|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the regulation of, and taxes imposed on the sale or use |
|
of, cigarettes, tobacco products, and e-cigarettes; imposing |
|
taxes; requiring a permit; imposing a fee; providing administrative |
|
penalties. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Sections 161.081(1-a), (2), and (4), Health and |
|
Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(1-a) "E-cigarette" means an electronic cigarette or |
|
any other device that simulates smoking by using a mechanical |
|
heating element, battery, or electronic circuit to deliver nicotine |
|
or other substances to the individual inhaling from the device or a |
|
consumable liquid solution or other material aerosolized or |
|
vaporized during the use of an electronic cigarette or other device |
|
described by this subdivision, regardless of whether the liquid or |
|
other material contains nicotine. The term does not include a |
|
prescription medical device unrelated to the cessation of smoking. |
|
The term includes: |
|
(A) a device described by this subdivision |
|
regardless of whether the device is manufactured, distributed, or |
|
sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, or e-pipe or under another product |
|
name or description; and |
|
(B) a component, part, or accessory for the |
|
device, regardless of whether the component, part, or accessory is |
|
sold separately from the device. |
|
(2) "Permit holder" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Section 154.001, [or] 155.001, or 164.0001, Tax Code, as |
|
applicable. |
|
(4) "Retailer" means a person who engages in the |
|
practice of selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or tobacco products |
|
to consumers and includes the owner of a coin-operated cigarette, |
|
e-cigarette, or tobacco product vending machine. The term includes |
|
a retailer as that term is defined by Section 154.001, [or] 155.001, |
|
or 164.0001, Tax Code, as applicable. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 161.083(d), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a violation |
|
of this section is not a violation of this subchapter for purposes |
|
of Section 161.0901 [154.1142 or 155.0592, Tax Code]. |
|
SECTION 3. Subchapter H, Chapter 161, Health and Safety |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 161.0901 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 161.0901. DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST CIGARETTE, |
|
E-CIGARETTE, AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS RETAILERS. (a) A retailer is |
|
subject to disciplinary action as provided by this section if an |
|
agent or employee of the retailer commits an offense under this |
|
subchapter or Subchapter K. |
|
(b) If the comptroller finds, after notice and an |
|
opportunity for a hearing as provided by Chapter 2001, Government |
|
Code, that a permit holder has violated this subchapter or |
|
Subchapter K at a place of business for which a permit is issued, |
|
the comptroller may suspend the permit for that place of business |
|
and administratively assess a fine as follows: |
|
(1) if the permit holder has not been found to have |
|
violated this subchapter or Subchapter K at that place of business |
|
during the 24-month period preceding the violation, the comptroller |
|
may require the permit holder to pay a fine in an amount not to |
|
exceed $1,000; |
|
(2) if the permit holder has been found to have |
|
violated this subchapter or Subchapter K at that place of business |
|
once during the 24-month period preceding the violation, the |
|
comptroller may require the permit holder to pay a fine in an amount |
|
not to exceed $2,000; and |
|
(3) if the permit holder has been found to have |
|
violated this subchapter or Subchapter K at that place of business |
|
at least twice during the 24-month period preceding the violation, |
|
the comptroller may: |
|
(A) require the permit holder to pay a fine in an |
|
amount not to exceed $3,000; and |
|
(B) suspend the permit for that place of business |
|
for not more than five days. |
|
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (e), if the permit |
|
holder has been found to have violated this subchapter or |
|
Subchapter K on four or more previous and separate occasions at the |
|
same place of business during the 24-month period preceding the |
|
violation, the comptroller shall revoke the permit issued under |
|
Chapter 154, 155, or 164, Tax Code, as applicable. If the permit |
|
holder does not hold a permit under Chapter 154, 155, or 164, Tax |
|
Code, the comptroller shall revoke the permit issued under Section |
|
151.201, Tax Code. |
|
