House Bill No. introduced by A. Regier seeks to revise the regulations surrounding nicotine and vapor products in Montana. The bill prohibits the distribution, sale, or attempt to sell vapor products containing nicotine unless they are included in a directory maintained by the Attorney General. Manufacturers must certify compliance with federal marketing authorization requirements and pay a fee for each product listed. The existing tobacco tax will now apply to vapor products containing nicotine, and penalties for violations include civil penalties for retailers and manufacturers who sell unlisted products. The bill also establishes a certification process for manufacturers, requiring detailed product information and sales data, and mandates that nonresident manufacturers appoint an agent for service of process in Montana.
Additionally, the bill creates a framework for compliance checks, allowing the Attorney General and relevant departments to conduct unannounced inspections of retailers and wholesalers. It establishes a dedicated state special revenue account for managing fees and penalties, with a portion of funds allocated to the general fund. The legislation amends existing definitions to include vapor products and outlines licensing requirements for vendors. It also appropriates $300,000 from the general fund to the Attorney General for the establishment of a compliance directory. The bill specifies that taxes on vapor products will be allocated differently than those on traditional tobacco products, with a focus on enhancing oversight and prioritizing public health. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to vapor products sold on or after March 1, 2026, with certain sections terminating on July 1, 2033.
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(10): 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(11): 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(12): 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(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