LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 23, 2001 TO: Honorable David Sibley, Chair, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1281 by Zaffirini (Relating to the notice regarding sales of cigarettes and tobacco products given by a retailer to its customers and employees; providing a penalty.), As Introduced ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would amend Chapter 161 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to the sales of cigarette and tobacco products. Under current law, sellers of cigarettes or tobacco products who intentionally fail to display a warning sign, stating that purchasing these products by minors and selling these products to minors is illegal, commits a Class C misdemeanor. This bill would make this failure an offense, whether the failure was intentional or not. The bill would require retailers selling cigarettes and tobacco products to notify their employees about state laws concerning the purchase and sale of those products. Under current law, sellers are required to secure signed forms from employees indicating their notification by the employer of the law regarding minors and tobacco products; and they have 72 hours to show the Comptroller, or an agent of the Comptroller, these signed forms when demanded. This bill would extend the period to seven days. The bill would take effect September 1, 2001. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK, JO, SD