(d) A permit holder whose permit has been revoked under this |
|
section may not apply for a permit for the same place of business |
|
before the expiration of six months after the effective date of the |
|
revocation. |
|
(e) For purposes of this section, the comptroller may |
|
suspend a permit but may not revoke the permit under Subsection (c) |
|
if the comptroller finds that: |
|
(1) the employer has not violated this subchapter or |
|
Subchapter K more than seven times at the place of business for |
|
which the permit is issued in the 48-month period preceding the |
|
violation in question; |
|
(2) the employer requires its employees to attend a |
|
comptroller-approved seller training program; |
|
(3) the employees have actually attended a |
|
comptroller-approved seller training program; and |
|
(4) the employer has not directly or indirectly |
|
encouraged the employees to violate the law. |
|
(f) The comptroller may adopt rules to implement this |
|
section. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 111.00455(b), Tax Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) The following are not contested cases under Subsection |
|
(a) and Section 2003.101, Government Code: |
|
(1) a show cause hearing or any hearing not related to |
|
the collection, receipt, administration, or enforcement of the |
|
amount of a tax or fee imposed, or the penalty or interest |
|
associated with that amount, except for a hearing under Section |
|
151.157(f), 151.1575(c), or 151.712(g) of this code or Section |
|
161.0901, Health and Safety Code [, 154.1142, or 155.0592]; |
|
(2) a property value study hearing under Subchapter M, |
|
Chapter 403, Government Code; |
|
(3) a hearing in which the issue relates to: |
|
(A) Chapters 72-75, Property Code; |
|
(B) forfeiture of a right to do business; |
|
(C) a certificate of authority; |
|
(D) articles of incorporation; |
|
(E) a penalty imposed under Section 151.703(d); |
|
(F) the refusal or failure to settle under |
|
Section 111.101; or |
|
(G) a request for or revocation of an exemption |
|
from taxation; and |
|
(4) any other hearing not related to the collection, |
|
receipt, administration, or enforcement of the amount of a tax or |
|
fee imposed, or the penalty or interest associated with that |
|
amount. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 154.1135(b), Tax Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(b) The payment must be made in cash or by money order, [or] |
|
check, or credit card. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 154.121(b), Tax Code, is amended to read |
|
as follows: |
|
(b) Revenue from the sale of retailer's permits shall be |
|
deposited to the general revenue fund and may be appropriated only |
|
as provided by this section. The money may be appropriated first to |
|
the comptroller for administering: |
|
(1) permitting [administration of licensing] of |
|
retailers under this chapter and Chapters [or Chapter] 155 and 164; |
|
and |
|
(2) disciplinary actions taken under Section |
|
161.0901, Health and Safety Code. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 155.050(b), Tax Code, is amended to read |
|
as follows: |
|
(b) The payment must be made in cash or by money order, [or] |
|
check, or credit card. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 155.058(b), Tax Code, is amended to read |
|
as follows: |
|
(b) Revenue from the sale of retailer's permits shall be |
|
deposited to the general revenue fund and may be appropriated only |
|
as provided by this section. The money may be appropriated first to |
|
the comptroller for administering: |
|
(1) permitting [administration of licensing] of |
|
retailers under this chapter and Chapters [or Chapter] 154 and 164; |
|
and |
|
(2) disciplinary actions taken under Section |
|
161.0901, Health and Safety Code. |
|
SECTION 9. Subtitle E, Title 2, Tax Code, is amended by |
|
adding Chapter 164 to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 164. TAX ON E-CIGARETTES |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
Sec. 164.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "E-cigarette" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
161.081, Health and Safety Code. |
|
(2) "Marketplace" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
151.0242. |
|
(3) "Permit holder" means a person who obtains a |
|
permit under Section 164.0102. |
|
(4) "Retailer" means a person who engages in the |
|
business of selling e-cigarettes to consumers, including a person |
|
who sells e-cigarettes to consumers through a marketplace. |
|
Sec. 164.0002. INAPPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN PRODUCTS. This |
|
chapter does not apply to a product described by Section 161.0815, |
|
