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HB0073 • 2020

Nicotine products-taxation.

AN ACT relating to taxation; imposing taxes on nicotine products as specified; providing for collection and distribution of the taxes imposed; requiring a license to sell nicotine products; requiring reporting of nicotine products sold; providing penalties; providing for state preemption of the taxation of nicotine products as specified; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Taxes
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Revenue
Last action
2020-03-10
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2020

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not provide specific details on penalties or how the collected taxes will be used.

Nicotine Products Taxation Act

The act imposes new taxes on nicotine products, requires sellers to get licenses and report sales, and prevents local governments from taxing these products.

What This Bill Does

  • Imposes a tax of fifteen percent (15%) on wholesalers who sell or import nicotine products like e-cigarettes and vapor material in Wyoming for resale.
  • If the wholesaler does not pay the tax, consumers using or storing these products will be taxed at seven and one-half percent (7.5%).
  • Requires anyone selling nicotine products to get a license from the state and report their sales monthly.
  • Prevents cities, towns, or counties in Wyoming from taxing nicotine products.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Wholesalers who sell or import nicotine products into Wyoming for resale.
  • Consumers using or storing nicotine products if the wholesaler's tax is unpaid.
  • Anyone selling nicotine products in Wyoming, including stores and online sellers.

Terms To Know

Nicotine product
Includes e-cigarettes, vapor material, and other items that contain or deliver nicotine to users.
Wholesaler
A person who sells or distributes nicotine products for resale in Wyoming.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the collected taxes will be used.
  • It is unclear what specific penalties apply to those who do not follow the new rules.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0073HW001

Committee of the Whole • Representative Sweeney

Corrected, Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds language that prevents cities, towns, and counties from taxing the sale of nicotine products while allowing them to regulate their public use.

  • Adds a new section (b) after line 15 on page 7 stating that the state will prevent local governments from imposing taxes on nicotine products but allows them to regulate public use.
  • The amendment text does not specify all details about how local regulations regarding public use of nicotine products would be implemented or enforced.
HB0073HS001

Standing Committee • House Revenue Committee

Divided

Plain English: The amendment modifies the bill by adding new language related to penalties for violations and adjusting tax rates and terminology.

  • Adds a new penalty clause (vii) on page 13, allowing for civil actions with fines up to $1,000 or five times the retail value of the nicotine product involved.
  • Changes 'fifteen percent' to 'seven and one-half percent' in the tax rate on page 8.
  • Inserts ', (vii)' after a specific section reference on page 2.
  • The exact impact of these changes on existing penalties or duties is not fully explained by the amendment text alone.
HB0073HS001.01

Standing Committee • House Revenue Committee

Corrected, Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds language to impose penalties for violations related to the sale and distribution of nicotine products.

  • Adds 'and distribution' after 'collection' in the bill text.
  • Inserts ', (vii)' after '(vi)' in a specific section reference.
  • Includes new penalty provisions allowing fines up to $1,000 or five times the retail value of the nicotine product involved.
  • The exact context and implications of these changes are not fully explained by the provided amendment text alone.
HB0073HS001.02

Standing Committee • House Revenue Committee

Corrected, Failed

Plain English: The amendment changes the tax rate on nicotine products from fifteen percent to seven and one-half percent.

  • Reduces the tax rate on nicotine products from 15% to 7.5%
HB0073S2001

2nd reading • Senator Ellis

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the definition of 'electronic cigarette' to include devices that can deliver vaporized nicotine or synthetic nicotine and specifies what is not considered an electronic cigarette.

  • Expands the definition of 'electronic cigarette' to cover any device capable of delivering aerosolized or vaporized nicotine, including its components and accessories.
  • Clarifies that a battery or charger sold separately from an electronic cigarette does not fall under this definition.
  • The amendment text includes some redundant language ('any' repeated) which might need clarification but is not specified in the provided material.
HB0073S2002

2nd reading • Senator Nethercott

Failed

Plain English: This amendment removes previous amendments and adds new language to specify how vendors must report and pay taxes on nicotine products.

