The bill establishes a county excise tax in Blount County on the sale, delivery, use, or consumption of vaping devices, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products. Specifically, it levies a tax of three percent on the gross proceeds from retail sales of these products. The revenue generated from this tax is designated for funding school resource officers, drug task force officers, patrol cars, and other necessary equipment as approved by the county sheriff's department and the county commission. Additionally, the bill outlines definitions for "alternative nicotine product," "vaping device," and "vapor product," clarifying what items fall under the tax's jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the bill imposes civil penalties for violations related to the tax collection process, including failure to add the tax to sales prices or refunding the tax amount. Violators may face a minimum penalty of $250 for each offense, with collected fines directed to the General Fund of Blount County to support the School Resource Officer Program. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024. Notably, the bill includes the insertion of the term "Enrolled" and the date of Senate passage as May 9, 2024, while no deletions from current law are specified.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-2A-3
Enrolled: 20-2A-3