Health and Safety Code. |
|
Sec. 164.0003. RULES. The comptroller may adopt rules to |
|
implement this chapter, including rules exempting a person who |
|
sells e-cigarettes to consumers through a marketplace from the |
|
requirements of this chapter. |
|
SUBCHAPTER B. IMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION OF E-CIGARETTE SALES |
|
AND USE TAXES |
|
Sec. 164.0051. E-CIGARETTE SALES TAX. (a) A tax is imposed |
|
on each sale of an e-cigarette in this state, including a sale made |
|
through a marketplace, except that the tax does not apply to a sale |
|
unless the tax imposed under Subchapter C, Chapter 151, applies to |
|
the sale. |
|
(b) The tax under this section is imposed at the rate |
|
determined under Section 164.0053. |
|
(c) The tax imposed under this section is in addition to the |
|
tax imposed under Subchapter C, Chapter 151. |
|
Sec. 164.0052. E-CIGARETTE USE TAX. (a) A tax is imposed |
|
on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of an |
|
e-cigarette purchased from a retailer for storage, use, or other |
|
consumption in this state, except that the tax does not apply to the |
|
storage, use, or other consumption unless the tax imposed under |
|
Subchapter D, Chapter 151, applies to the storage, use, or other |
|
consumption. |
|
(b) The tax under this section is imposed at the rate |
|
determined under Section 164.0053. |
|
(c) The tax imposed under this section is in addition to the |
|
tax imposed under Subchapter D, Chapter 151. |
|
Sec. 164.0053. TAX RATE. (a) In this section: |
|
(1) "Cigarette" means a roll for smoking described by |
|
Section 154.001(2) weighing three pounds or less per thousand. |
|
(2) "Federal excise tax rate on cigarettes" means the |
|
tax rate imposed on cigarettes under 26 U.S.C Section 5701(b)(1). |
|
(3) "First sale" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
154.001. |
|
(4) "State excise tax rate on cigarettes" means the |
|
tax rate imposed on cigarettes under Section 154.021(b)(1). |
|
(b) The rate of the taxes imposed under this chapter in a |
|
calendar year is the rate the comptroller computes and publishes in |
|
the Texas Register not later than December 1 of the preceding |
|
calendar year as required by Subsection (c). |
|
(c) As soon as practicable after the end of each state |
|
fiscal year but not later than December 1 of each year, the |
|
comptroller shall: |
|
(1) determine the tax rate to be imposed under this |
|
chapter in the subsequent calendar year that is proportionate to |
|
the state excise tax rate imposed on cigarettes in this state during |
|
the preceding state fiscal year by: |
|
(A) determining the estimated mean price of 1,000 |
|
cigarettes on first sale in this state during the preceding state |
|
fiscal year, including the amount of the federal excise tax imposed |
|
on cigarettes and excluding the amount of the state excise tax |
|
imposed on cigarettes, using available data and generally accepted |
|
statistical methods in making that determination as necessary; |
|
(B) dividing the state excise tax rate on |
|
cigarettes by the estimated mean price of 1,000 cigarettes on first |
|
sale in this state as determined under Paragraph (A); and |
|
(C) converting the amount computed under |
|
Paragraph (B) into a percentage and rounding that percentage down |
|
to the nearest quarter percentage point; and |
|
(2) publish the tax rate determined under Subdivision |
|
(1) in the Texas Register. |
|
Sec. 164.0054. APPLICATION OF OTHER PROVISIONS OF CODE. |
|
(a) Except as provided by this chapter: |
|
(1) the taxes imposed under this chapter are |
|
administered, imposed, collected, and enforced in the same manner |
|
as the taxes under Chapter 151 are administered, imposed, |
|
collected, and enforced; and |
|
(2) the provisions of Chapter 151 applicable to the |
|
sales tax imposed under Subchapter C, Chapter 151, and the use tax |
|
imposed under Subchapter D, Chapter 151, apply to the sales and use |
|
taxes imposed under this chapter. |
|
(b) A change in law relating to the taxation of the sale or |
|
use of an e-cigarette under Chapter 151 also applies to the sales or |
|
use tax imposed under this chapter. |
|
Sec. 164.0055. REPORTS. (a) A person required to file a |
|
report under Section 151.403 who is also required to collect or pay |
|
a tax under this chapter shall file with the comptroller a report |
|
stating: |
|
(1) for e-cigarette sales tax purposes, the amount of |
|
total receipts from e-cigarettes sold by the retailer during the |
|
reporting period, if the person is a retailer; |
|
(2) for e-cigarette use tax purposes, the amount of |
|
total receipts from e-cigarettes sold by the retailer during the |
|