  • Removes existing Senate standing committee, Ellis committee of the whole, and Case committee of the whole amendments from HB0073.
  • Adds a new section (39-16-107) that outlines requirements for vendors to report sales and pay taxes on nicotine products monthly or quarterly/annually if certain conditions are met.
  • The exact details of previous amendments removed by this amendment are not provided, so their specific content cannot be explained.
  • The full context and implications of the new reporting requirements for vendors are complex and may require additional explanation beyond what is given in the amendment text.
HB0073S3001

3rd reading • Senator Biteman

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment removes previous amendments and adds new requirements for vendors selling nicotine products, including filing monthly returns and reporting sales to the department.

  • Removes a Senate standing committee amendment (HB0073SS001/AE) entirely.
  • Removes a Case committee of the whole amendment (HB0073SW002/AE) entirely.
  • Adds new compliance and collection procedures for vendors selling nicotine products, including monthly filing requirements and reporting sales to the department.
  • The exact impact of removing previous amendments is not fully explained in the provided text.
HB0073SW001

Committee of the Whole • Senator Ellis

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes the definition of 'nicotine product' to include electronic cigarettes and vapor materials.

  • Removes a previous definition of nicotine products and replaces it with one that includes tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and vapor materials.
  • The exact impact on existing definitions or regulations for these items is not specified in the amendment text.
HB0073SW002

Committee of the Whole • Senator Case

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment changes how nicotine products are taxed by increasing the tax rate and adding new reporting requirements for sellers.

  • Increases the tax rate on nicotine products sold in the state.
  • Requires sellers of nicotine products to report sales information to the government.
  • The exact details of how much the tax rate increases are not specified and need further clarification.
HB0073SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Revenue Committee

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment adds a new section to impose an excise tax on closed-system vapor materials and modifies existing sections to include definitions for both closed-system and open-system vapor materials.

  • Adds a definition for 'closed-system vapor material' as any vapor material within a single-use, pre-filled, disposable cartridge intended for use with an electronic cigarette.
  • Adds a definition for 'open-system vapor material' as any vapor material other than closed-system vapor material that is in the final packaging intended for retail sale and consumer use.
  • Imposes an excise tax of five cents per milliliter on closed-system vapor materials purchased or imported into the state by wholesalers.
  • The amendment text does not specify how open-system vapor material will be taxed, if at all.

Bill History

  1. 2020-03-10 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 53

  2. 2020-03-10 Governor

    Governor Signed HEA No. 0032

  3. 2020-03-06 Senate

    S President Signed HEA No. 0032

  4. 2020-03-06 House

    H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0032

  5. 2020-03-05 LSO

    Assigned Number HEA No. 0032

  6. 2020-03-05 House

    H Concur:Passed 46-14-0-0-0

  7. 2020-03-04 House

    H Received for Concurrence

  8. 2020-03-04 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 18-11-1-0-0

  9. 2020-03-03 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  10. 2020-03-02 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  11. 2020-02-28 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  12. 2020-02-28 Senate

    S03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 4-1-0-0-0

  13. 2020-02-26 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S03 - Revenue

  14. 2020-02-25 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  15. 2020-02-24 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 41-16-3-0-0

  16. 2020-02-21 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  17. 2020-02-20 House

    H COW:Passed

  18. 2020-02-17 House

    H Placed on General File

  19. 2020-02-17 House

    H03 - Revenue:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 8-1-0-0-0

  20. 2020-02-10 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H03 - Revenue 44-15-1-0-0

  21. 2020-02-07 House

    H Received for Introduction

  22. 2020-01-28 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 20LSO-0095
Bill No.:

HB0073

Effective:

7/1/2020

LSO No.:

20LSO-0095

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0032

Chapter No.:

53

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Revenue Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Nicotine products-taxation.

Subject:

Imposition of excise tax upon electronic cigarettes and vapor material.

Summary/Major Elements:

Under current law, the State of Wyoming imposes an excise tax upon cigarettes and upon cigars, snuff and other tobacco products.

The bill extends state taxation of tobacco products to all nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes and vapor material.

The bill imposes upon wholesalers a fifteen percent (15%) excise tax on electronic cigarettes and vapor material purchased or imported into this state by wholesalers for resale.

