House Bill No. introduced by A. Regier seeks to revise the regulations surrounding nicotine and vapor products in Montana. The bill establishes a directory maintained by the Attorney General, which must include all vapor products containing nicotine before they can be distributed or sold. Manufacturers are required to certify compliance with federal marketing authorization and pay a fee for each product listed. The legislation also applies the existing tobacco tax to these vapor products and sets forth reporting requirements, rulemaking authority, and a statutory appropriation. Key provisions include penalties for violations, the appointment of an agent for nonresident manufacturers, and a surety bond requirement to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the bill mandates compliance checks conducted by the Attorney General and relevant departments, allowing for unannounced inspections of retailers and wholesalers. It creates a state special revenue account for managing fees and penalties, with a portion allocated to the general fund and nicotine prevention efforts. The bill also updates definitions related to tobacco and vapor products, requires sellers to file statements before shipping products into Montana, and establishes conditions for lawful sales. It appropriates $300,000 from the general fund for the directory's establishment and administration, with an effective date of July 1, 2025, and provisions for the act's application to vapor products sold after March 1, 2026.
Statutes affected: LC Text: 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1(1): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1(2): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1(3): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1(4): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1(5): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1(6): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_1: 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(1): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-119, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(2): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-119, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(3): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-119, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(4): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-119, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(5): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(6): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(7): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(8): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2(9): 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502
HB0525_2: 16-11-102, 16-11-118, 16-11-119, 16-11-120, 16-11-128, 16-11-132, 16-11-141, 16-11-159, 17-7-502