reporting period for storage, use, or other consumption in this |
|
state, if the person is a retailer described by Section 151.403(b); |
|
(3) the amount of the total sales prices of |
|
e-cigarettes subject to the e-cigarette use tax that were acquired |
|
during the reporting period for storage, use, or other consumption |
|
in this state, if the person is a purchaser who did not pay the tax |
|
to a retailer; |
|
(4) the amount of the taxes due under this chapter for |
|
the reporting period; and |
|
(5) any other information the comptroller requires. |
|
(b) The report required by this section for a reporting |
|
period is due on the same date the tax payment for the period is due. |
|
Sec. 164.0056. RECORDS. (a) A person required to file a |
|
report under Section 151.403 who is also required to collect or pay |
|
a tax under this chapter shall keep a complete record of: |
|
(1) all gross receipts from each sale to which this |
|
chapter applies occurring during each reporting period, along with |
|
documentation relating to those receipts; |
|
(2) all purchases of e-cigarettes, including the |
|
constituent parts of e-cigarettes, from every source during each |
|
reporting period, along with documentation relating to those |
|
purchases; |
|
(3) all sales and use taxes, and any money represented |
|
to be sales or use tax, collected under this chapter during each |
|
reporting period; and |
|
(4) any other information the comptroller requires. |
|
(b) A person shall keep the records required by Subsection |
|
(a) for the period required by Section 151.025(b). |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. E-CIGARETTE RETAILER PERMITS |
|
Sec. 164.0101. PERMITS REQUIRED. (a) A person may not |
|
engage in business as a retailer in this state unless the person has |
|
been issued a permit from the comptroller. A person shall obtain a |
|
permit for each place of business the person owns or operates at |
|
which sales of e-cigarettes are made. |
|
(b) The comptroller shall prescribe the form and content of |
|
an application for a permit and provide the form on request. |
|
(c) The applicant shall accurately complete all information |
|
required by the application and provide the comptroller with |
|
additional information the comptroller considers necessary. |
|
(d) The comptroller may require each corporation, |
|
association, joint venture, syndicate, partnership, or |
|
proprietorship to provide: |
|
(1) financial information regarding the applicant; |
|
and |
|
(2) the identity of each officer, director, |
|
stockholder owning 10 percent or more of the outstanding stock, |
|
partner, member, owner, or managing employee. |
|
(e) Each applicant that applies for a permit to sell |
|
e-cigarettes from a vehicle must provide the make, model, vehicle |
|
identification number, registration number, and any other |
|
information concerning the vehicle the comptroller requires. |
|
(f) All financial information provided under this section |
|
is confidential and not subject to Chapter 552, Government Code. |
|
(g) Permits for engaging in business as an e-cigarette |
|
retailer are governed exclusively by the provisions of this code. |
|
Sec. 164.0102. ISSUANCE OF PERMIT. (a) The comptroller |
|
shall issue a permit to an applicant if the comptroller: |
|
(1) has received an application and fee, if required; |
|
(2) does not reject the application and deny the |
|
permit under Section 164.0103; and |
|
(3) determines that issuing the permit will not |
|
jeopardize the administration and enforcement of this chapter. |
|
(b) The permit shall be issued for a designated place of |
|
business, except as provided by Section 164.0106. |
|
(c) The permits are nonassignable. |
|
(d) The permit must indicate the type of permit that it is |
|
and authorize the sale of e-cigarettes in this state. The permit |
|
must show that it is revocable and shall be forfeited or suspended |
|
if the conditions of issuance, provisions of this chapter, or rules |
|
of the comptroller are violated. |
|
Sec. 164.0103. DENIAL OF PERMIT. The comptroller may |
|
reject an application and deny a permit if the comptroller finds, |
|
after notice and opportunity for hearing, any of the following: |
|
(1) the premises where business will be conducted are |
|
not adequate to protect the e-cigarettes; or |
|
(2) the applicant or managing employee, or if the |
|
applicant is a corporation, an officer, director, manager, or any |
|
stockholder who holds directly or through family or partner |
|
relationship 10 percent or more of the corporation's stock, or, if |
|
the applicant is a partnership, a partner or manager: |
|
(A) has failed to disclose any information |
|