If the excise tax imposed upon wholesalers is not paid, the bill imposes a seven and one-half percent (7.5%) excise tax upon the use or storage by consumers of electronic cigarettes and
vapor material in this state.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
20LSO-0095

ORIGINAL House

ENGROSSED
Bill No
.
HB0073

ENROLLED ACT NO. 32,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2020 Budget Session

AN ACT relating to taxation; imposing taxes on nicotine products as specified; providing for collection and distribution of the taxes imposed; requiring a license to sell nicotine products; requiring reporting of nicotine products sold; providing penalties; providing for state preemption of the taxation of nicotine products as specified; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 14
‑
3
‑
301(a)(v), 39
‑
15
‑
107(a)(i), 39
‑
16
‑
107(a)(i), 39
‑
18
‑
101(a)(iv), (v)(A), (B) and by creating new paragraphs (ix) through (xi), 39
‑
18
‑
102(b), 39
‑
18
‑
103(a) by creating new paragraphs (v) and (vi), (b) and (c) by creating new paragraphs (v) and (vi), 39
‑
18
‑
104 by creating a new subsections (g) and (h), 39
‑
18
‑
106(a), 39
‑
18
‑
107(a)(i), (ii), (c)(i)(intro), (D), 39
‑
18
‑
108(c)(ii)(A), (vi), (vii) and (ix) and 39
‑
18
‑
111(b) are amended to read:

14
‑
3
‑
301.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this article:

(v)

"Electronic cigarette" means
a product that employs any mechanical heating element, battery or electronic circuit, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to deliver doses of nicotine vapor by means of heating a liquid nicotine solution contained in a cartridge or other delivery system.
any device that can be used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized nicotine or synthetic nicotine to the person using the device and includes any component, part and accessory of the device and any vapor
material intended to be aerosolized or vaporized during the use of the device. "Electronic cigarette" includes, without limitation, any electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, electronic hooka, vapor pen and any similar product or device. "Electronic cigarette" does not include a battery or battery charger if sold separately from the electronic cigarette and does not include any product regulated as a drug or device by the United States food and drug administration under subchapter V of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

39
‑
15
‑
107.

Compliance; collection procedures.

(a)

Returns, reports and preservation of records. The following shall apply:

(i)

Each vendor shall on or before the last day of each month file a true return showing the preceding month's gross sales and remit all taxes to the department. The returns shall contain such information and be made in the manner as the department by regulation prescribes. The department may allow extensions for filing returns and paying the taxes by regulation, but no extension may be for more than ninety (90) days. If the total tax to be remitted by a vendor during any month is less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00), a quarterly or annual return as authorized by the department, and remittance in lieu of the monthly return may be made on or before the last day of the month following the end of the quarter or year for which the tax is collected. If the accounting methods regularly used by any vendor are such that reports of sales made during a calendar month would impose unnecessary hardships, the department after receiving a formal request filed by the vendor may accept reports at intervals as would be more convenient to the taxpayer. Any vendor shall report whether
the vendor sells
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products
, as defined by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
101(a)(xi),
in this state to the department in the form and manner required by the department. The department may reject any report required under this paragraph of any vendor who does not comply with the
tobacco
nicotine
sales reporting requirements. Every person purchasing goods or services taxable by this article who does not pay the tax owed to a vendor shall, on or before the last day of each month, file a return showing the gross purchases made during the preceding month and remit all taxes due to the department. The return shall contain such information and be made in the manner as the department shall prescribe by rule and regulation. The department, by rule and regulation, may allow an extension for filing a return and paying any tax due, but no extension shall be granted for more than ninety (90) days;

39
‑
16
‑
107.

Compliance; collection procedures.

