House Bill No. introduced by A. Regier seeks to strengthen the regulation of nicotine and vapor products in Montana. The bill prohibits the distribution and sale of vapor products containing nicotine unless they are listed 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 legislation also applies the existing tobacco tax to these vapor products and establishes penalties for retailers and manufacturers who sell unlisted products. New sections are introduced to define key terms, establish reporting requirements, and outline the directory maintenance process, including the requirement for nonresident manufacturers to appoint a local agent and submit a surety bond.

Additionally, the bill mandates compliance checks by state agencies, allowing for unannounced inspections of retailers and wholesalers, with follow-up inspections if violations are found. It requires wholesalers to submit quarterly sales information and allows for the sharing of compliance-related data among state agencies. The bill creates a dedicated state special revenue account for managing fees and penalties, with a portion allocated to the general fund. It also amends existing definitions and licensing requirements for vendors, specifies tax allocations for vapor products, and appropriates $300,000 from the general fund for the establishment of the directory. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to vapor products sold on or after March 1, 2026, with certain provisions terminating by 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