required by Sections 164.0101(c), (d), and (e), including previous |
|
business experience, financial condition of the applicant, present |
|
or previous business affiliations, previous employment, and any |
|
conviction of a felony, or has made a false statement in the |
|
application; or |
|
(B) has previously violated provisions of this |
|
chapter. |
|
Sec. 164.0104. PERMIT YEAR; FEES. (a) A permit required |
|
by this chapter expires on the last day of May of each even-numbered |
|
year. |
|
(b) An application for a permit required by this chapter |
|
must be accompanied by a fee of: |
|
(1) one-half of the amount of the fee for a retailer's |
|
permit required by Section 154.111(b) if the applicant holds a |
|
valid retailer's permit under Section 154.101, 154.102, or 155.041; |
|
or |
|
(2) the amount of the fee for a retailer's permit |
|
required by Section 154.111(b). |
|
(c) For a new or renewal permit required by Section |
|
164.0101, the comptroller shall prorate the fee according to the |
|
number of months remaining during the calendar year that the permit |
|
is to be in effect. |
|
(d) A person who does not obtain a permit each year in a |
|
timely manner must pay a late fee of $50 in addition to the |
|
application fee for the permit. |
|
(e) If on the date of issuance a permit will expire within |
|
three months, the comptroller may collect the prorated permit fee |
|
or the fee for the current year and, with the consent of the permit |
|
holder, may collect the fee for the next permit year and issue a |
|
permit or permits for both periods, as applicable. |
|
(f) A person issued a permit for a place of business that |
|
permanently closes before the permit expiration date is not |
|
entitled to a refund of the permit fee. |
|
Sec. 164.0105. PAYMENT FOR PERMITS. (a) An applicant for a |
|
permit required by Section 164.0101 shall send the required fee |
|
with the application. |
|
(b) The payment must be made in cash or by money order, |
|
check, or credit card. |
|
(c) The comptroller may not issue a permit in exchange for a |
|
check until after the comptroller receives full payment on the |
|
check. |
|
Sec. 164.0106. DISPLAY OF PERMIT. (a) A permit holder |
|
shall keep the permit on public display at the place of business for |
|
which the permit was issued. |
|
(b) A permit holder who has a permit assigned to a vehicle |
|
shall post the permit in a conspicuous place on the vehicle. |
|
Sec. 164.0107. REVENUE. Revenue from the sale of |
|
retailer's permits shall be deposited to the general revenue fund |
|
and may be appropriated only as provided by this section. The money |
|
may be appropriated first to the comptroller for administering: |
|
(1) permitting of retailers under this chapter and |
|
Chapters 154 and 155; and |
|
(2) disciplinary actions taken under Section |
|
161.0901, Health and Safety Code. |
|
Sec. 164.0108. FINAL SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF PERMIT. |
|
(a) The comptroller may revoke or suspend a permit holder's permit |
|
if the comptroller finds, after notice and hearing as provided by |
|
this section, that the permit holder violated this chapter or a rule |
|
adopted under this chapter. |
|
(b) If the comptroller intends to suspend or revoke a |
|
permit, the comptroller shall provide the permit holder with |
|
written notice that includes a statement: |
|
(1) of the reason for the intended revocation or |
|
suspension; |
|
(2) that the permit holder is entitled to a hearing by |
|
the comptroller on the proposed suspension or revocation; and |
|
(3) of the date, time, and place of the hearing. |
|
(c) The comptroller shall deliver the written notice by |
|
personal service or by mail to the permit holder's mailing address |
|
as it appears in the comptroller's records. Service by mail is |
|
complete when the notice is deposited with the United States Postal |
|
Service. |
|
(d) The comptroller shall give the permit holder notice |
|
before the 10th day before the final hearing. |
|
(e) A permit holder may appeal the comptroller's decision to |
|
a district court in Travis County not later than the 30th day after |
|
the date the comptroller's decision becomes final. |
|
(f) A person whose permit is suspended or revoked may not |
|
sell, offer for sale, or distribute e-cigarettes from the place of |
|
business to which the permit applied until a new permit is granted |
|
or the suspension is removed. |
|
Sec. 164.0109. SUMMARY SUSPENSION OF PERMIT. (a) The |
|
comptroller may suspend a permit holder's permit without notice or |
|
a hearing for the permit holder's failure to comply with this |
|
chapter or a rule adopted under this chapter if the permit holder's |
|
continued operation constitutes an immediate and substantial |