(a)

Returns, reports and preservation of records. The following shall apply:

(i)

Every vendor shall collect the tax imposed by this article and is liable for the entire amount of taxes imposed. The taxes are due and payable on the last day of the month following the month in which they were collected or as required by the department and each vendor shall on or before the last day of each month file a return showing the total sales of tangible personal property subject to the tax imposed by this article sold during the preceding month and remit all taxes due to the department. The returns shall contain such information required by the department. Any vendor shall report whether the vendor sells
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine

products
, as defined by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
101(a)(xiii),
in this state to the department in the form and manner required by the department. The department may reject any report required under this paragraph of any vendor who does not comply with the
tobacco
nicotine
sales reporting requirements. If the total tax to be remitted by a vendor is less than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) a quarterly or annual return as authorized by the department, and remittance in lieu of the monthly return may be made on or before the last day of the month following the end of the quarter or year for which the tax is collected. Returns shall be signed by the vendor or his agent;

39
‑
18
‑
101.

Definitions.

(a)

As used in this article:

(iv)

"Wholesale purchase price" means the established price for which a manufacturer sells the
tobacco
nicotine
product to a wholesaler exclusive of any discount or other reduction;

(v)

"Wholesaler" means any person who:

(A)

Whether located within or without Wyoming, imports, sells or distributes
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products into this state for sale or resale;

(B)

Purchases
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products in this state for sale or resale;

(ix)

"Electronic cigarette" means any device that can be used to deliver aerosolized or vaporized
nicotine or synthetic nicotine to the person using the device and includes any component, part and accessory of the device and any vapor material intended to be aerosolized or vaporized during the use of the device. "Electronic cigarette" includes, without limitation, any electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe, electronic hooka, vapor pen and any similar product or device. "Electronic cigarette" does not include a battery or battery charger if sold separately from the electronic cigarette and does not include any product regulated as a drug or device by the United States food and drug administration under subchapter V of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act;

(x)

"Vapor material" means any liquid solution or other material containing nicotine or synthetic nicotine that is depleted as an electronic cigarette is used. "Vapor material" includes liquid solution or other material containing nicotine or synthetic nicotine that is sold with or inside an electronic cigarette;

(xi)

"Nicotine product" means tobacco products as defined by W.S. 14
‑
3
‑
301(a)(i), electronic cigarettes and vapor material.

39
‑
18
‑
102.

Administration; confidentiality.

(b)

The
tax
taxes
imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
103(a)(iii)
and (v)
shall be paid by the wholesaler. The wholesaler shall be entitled to retain four percent (4%) of any tax collected under W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
103(a)(iii)
and (v)
.

39
‑
18
‑
103.

Imposition.

(a)

Taxable event. The following event shall constitute a taxable event under this article:

(v)

In addition to the other taxes imposed by this subsection, there is levied and assessed upon electronic cigarettes and vapor material purchased or imported into this state by wholesalers for resale an excise tax at the rate imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
104(g);

(vi)

The tax imposed by paragraph (v) of this subsection shall also be imposed upon the use or storage by consumers of electronic cigarettes and vapor material in this state, and upon those consumers, at the rate imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
104(g). This tax shall not apply if the tax imposed by paragraph (v) of this subsection has been paid.

(b)

Basis of tax. The state preempts the field of imposing taxes on
cigarettes
nicotine products
and no city, town or county shall impose, levy or collect taxes upon the sale, occupation or privilege of selling
cigarettes
nicotine products
.
This subsection shall not be construed to prevent a city, town or county from regulating the public use of nicotine products.

(c)

Taxpayer. The following taxpayers are liable for the tax imposed by this article:

(v)

In addition to the other taxes imposed by this subsection, there is levied and assessed upon electronic cigarettes and vapor material purchased or imported into this state by wholesalers for resale an excise tax at the rate imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
104(g);

(vi)

The tax imposed by paragraph (v) of this subsection shall also be imposed upon the use or storage by
consumers of electronic cigarettes and vapor material in this state, and upon those consumers, at the rate imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
104(g). This tax shall not apply if the tax imposed by paragraph (v) of this subsection has been paid.

39
‑
18
‑
104.

Taxation rate.

(g)

In addition to the other taxes imposed by this section, there is levied and assessed upon electronic cigarettes and vapor material purchased or imported into this state by wholesalers for resale, an excise tax at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) of the wholesale purchase price at which the electronic cigarettes and vapor material are purchased by wholesalers from manufacturers.

(h)

The tax imposed by subsection (g) of this section shall also be imposed upon the use or storage by consumers of electronic cigarettes and vapor material in this state, and upon those consumers, at the rate of seven and one
‑
half percent (7.5%) of the retail price of the electronic cigarettes and vapor material. This tax shall not apply if the tax imposed by subsection (g) of this section has been paid.

39
‑
18
‑
106.

Licensing; permits.

(a)

Every wholesaler, cigarette importer and cigarette manufacturer who sells or offers to sell
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products in this state must have a license to do so issued by the department. No license or renewal of a license shall be granted under this section unless the wholesaler states in writing, under penalty for false swearing, that he shall comply fully with W.S. 9
‑
4
‑
1201 through 9
‑
4
‑
1209. The license fee is ten dollars ($10.00) per year or fraction
thereof and is valid through June 30 in each year. The license will be granted only to wholesalers who own or operate the place from which sales are made and additional licenses must be obtained for each separate location. The licenses are transferable pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the department.

39
‑
18
‑
107.

Compliance; collection procedures.

(a)

Returns and reports. The following shall apply:

(i)

Each wholesaler shall keep complete and accurate records of all
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products purchased and sold for three (3) years. The records shall be in the form prescribed by the department and will be available for inspection by the department at any reasonable time. The department may investigate and examine the stock of cigarettes upon any premises where they are stored or sold;

(ii)

On or before the tenth day of each calendar quarter, every consumer who, during the preceding calendar quarter, has acquired title to or possession of
cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products for use or storage in this state, upon which products the tax imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
103(a)(iii)
and (v)
has not been paid, shall file a return with the department showing the quantity of such products so acquired. The return shall be made upon a form furnished and prescribed by the department and shall contain such other information as the department may require. The return shall be accompanied by a remittance for the full unpaid tax liability shown by it.

(c)

Timelines. The following shall apply:

(i)

No later than the twentieth day of the month following the sale of cigarettes, or the month following the end of the calendar quarter for
cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products
other than cigarettes,
each wholesaler shall return to the department the following information on forms furnished by the department:

(D)

The amount paid by the wholesaler to the manufacturer for
cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products other than moist snuff. For sales of moist snuff, the return shall include the net weight as listed by the manufacturer. The department shall compile the information provided under this subparagraph with respect to moist snuff tobacco sales on an annual basis and shall report the information to the legislature every five (5) years beginning on July 1, 2014.

39
‑
18
‑
108.

Enforcement.

(c)

Penalties. The following shall apply:

(ii)

The following acts are misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months or both:

(A)

Selling or distributing
cigarettes, cigars, snuff or other tobacco
nicotine
products as a wholesaler without a license;

(vi)

Any person who purchases any
tobacco
nicotine
product for resale in this state from other than a licensed wholesaler is liable for the tax and any penalties and interest imposed under this paragraph as if he were a wholesaler under this act and shall pay an additional
penalty of twenty
‑
five percent (25%) of any tax due. Any wholesaler or other person who fails to file any return or to pay any tax within the time required or permitted by this subsection shall be subject to a penalty of five percent (5%) of the amount of the tax due, plus one percent (1%) of the tax for each month of delinquency or fraction thereof. The department may waive all or any part of this penalty for good cause shown;

(vii)

Any person who does any act prohibited by this article, or omits, neglects or refuses to comply with any duty imposed upon him by this article, or causes not to be done any of the things required by this article, or does any act prohibited by this article, may, in addition to any other penalty provided by this article, be liable for a penalty of not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or five (5) times the retail value of the
tobacco
nicotine
product at issue, whichever is lesser, to be recovered in a civil action;

(ix)

Any fixture, equipment or other personal property used by a
tobacco
nicotine
product wholesaler or retailer to commit any of the following acts shall be subject to forfeiture to the state, if the retail value of the cigarettes involved or any tax involved in the act exceeds five hundred dollars ($500.00):

39
‑
18
‑
111.

Distribution.

(b)

The revenue received from the
tax
taxes
imposed by W.S. 39
‑
18
‑
104(c)
,

and
(d)
, (g) and (h)
shall be deposited in the general fund.

Section 2
.

This act is effective July 1, 2020
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

1