with fines of $500 for initial non-registration and $25 for failure to re-register.

• Increases appropriation to the division from the tobacco education programs fund from $350,000 to $500,000, with up to $150,000 authorized for administering the retailers registry.

• Increases civil penalties for selling these products to minors or selling individual cigarettes and small tobacco packages, with fines ranging from $250 for a second violation to $2,000-$15,000 for fifth or subsequent violations.

• Expands the 27% state tax revenue apportionment to local governments to cover tobacco product and nicotine product taxes in addition to cigarette taxes, and prohibits local governments from imposing their own fees, licenses, or taxes on these products to remain eligible for distributions.

• Modifies the tax credit provision for tobacco product distributors shipping products out-of-state to apply indefinitely rather than only through September 1, 2018.