|
threat to the collection of taxes imposed by this chapter and |
|
attributable to the permit holder's operation. |
|
(b) If the comptroller summarily suspends a permit holder's |
|
permit, proceedings for a preliminary hearing before the |
|
comptroller or the comptroller's representative must be initiated |
|
simultaneously with the summary suspension. The preliminary |
|
hearing shall be set for a date not later than the 10th day after the |
|
date of the summary suspension, unless the parties agree to a later |
|
date. |
|
(c) At the preliminary hearing, the permit holder must show |
|
cause why the permit should not remain suspended pending a final |
|
hearing on suspension or revocation. |
|
(d) Chapter 2001, Government Code, does not apply to a |
|
summary suspension under this section. |
|
(e) To initiate a proceeding to suspend summarily a permit |
|
holder's permit, the comptroller shall serve notice on the permit |
|
holder informing the permit holder of the right to a preliminary |
|
hearing before the comptroller or the comptroller's representative |
|
and of the time and place of the preliminary hearing. The notice |
|
must be personally served on the permit holder or an officer, |
|
employee, or agent of the permit holder or sent by certified or |
|
registered mail, return receipt requested, to the permit holder's |
|
mailing address as it appears in the comptroller's records. The |
|
notice must state the alleged violations that constitute the |
|
grounds for summary suspension. The suspension is effective at the |
|
time the notice is served. If notice is served in person, the |
|
permit holder shall immediately surrender the permit to the |
|
comptroller. If notice is served by mail, the permit holder shall |
|
immediately return the permit to the comptroller. |
|
(f) Section 164.0108, governing hearings for final |
|
suspension or revocation of a permit under this subchapter, governs |
|
a final administrative hearing. |
|
Sec. 164.0110. HEARINGS. Unless otherwise provided by this |
|
chapter, the comptroller shall conduct all hearings required by |
|
this subchapter in accordance with Chapter 2001, Government Code. |
|
The comptroller may designate one or more representatives to |
|
conduct the hearings and may prescribe the rules of procedure |
|
governing the hearings. |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS |
|
Sec. 164.0151. DEPOSIT AND USE OF PROCEEDS. The |
|
comptroller shall deposit the proceeds from taxes imposed under |
|
this chapter as follows: |
|
(1) 25 percent to the credit of an account in the |
|
general revenue fund that may be appropriated only to the |
|
Department of State Health Services for the purposes of tobacco and |
|
e-cigarette use prevention, control, and enforcement; and |
|
(2) the remainder to the credit of the general revenue |
|
fund. |
|
SECTION 10. The following provisions of the Tax Code are |
|
repealed: |
|
(1) Section 154.1142; |
|
(2) Section 154.1143; |
|
(3) Section 155.0592; and |
|
(4) Section 155.0593. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 161.0901, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
added by this Act, applies only to a violation that occurs on or |
|
after the effective date of this Act. A violation that occurs |
|
before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in |
|
effect on the date the violation occurred, and the former law is |
|
continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 12. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 164.0051 and |
|
164.0052, Tax Code, as added by this Act, the taxes imposed under |
|
those sections apply only to a sale, storage, use, or other |
|
consumption of e-cigarettes that occurs on or after January 1, |
|
2022. |
|
(b) The comptroller of public accounts shall determine and |
|
publish the initial tax rate for the taxes imposed under Sections |
|
164.0051 and 164.0052, Tax Code, as added by this Act, in the manner |
|
required by Section 164.0053, Tax Code, as added by this Act, not |
|
later than December 1, 2021. The initial tax rate applies beginning |
|
January 1, 2022. |
|
SECTION 13. (a) Notwithstanding Section 164.0101, Tax |
|
Code, as added by this Act, a person is not required to hold a permit |
|
under that section to engage in business as a retailer of |
|
e-cigarettes in this state until January 1, 2022. |
|
(b) The comptroller of public accounts shall prescribe the |
|
form and content of an application for a permit under Section |
|
164.0101, Tax Code, as added by this Act, and begin accepting |
|
applications for the permit not later than October 1, 2021. |
|
SECTION 14. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |