ARTICLE 1. Use of Stamps and Impressions
( Article 1 added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 884.)
30161. Except for the use or consumption of cigarettes by other than a licensed
distributor, and as may be authorized under the provisions of Section
30165, the tax imposed by this part with respect to distributions of cigarettes
shall be paid by distributors through the use of stamps or meter impressions.
The board shall furnish stamps for sale and provide for the sale of meter
register settings for metering machines approved by the board.
History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2315, operative July 16, 1961.
Former Section 30161 was renumbered as Section 30151 by Stats. 1961, p.
2315, operative July 16, 1961, which added Chapter 3.5
30162. (a) Stamps and meter impressions shall be of the designs, specifications,
and denominations as may be prescribed by the board. Stamps and meter
impressions shall be generated by a technology capable of being read by
a scanning or similar device and shall be encrypted with, at a minimum,
the following information:
(1) The name and address of the distributor affixing the stamp or meter
impression.
(2) The date the stamp or meter impression was affixed.
(3) The denominated value of the stamp or meter impression.
(b) The board shall prescribe by regulation the method and manner in which
stamps or meter impressions are to be affixed to packages of cigarettes
and may provide for the cancellation of stamps or meter impressions.
(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2005.
History.—Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 881 (SB 1701), in effect January 1, 2003.
Note.—SEC. 6. of Stats. 2004. Ch. 822 (AB 3092), in effect September
27, 2004, states, It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Board
of Equalization is authorized to exercise its authority, as set forth
in subdivision (a) of Section 30162 of the Revenue and Taxation Code,
as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 881 of the Statutes of 2002, and as
set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 30162 of the Revenue and Taxation
Code, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 881 of the Statutes of 2002, with
regard to cigarette stamps and meter impressions in a manner that does
not affect commerce within this state
30163. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an appropriate stamp
shall be affixed to, or an appropriate meter impression shall be made
on each package of cigarettes prior to the distribution of the cigarettes.
(b) No stamp or meter impression may be affixed to, or made upon, any package
of cigarettes if any one of the following occurs:
(1) The package does not comply with all requirements of the Federal Cigarette
Labeling and Advertising Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1331 and following) for the
placement of labels, warnings, or any other information upon a package
of cigarettes that is to be sold within the United States.
(2) The package is labeled "For Export Only," "U.S. Tax
Exempt," "For Use Outside U.S.," or similar wording indicating
that the manufacturer did not intend that the product be sold in the United States.
(3) The package, or a package containing individually stamped packages,
has been altered by adding or deleting the wording, labels, or warnings
described in paragraph (1) or (2).
(4) The package was imported into the United States after January 1, 2000,
in violation of Section 5754 of Title 26 of the United States Code.
(5) (A) The package bears a cigarette brand name which is a registered
U.S. trademark of a participating manufacturer and the package was imported
by anyone other than the participating manufacturer of that cigarette brand.
(B) For purposes of this paragraph, "participating manufacturer"
has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of
Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code and in Section II(jj) of
the Master Settlement Agreement described in Article 3 (commencing with
Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and
Safety Code.
(c) Pursuant to its authority under Section 30148, the board shall revoke
the license issued to a distributor that is determined to be in violation
of this section.
(d) A violation of subdivision (b) shall constitute unfair competition
under Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code.
History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2315, operative July 16, 1961.
Stats. 1998, Ch. 292 (SB 2134), in effect August 13, 1998, substituted
"Except as otherwise provided in this section, an" for "An"
at the beginning of the section and added "No stamp or … of
this section." as the second sentence. Stats. 1999, Ch. 935 (SB 702),
in effect October 10, 1999, renumbered first sentence as subdivision (a),
renumbered portion of the second sentence up to "… any package
of cigarettes" as subdivision (b), renumbered the balance of the
second sentence as paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), renumbered the third
sentence as subdivision (c), added paragraph (2), (3) and (4) to subdivision
(b), and added subdivision (d). Stats. 2000, Ch. 18 (SB 1038), in effect
May 5, 2000, added paragraph (5) to subdivision (b)
30164. A metering machine may be used and a meter may be stored, transferred,
transported, repaired, opened, set or used only in accordance with rules
and regulations prescribed by the board. Meters, meter register settings,
or unaffixed stamps shall not be sold, exchanged or in any manner transferred
by a distributor to another person without prior written approval of the board.
History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2315, operative July 16, 1961
30165. The board by regulation may provide that the tax imposed by this part with respect to cigarettes shall be paid without the use of stamps or meter impressions in connection with a particular type of transaction.
(Added by Stats. 1961, Ch. 884.)
30165.1. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:
(1) "Board" means the State Board of Equalization.
(2) "Brand family" means all styles of cigarettes sold under
the same trademark and differentiated from one another by means of additional
modifiers, including, but not limited to, "menthol," "lights,"
"kings," and "100s" and includes any brand name, alone
or in conjunction with any other word, trademark, logo, symbol, motto,
selling message, recognizable pattern of colors, or any other indicia
of product identification identical or similar to, or identifiable with,
a previously known brand of cigarettes.
(3) "Cigarette" has the same meaning as in subdivision (d) of
Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code and includes tobacco products
defined as a cigarette under that subdivision.
(4) "Distributor" has the same meaning as in Section 30011.
(5) "MSA" means the Master Settlement Agreement, as defined in
subdivision (e) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.
(6) "Nonparticipating manufacturer" means any tobacco product
manufacturer that is not a participating manufacturer.
(7) "Participating manufacturer" has the same meaning as in subsection
II(jj) of the MSA. (8) "Qualified escrow fund" has the same
meaning as in subdivision (f) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.
(9) "Tobacco product manufacturer" has the same meaning as in
subdivision (i) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.
(10) "Units sold" has the same meaning as in subdivision (j)
of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) Every tobacco product manufacturer whose cigarettes are sold in this
state, whether directly or through a distributor, retailer, or similar
intermediary or intermediaries, shall execute and deliver on a form and
in the manner prescribed by the Attorney General a certification to the
Attorney General no later than the 30th day of April each year that, as
of the date of the certification, the tobacco product manufacturer is
either a participating manufacturer that has made all payments calculated
by the independent auditor to be due under the Master Settlement Agreement,
except to the extent the participating manufacturer is disputing any of
the payments, or is in full compliance with Article 3 (commencing with
Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and
Safety Code, including all installment payments required by that article
and this section, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. A
tobacco product manufacturer located outside of the United States shall
provide to the Attorney General and keep current, the names, and addresses,
including electronic mail addresses, of all importers that sell or will
be selling their cigarettes in this state and shall cause each importer
to provide to the Attorney General a copy of a valid importer permit issued
by the United States Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau,
and the importer license issued by the board. The importers who sell or
will be selling their cigarettes in this state shall obtain and maintain
a license as an importer in compliance with Division 8.6 (commencing with
Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code. Any person who makes
a certification pursuant to this subdivision that asserts the truth of
any material matter that he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by imprisonment of up to one year in the county jail, or a
fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both the imprisonment
and the fine.
(1) A participating manufacturer shall include in its certification a complete
list of its brand families. The participating manufacturer shall update
the list 30 days prior to any addition to or modification of its brand
families by executing and delivering a supplemental certification to the
Attorney General.
(2) A nonparticipating manufacturer shall include in its certification
a complete list of all of its brand families, in accordance with the following
requirements:
(A) Separately listing brand families of cigarettes and the number of units
sold for each brand family that were sold in the state during the preceding
calendar year.
(B) Separately listing all of its brand families that have been sold in
the state at any time during the current calendar year.
(C) Indicating by an asterisk any brand family sold in the state during
the preceding calendar year that is no longer being sold in the state
as of the date of the certification.
(D) Identifying by name and address any other manufacturer, including all
fabricators or makers of the brand families in the preceding or current
calendar year in a form, manner, and detail as required by the Attorney
General. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall update the list 30 days
prior to any change in a fabricator for any brand family or any addition
to or modification of its brand families by executing and delivering a
supplemental certification to the Attorney General. (3) In the case of
a nonparticipating manufacturer, the certification shall further certify
all of the following:
(A) That the nonparticipating manufacturer is registered to do business
in the state, or has appointed a resident agent for service of process
and provided notice thereof as required by subdivision (f).
(B) That the nonparticipating manufacturer has done all of the following:
(i) Established and continues to maintain a qualified escrow fund as that
term is defined in subdivision (f) of Section 104556 of the Health and
Safety Code and implementing regulations.
(ii) Executed a qualified escrow agreement that has been reviewed and approved
by the Attorney General and that governs the qualified escrow fund.
(iii) If the nonparticipating manufacturer is not the fabricator or maker
of the cigarettes, that the escrow agreement, certification, reports,
and any other forms required by Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555)
of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and
implementing regulations are signed by the company that fabricates or
makes the cigarettes and in the manner required by the Attorney General.
(C) That the nonparticipating manufacturer is in full compliance with both
of the following:
(i) Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of
Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, including paragraph (2) of
subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, this
section, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(ii) Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions
Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The nonparticipating
manufacturer shall also provide a copy of a valid, corresponding federal
permit issued by the United States Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau.
(D) That the manufacturer has provided all of the following:
(i) The name, address, and telephone number of the financial institution
where the nonparticipating manufacturer has established the qualified
escrow fund required pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555)
of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and
all regulations promulgated thereto.
(ii) The account number of the qualified escrow fund and subaccount number
for the State of California.
(iii) The amount the nonparticipating manufacturer placed in the fund for
cigarettes sold in the state during the preceding calendar year, the date
and amount of each deposit, and any confirming evidence or verification
as may be deemed necessary by the Attorney General.
(iv) The amounts and dates of any withdrawal or transfer of funds the nonparticipating
manufacturer made at any time from the fund or from any other qualified
escrow fund into which it ever made escrow payments pursuant to Article
3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division
103 of the Health and Safety Code and all regulations promulgated thereto.
(E) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer located outside the
United States, that the manufacturer has provided a declaration in a form
prescribed by the Attorney General from each of its importers into the
United States of any of its brand families to be sold in California, that
the importer accepts joint and several liability with the nonparticipating
manufacturer for all escrow deposits due in accordance with Article 3
(commencing with Section 104555), for all penalties assessed in accordance
with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3
of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and for payment of all
fees, costs, attorney's fees, penalties, and refunds imposed or required
under this section, including, but not limited to, all refunds resulting
from the removal of the manufacturer or any of its brand families from
the directory. The declaration shall appoint for the declarant a resident
agent for service of process in California in accordance with subdivision
(f) and affirm that it has caused every importer that will sell its tobacco
products in this state to obtain and maintain a license as an importer
pursuant to Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business
and Professions Code.
(4) (A) A tobacco product manufacturer may not include a brand family in
its certification unless either of the following is true:
(i) In the case of a participating manufacturer, the participating manufacturer
affirms that the brand family is to be deemed to be its cigarettes for
purposes of calculating its payments under the MSA for the relevant year,
in the volume and shares determined pursuant to the MSA.
(ii) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, the nonparticipating
manufacturer affirms that the brand family is to be deemed to be its cigarettes
for purposes of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter
1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, including paragraph
(2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code,
and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto and this section.
(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or otherwise
affecting the state's right to maintain that a brand family constitutes
cigarettes of a different tobacco product manufacturer for purposes of
calculating payments under the MSA or for purposes of Article 3 (commencing
with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health
and Safety Code and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(5) A tobacco product manufacturer shall maintain all invoices and documentation
of sales and other information relied upon for the certification for a
period of five years, unless otherwise required by law to maintain them
for a longer period of time.
(c) Not later than June 30, 2004, the Attorney General shall develop and
publish on its Internet Web site a directory listing all tobacco product
manufacturers that have provided current, timely, and accurate certifications
conforming to the requirements of subdivision (b) and all brand families
that are listed in the certifications, except as specified below.
(1) The Attorney General may not include or retain in the directory the
name or brand families of the following:
(A) Any participating manufacturer that fails to provide the required certification
or to make a payment calculated by the independent auditor to be due from
it under the Master Settlement Agreement except to the extent that it
is disputing the payment.
(B) Any nonparticipating manufacturer that fails to provide the required
certification or whose certification the Attorney General determines is
not in compliance with subdivision (b), unless the Attorney General has
determined that the violation has been cured to the satisfaction of the
Attorney General.
(C) A tobacco product manufacturer that does not hold a valid and current
manufacturer's license under Section 22979 of the Business and Professions
Code, including, but not limited to, a manufacturer whose license has
been revoked under subdivision (g) of Section 22979 of the Business and
Professions Code.
(2) Neither a tobacco product manufacturer nor brand family shall be included
or retained in the directory if the Attorney General concludes that any
of the following is true:
(A) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, any escrow deposit
required pursuant to Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code for
any period for any brand family, whether or not listed by the nonparticipating
manufacturer, has not been fully deposited into a qualified escrow fund
governed by a qualified escrow agreement that has been approved by the
Attorney General.
(B) Any outstanding final judgment, including interest thereon, for violations
of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of
Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, this section, Sections 30101.7
and 30165.2, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, has not
been fully satisfied for the brand family and the manufacturer.
(C) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer by reason of the business
plan, business history, trade connections, or compliance and payment history
in California or any other state of any of the principals thereof, the
nonparticipating manufacturer fails to provide reasonable assurance that
it will comply with the requirements of this section, Section 30165.2,
and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3
of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code. As used in this section,
"reasonable assurance" may include information and documentation
establishing to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that a failure
to pay in California or elsewhere was the result of a good faith dispute
over the payment obligation.
(D) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, the manufacturer has
knowingly failed to disclose any material information required or knowingly
made any material false statements in the certification of any supporting
information or documentation provided.
(E) If the manufacturer or its importer, as defined in Section 30019, engages
in delivery sales and the manufacturer fails to provide or fails to cause
his or her importer to provide reasonable assurances that the delivery
seller has fully complied with all requirements of applicable federal
and state law, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(i) The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (PACT Act; Public
Law 111-154).
(ii) The Jenkins Act (Chapter 10A (commencing with Section 375) of Title
15 of the United States Code).
(iii) The requirements of Section 30101.7.
(iv) All stamping, marking, and labeling requirements, including, but not
limited to, Section 30163, and any other information or indicia requirements
imposed by state or federal law.
(v) All other state laws generally applicable to the sale and distribution
of tobacco products.
(3) The Attorney General shall update the directory as necessary in order
to correct mistakes and to add or remove a tobacco product manufacturer
or brand family to keep the directory in conformity with the requirements
of this section, Section 30165.2, and Article 3 (commencing with Section
104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety
Code. The Attorney General shall promptly provide distributors and wholesalers
with written notice of each tobacco product manufacturer and brand family
that the Attorney General has added to, or excluded or removed from the list.
(A) When the Attorney General's office informs a manufacturer that it will
recommend to the Attorney General that the manufacturer or brand family
be delisted for cause, the office shall transmit by electronic mail, or
other practicable means, a copy of the notice of the pending administrative
action to the manufacturer, all licensed distributors and wholesalers,
and to any retailer or other person who has provided an electronic mail
address to the Attorney General for this purpose.
(B) A licensed distributor may purchase, stamp, or sell, and a licensed
wholesaler may purchase or sell, products affected by the notice of pending
administrative action for no more than 40 days following issuance of the
notice of pending administrative action. Prior to the sale of a product
affected by the notice of pending administrative action, and no later
than seven days after the notice of pending administrative action, a distributor
or wholesaler shall notify each of its existing customers of the pending
administrative action.
(C) Upon removal from the directory of a tobacco product manufacturer or
brand family, the Attorney General shall transmit by electronic mail,
or other practicable means, a notice of removal, to the manufacturer,
all licensed distributors and wholesalers, and to any retailer or other
person who has provided an electronic mail address to the Attorney General
for this purpose. No later than seven days after issuance of the notice
of removal, a distributor or wholesaler shall provide each of its existing
customers a copy of the notice of removal.
(D) Notwithstanding subdivision (e), a licensed retailer may possess, transport,
and sell the tax-stamped cigarettes of a manufacturer or brand family
affected by the notice of removal for no more than 60 days following the
effective date of the manufacturer or brand family's removal from the
directory.
(E) After 60 days following removal from the directory the cigarettes of
a manufacturer or brand family identified in the notice of removal are
contraband and are subject to seizure and destruction under subdivision
(e) of Section 30436 and subdivision (b) of Section 30449, and may not
be purchased or sold in California.
(F) In the event the Attorney General declines to remove a tobacco product
manufacturer or brand family from the directory following issuance of
the notice of pending administrative action described in subparagraph
(A), the Attorney General shall notify by electronic mail, or other practicable
means, the manufacturer, all licensed distributors and wholesalers, and
any retailer or other person who has provided an electronic mail address
to the Attorney General for this purpose, of the decision not to pursue
administrative action. No later than seven days after issuance of this
notice, a distributor or wholesaler shall provide each of its existing
customers a copy of this notice, and the purchase, stamping, and sales
restrictions imposed by subparagraph (B) shall have no further effect.
(G) Upon request of the Attorney General, the board shall provide the Attorney
General all electronic mail addresses for licensed distributors, wholesalers,
and retailers in its possession.
(4) Newly qualified and elevated-risk nonparticipating manufacturers shall
file with the Attorney General a surety bond in a form and manner directed
by the Attorney General.
(A) Notwithstanding any other law, if a newly qualified nonparticipating
manufacturer is to be listed in the directory or if the Attorney General
reasonably determines that any nonparticipating manufacturer who has filed
a certification pursuant to subdivision (b) poses an elevated risk for
noncompliance with this section, Section 30165.2, Part 13 (commencing
with Section 30001) of Division 2, or with Article 3 (commencing with
Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and
Safety Code, neither the nonparticipating manufacturer nor any of its
brand families shall be included in the directory unless and until the
nonparticipating manufacturer, or its United States importer that undertakes
joint and several liability for the manufacturer's performance in accordance
with subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), has posted
a bond in accordance with this section.
(B) The bonds shall be posted by a corporate surety located within the
United States in an amount equal to the greater of fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) or the amount of escrow the manufacturer in either its current
or predecessor form was required to deposit as a result of the largest
of its most recent five calendar year's sales in California. The bond
shall be written in favor of the State of California and shall be conditioned
on the performance by the nonparticipating manufacturer, or its United
States importer that undertakes joint and several liability for the manufacturer's
performance in accordance with subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3) of subdivision
(b), of all its duties and obligations under this section and Article
3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division
103 of the Health and Safety Code and payment of all state taxes for the
sale or distribution of cigarettes and tobacco products in this state
during the year in which the certification is filed and the next succeeding
calendar year. The bond may be drawn upon by the board or the Attorney
General to cover unsatisfied escrow obligations, tax obligations, claims
for penalties, claims for monetary damages, and any other liabilities
that are subject to the licensee's claim of sovereign immunity against
enforcement of the laws specified above.
(C) A nonparticipating manufacturer may be deemed to pose an elevated risk
for noncompliance with this section, Section 30165.2, or Article 3 (commencing
with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health
and Safety Code if:
(i) The nonparticipating manufacturer or any affiliate thereof has failed
to deposit fully the amount due on an escrow obligation with respect to
any state at any time during the calendar year or within the past three
calendar years unless either of the following occur:
(I) The manufacturer did not underdeposit knowingly or recklessly and the
manufacturer promptly cured the underdeposit within 180 days of notice of it.
(II) The underdeposit or lack of deposit is the subject of a good faith
dispute as documented to the satisfaction of the Attorney General and
the underdeposit is cured within 180 days of entry of a final order establishing
the amount of the required escrow deposit.
(ii) Any state has removed the manufacturer or its brands or brand families
or an affiliate or any of the affiliate's brands or brand families from
the state's tobacco directory for noncompliance with a state escrow deposit
or tobacco tax law at any time during the calendar year or within the
past three calendar years.
(iii) Any state has litigation pending against, or an unsatisfied final
judgment against, the manufacturer or any affiliate thereof for escrow
or for penalties, fees, costs, refunds, or attorney's fees related to
noncompliance with state escrow laws.
(iv) The nonparticipating manufacturer sells its cigarettes or tobacco
products directly to consumers via remote or other non-face-to-face means.
(v) A state or federal court determining that the nonparticipating manufacturer
has violated any tobacco tax or tobacco control law or engaged in unfair
business practice or unfair competition.
(vi) Any state has suspended or revoked its license to engage in any aspect
of tobacco business.
(vii) Any state or federal court has determined that it failed to comply
with state or federal law imposing marking, labeling, and stamping requirements
or requiring information to be affixed to, or contained in, the labels,
markings, or packaging.
(viii) The nonparticipating manufacturer fails to submit or complete any
required forms, documents, certification, or notices, in a timely manner
or, to the satisfaction of the Attorney General or the State Board of
Equalization.
(D) As used in this section, "newly qualified nonparticipating manufacturer"
means a nonparticipating manufacturer that has not previously been listed
in the California Tobacco Directory. These manufacturers may be required
to post a bond in accordance with this section for the first three years
of their listing, or longer if they have been determined to pose an elevated
risk for noncompliance.
(5) The Attorney General shall provide each tobacco product manufacturer
that has provided all certifications and other information required by
this section with a written acknowledgment of receipt within seven business
days after receiving the certifications and other materials. Each tobacco
product manufacturer shall provide to each distributor to whom it sells
or ships cigarettes, or any tobacco product defined as a cigarette under
this section, a copy of each acknowledgment of receipt provided to the
manufacturer by the Attorney General. Upon request, the Attorney General
shall provide any distributor with a copy of the most recent written acknowledgment
of receipt provided to the tobacco product manufacturer.
(d) (1) The Attorney General may exclude or remove from the list required
by subdivision (c) a tobacco product manufacturer or any of its brand
families, based on a determination that the manufacturer is not a participating
manufacturer that has provided the required certification and made all
payments calculated by the independent auditor to be due from it under
the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent that it is disputing
the payment, or in the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, has not
made all escrow payments required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a)
of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, in accordance with that
subdivision, or has not complied with this section, Section 30165.2, or
the tobacco product manufacturer has not complied with any state or federal
delivery sales laws applicable to sales and distribution of tobacco products
in this state. Before the exclusion or removal may take effect, the Attorney
General shall notify the manufacturer of this determination.
(2) Upon receiving notice from the Attorney General pursuant to paragraph
(1), the manufacturer may challenge the Attorney General's determination
as erroneous, and may seek relief from the determination, by filing a
petition for writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil
Procedure for that purpose in the Superior Court for the County of Sacramento,
or as otherwise provided by law. The filing of the petition shall operate
to stay the Attorney General's determination, if the participating manufacturer
has made all payments calculated by the independent auditor to be due
from it under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent that
it is disputing payment, or if a nonparticipating manufacturer has paid
into escrow the full amount of any deficiency in the escrow payments that
the Attorney General has determined the tobacco product manufacturer was
required to have made under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
104557 of the Health and Safety Code, including any installment payments
required under subdivision (h), pending final resolution of the action.
(e) (1) No person shall affix, or cause to be affixed, any tax stamp or
meter impression to a package of cigarettes pursuant to subdivision (a)
of Section 30163, or pay the tax levied pursuant to Sections 30123 and
30131.2 on a tobacco product defined as a cigarette under this section,
unless the brand family of the cigarettes or tobacco product, and the
tobacco product manufacturer that makes or sells the cigarettes or tobacco
product, are included on the list posted by the Attorney General pursuant
to subdivision (c).
(2) No person shall sell, offer, or possess for sale in this state, ship
or otherwise distribute into or within this state or import for personal
consumption in this state, cigarettes of a tobacco product manufacturer
or brand family not included in the directory.
(3) No person shall do either of the following:
(A) Sell or distribute cigarettes that the person knows or should know
are intended to be distributed in violation of paragraphs (1) and (2).
(B) Acquire, hold, own, possess, transport, import, or cause to be imported
cigarettes that the person knows or should know are intended to be distributed
in violation of paragraphs (1) and (2).
(f) (1) Any nonresident or foreign nonparticipating manufacturer that has
not registered to do business in the state as a foreign corporation or
business entity shall, as a condition precedent to having its brand families
listed or retained in the directory, appoint and continually engage without
interruption the services of an agent in this state to act as agent for
the service of process on whom all process, and any action or proceeding
against it concerning or arising out of the enforcement of this section,
Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division
103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant
thereto, may be served in any manner authorized by law. This service shall
constitute legal and valid service of process on the nonparticipating
manufacturer. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide the name,
address, telephone number, and proof of the appointment and availability
of the agent to the satisfaction of the Attorney General. Any nonparticipating
manufacturer located outside of the United States shall, as an additional
condition precedent to having its brand families listed or retained in
the directory, cause each of its importers into the United States of any
of its brand families to be sold in California to appoint and continually
engage without interruption the services of an agent in the state in accordance
with this section. All obligations of a nonparticipating manufacturer
imposed by this section with respect to appointment of its agent shall
likewise apply to importers with respect to appointment of their agents.
(2) The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide notice to the Attorney
General 30 calendar days prior to termination of the authority of an agent
and shall further provide proof to the satisfaction of the Attorney General
of the appointment of a new agent no less than five calendar days prior
to the termination of an existing agent appointment. In the event an agent
terminates an agency appointment, the nonparticipating manufacturer shall
notify the Attorney General of said termination within five calendar days
and shall include proof to the satisfaction of the Attorney General of
the appointment of a new agent.
(3) Any nonparticipating manufacturer whose products are sold in this state
without appointing or designating an agent as herein required shall be
deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent, as provided
in Section 2105 of the Corporations Code, and may be proceeded against
in courts of this state by service of process upon the Secretary of State.
However, the appointment of the Secretary of State pursuant to this provision
as the agent for service of process does not satisfy the condition precedent
specified in paragraph (1) to having its brand families listed or retained
in the directory.
(4) For each nonparticipating manufacturer located outside the United States,
each importer into the United States of any nonparticipating manufacturer's
brand families that are sold in California shall bear joint and several
liability with the nonparticipating manufacturer for deposit of all escrow
due under Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, payment of all
costs and attorney's fees imposed in accordance with Section 104557 of
the Health and Safety Code, and payment of all fees, costs, attorney's
fees, penalties, and refunds imposed or required by this section or Section
30165.2. Each manufacturer and importer, that sells or intends to sell
cigarettes in California, shall obtain and maintain a license as a manufacturer
or importer in compliance with Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970)
of the Business and Professions Code. Each nonparticipating manufacturer
and its importers shall report in the manner, including electronically,
as required by the Attorney General, all cigarettes and tobacco products
sold in this state each month, including, but not limited to, the quantity,
including tobacco weight and number of cigarette sticks, the wholesale
cost and sale price of each brand family. Any manufacturer or importer
that fails to file the report as required by the Attorney General shall
be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of
either of the following:
(A) Five times the retail value of the cigarettes, loose tobacco and smokeless
tobacco, or tobacco products defined as cigarettes under this section
that were not reported as required by the Attorney General.
(B) Five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(g) (1) Not later than 25 days after the end of each calendar quarter,
and more frequently if so directed by the board or the Attorney General,
each distributor shall submit any information as the board or Attorney
General requires to facilitate compliance with this section, including,
but not limited to, a list by brand family of the total number of cigarettes
or, in the case of roll your own, the total ounces for which the distributor
affixed stamps during the previous calendar month or otherwise paid the
tax due. The distributor shall maintain, and shall make available to the
board and the Attorney General, all invoices and documentation of sales
of all nonparticipating manufacturer cigarettes and any other information
relied upon in reporting to the board and the Attorney General for a period
of five years.
(2) Notwithstanding Section 30455, the board is authorized to disclose
to the Attorney General any information received under this part for purposes
of determining compliance with and enforcing the provisions of this section,
Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2, and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555)
of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code,
and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The board and Attorney
General shall share with each other the information received under this
section, and may share that information with other federal, state, or
local agencies, only for purposes of enforcement of this section, Article
3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division
103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant
thereto, or corresponding laws of other states.
(3) At any time, the Attorney General may require from the nonparticipating
manufacturer proof from the financial institution in which the manufacturer
has established a qualified escrow fund for the purpose of compliance
with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3
of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated
pursuant thereto, of the amount of money in the fund being held on behalf
of the state and the dates of deposits, and listing the amounts of all
withdrawals from the fund and the dates thereof.
(4) In addition to the information required to be submitted pursuant to
this section or Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter
1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and any regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto, the Attorney General may require a retailer,
wholesaler, distributor, importer, or tobacco product manufacturer to
submit any additional information, including, but not limited to, samples
of the packaging or labeling of each brand family, as is necessary to
enable the Attorney General to determine whether a tobacco product manufacturer
or importer has complied, is in compliance, and, if applicable pursuant
to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), has provided
reasonable assurance that it will comply or continue to comply with this
section, Section 30165.2, Part 8 (commencing with Section 14950) of Division
12 of the Health and Safety Code, and Article 3 (commencing with Section
104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety
Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
(h) To promote compliance with this section, the Attorney General may promulgate
regulations requiring a tobacco product manufacturer subject to the requirements
of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 to make the escrow
deposits required in quarterly or other specified installments during
the year in which the sales covered by the deposits are made. The Attorney
General may require production of information sufficient to enable the
Attorney General to determine the adequacy of the amount of the installment deposit.
(i) (1) In addition to any other civil or criminal penalty provided by
law, upon a finding that a person has violated subdivision (e), or paragraph
(1) of subdivision (g), the board may take the following actions:
(A) In the case of the first offense, the board may revoke or suspend the
license or licenses issued to the person by the board, pursuant to the
procedures applicable to the revocation of a license set forth in Sections
30148 and 30158, and Section 22980.3 of the Business and Professions Code.
Each stamp affixed and each sale or offer to sell cigarettes in violation
of subdivision (e) shall constitute a separate violation.
(B) In the case of a second or any subsequent offense that the board determines
to be a violation of subdivision (e), in addition to the action authorized
under subparagraph (A), the board may impose a civil penalty in an amount
not to exceed the greater of either of the following:
(i) Five times the retail value of the cigarettes or tobacco products defined
as cigarettes under this section.
(ii) Five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(2) A distributor in any action for a violation of subdivision (e) shall
have a defense provided that either of the following is true:
(A) At the time of the violation, the cigarettes or tobacco products claimed
to be the subject of the alleged violation belonged to a brand family
that was included on the list required by subdivision (c).
(B) At the time of the violation, the distributor possessed a copy of the
Attorney General's most recent written acknowledgment of receipt of the
certifications and other information required as a condition of including
the brand family on the list required by subdivision (c).
(3) The defense described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) is not available
to a distributor if, at the time of the violation, the Attorney General
had provided the distributor with written notice that the brand family
had been excluded or removed from the list required by subdivision (c),
or the distributor failed to provide the Attorney General with a current
address for the receipt of written notice through electronic mail as required
by paragraph (4) of subdivision (c).
(4) A violation of paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) shall constitute a
misdemeanor.
(j) If a distributor affixes a stamp or meter impression to a package of
cigarettes under subdivision (a) of Section 30163, or pays the tax levied
under Sections 30123 and 30131.2 on a tobacco product defined as a cigarette
under this section, during the period between the date on which the brand
family of the cigarettes or tobacco product was excluded or removed from
the list required by subdivision (c) and the date on which the distributor
received notice of the exclusion or removal under paragraph (4) of subdivision
(c), then both of the following shall apply:
(1) The distributor shall be entitled to a credit for the tax paid by the
distributor with respect to the cigarette or tobacco product to which
the stamp or meter impression was affixed, or the tax paid during that
period. The distributor shall comply with regulations prescribed by the
board regarding refunds and credits that are adopted pursuant to Section
30177.5. If the distributor has sold the cigarette or tobacco product
to a wholesaler or retailer, and has received payment from the wholesaler
or retailer, the distributor shall provide the credit to the wholesaler
or retailer.
(2) The brand family may not be included on or restored to the list until
the tobacco product manufacturer has reimbursed the distributor for the
cost to the distributor of the cigarettes or tobacco product to which
the stamp or meter impression was affixed, or the tax paid, during that period.
(k) Any tobacco product manufacturer that falsely represents any of the
following to any person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each false
representation:
(1) Any information required under subdivision (b).
(2) That the tobacco product manufacturer is a participating manufacturer.
(3) That the tobacco product manufacturer or any other person has made
any or all escrow payments required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a)
of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, if applicable to the
manufacturer.
(4) That it has complied with subdivision (b), or with paragraph (1) of
subdivision (g), if applicable to the manufacturer.
(l) A violation of subdivision (e) shall constitute unfair competition
under Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code.
(m) No person shall be issued a distributor's license, pursuant to Section
30140, unless that person has certified in writing that the person will
comply fully with this section. Any person who makes a certification pursuant
to this subdivision that asserts the truth of any material matter that
he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment
of up to one year in the county jail, or a fine of not more than one thousand
dollars ($1,000), or both the imprisonment and the fine.
(n) For the year 2003, if the effective date of the act that added this
section is later than March 16, 2003, the first report of distributors
required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) shall be due 30 days after
that effective date, the certifications by a tobacco product manufacturer
described in subdivision (b) shall be due 45 days after that effective
date, and the directory described in subdivision (c) shall be published
or made available within 90 days after that effective date.
(o) The Attorney General may adopt rules and regulations to implement this
section. The rules and regulations may establish procedures for including
in the list described in subdivision (c) tobacco product manufacturers
that are not participating manufacturers and were not required to make
escrow payments under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557
of the Health and Safety Code, for sales made during any preceding calendar
year, and brand families of those manufacturers. The rules and regulations
may also establish procedures for seizure and destruction of cigarettes
forfeited to the state pursuant to Section 30436 or Section 30449, including,
but not limited to, the state facilities that may be used for the destruction
of contraband cigarettes. Nothing in this section shall affect the authority
of local law enforcement and local government officials to seize and destroy
contraband under existing state or local law. The regulations adopted
to effect the purposes of this section are emergency regulations in accordance
with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division
3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For purposes of that chapter, including
Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of the regulations
shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary
for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety,
and general welfare. Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1
of the Government Code, the regulations shall be repealed 180 days after
their effective date, unless the adopting authority or agency complies
with that chapter, as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of
the Government Code.
(p) In any action brought by the state to enforce this section, the state
shall be entitled to recover the costs of investigation, expert witness
fees, costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees.
(q) The Attorney General or his or her authorized representative shall
have the authority to:
(1) Conduct audits and investigations of the following:
(A) A nonparticipating manufacturer and its importers.
(B) Exclusive distributors, retailers, stamping agents, and wholesalers,
as defined in Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business
and Profession Code, and this part.
(C) Persons or entities engaged in delivery sales as defined in Section 30101.7.
(2) Upon reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this article or
of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of
Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, or of Section 22963 of the
Business and Professions Code, or of Section 30101.7, has occurred or
is reasonably likely to occur, issue subpoenas, compel the attendance
of witnesses, administer oaths, certify to official acts, take depositions
within and without the state, as now provided by law, and compel the production
of pertinent books, payrolls, accounts, papers, records, documents, and
testimony relevant to investigations. If a person refuses, without good
cause, to be examined or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or
to produce a document or other evidence when ordered to do so by the Attorney
General or his or her authorized representative, the Attorney General
or his or her authorized representative may apply to the superior court
of the county where the person is in attendance or located, upon affidavit,
for an order returnable in no less than two nor more than five days, directing
the person to show cause why he or she should not be examined, answer
a legal or pertinent question or produce a document, record or other evidence.
Upon the hearing, if the court determines that the person, without good
cause, has refused to be examined or to answer legal or pertinent questions,
or to produce a document, record, or other evidence, the court may order
compliance with the subpoena and assess all costs and reasonable attorney's
fees against the person. If the motion for an order is granted and the
person thereafter fails to comply with the order, the court may make orders
as are provided for by law. Subpoenas shall be served and witness fees
and mileage paid as allowed in civil cases in the courts of the State
of California.
(r) In any action regarding a violation of this article or of Article 3
(commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103
of the Health and Safety Code, or of Section 22963 of the Business and
Professions Code, or of Section 30101.7, or of Section 17200 of the Business
and Professions Code, reports submitted to the board pursuant to Section
30182 or Section 22978.1, 22978.4, or 22978.5 of the Business and Professions
Code, shall be admissible in evidence and shall be presumed to accurately
state the number of cigarettes stamped during the time period by the stamping
agent that submitted the report absent a contrary showing by the nonparticipating
manufacturer or importer. Nothing in this section shall be construed as
limiting or otherwise affecting the right of the state to maintain that
reports are incorrect or do not accurately reflect a nonparticipating
manufacturer's sales in the state during the time period in question,
and the presumption shall not apply in the event the state does so maintain.
(s) In any action regarding a violation of this article or of Article 3
(commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103
of the Health and Safety Code, or of Section 22963 of the Business and
Professions Code, or of Section 30101.7, or of Section 17200 of the Business
and Professions Code, sufficient notice of the action to the alleged violator
shall be given by complaint written in the English language. The state
shall not be required to bear any expense of translating complaint into
another language.
(t) Unless otherwise expressly provided, the remedies or penalties provided
by this section are cumulative to each other and to the remedies or penalties
available under all other laws of this state.
History.—Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 890 (AB 71), in effect January
1, 2004. Stats. 2010, Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January 1, 2011, added
"that has made all payments calculated by the independent auditor
to be due under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent
the participating manufacturer is disputing any of the payments"
after "either a participating manufacturer" in the first sentence,
added the second sentence that states, "A tobacco product manufacturer
located… Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business
and Professions Code", added "both of the following:" after
"full compliance with" in subparagraph (3)(C), designated the
balance of former subparagraph (3)(C) that states, "Article 3 (commencing
with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code… promulgated
pursuant thereto." as subparagraph (3)(C)(i), added subparagraph
(3)(C)(ii), added subparagraph (3)(E), to subdivision (b); deleted "of"
after "directory listing", substituted "the following:"
for "any" after "brand families of" in paragraph (1),
lettered balance of former paragraph (1) as subparagraph (1)(B), added
subparagraph (1)(A), added "Any" before "nonparticipating
manufacturer" in relettered subparagraph (1)(B), added subparagraph
(1)(C), substituted "any" for "either" after "concludes
that" in paragraph (2), added "Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2,"
after "this section," in subparagraph (2)(B), added subparagraphs
(2)(C) – (E), added ",Section 30165.2"..of the Health
and Safety Code" after "requirements of this section" in
the first sentence and "and wholesalers" after "provide
distributors" in the second sentence of paragraph (3), deleted former
paragraph (4), added subparagraphs (A) – (G) to paragraph (3), added
paragraph (4), including subparagraphs (A) – (D), to subdivision
(c); added "that has provided the required certification" after
"is not a participating manufacturer", added "made all
payments calculated…case of a nonparticipating manufacturer,"
after "required certification and" and added ", Section
30165.2, or the tobacco product manufacturer "products in this state"
after "complied with this section" in the first sentence of
paragraph (1), added "participating manufacturer has made all payments…,or
if a nonparticipating" after "Attorney General's determination,
if the" in paragraph (2), of subdivision (d); added "ship or
otherwise distribute into or within this state" after "in this
state in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e); added the fourth and fifth
sentences to paragraph (1) and added paragraph (4), including subparagraphs
(A) – (B), to subdivision (f); added a comma after "number
of cigarettes or" and deleted "for those cigarettes" after
"paid the tax due" in the first sentence of paragraph (1), added
",Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2," after "provisions of this
section" in the first sentence of paragraph (2), deleted "board
or the" after "promulgated pursuant thereto, the", added
"importer," after "wholesaler, distributor,", added
"or importer has complied," after "tobacco product manufacturer",
added ", and, if applicable pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph
(2) of subdivision (c), has provided reasonable assurance that it will
comply or continue to comply" after "is in compliance",
and substituted "Section 30165.2, Part 8 (commencing with Section
14950) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, and" after "with
this section," for "or" in paragraph (4), of subdivision
(g); substituted "person" for "distributor" after
"upon a finding that a" in paragraph (1), substituted "issued
to the person by the board," for "of the distributor" after
license or licenses, added "Sections 30148 and 30158, and" after
"license set forth in", substituted "30148" for "22980.3
of the Business and Professions Code." after 30158, and Section",
and added the last sentence to subparagraph (1)(A), added "that the
board determines to be a violation of subdivision (e)" after "subsequent
offense" in subparagraph (1)(B), in subdivision (i); added subdivisions
(q) – (s); and redesignated former subdivision (q) as subdivision (t).
Note.—SEC. 9. of Stats. 2010. Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January
1, 2011, states, The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Cigarette smoking and tobacco products present serious public health
concerns to the state and to the citizens of the state.
(b) Cheap cigarettes and tobacco products are being made available through
the evasion of state taxes, fees, payments, and deposits required for
sales of cigarettes and tobacco products in this state.
(c) Cheap cigarettes and tobacco products pose a public health hazard because
their lower price makes them more accessible and affordable to youth to
become addicted to smoking and tobacco products.
(d) It is the policy of the state to require that cigarettes and tobacco
products be sold at prices that reflect the payment of all state taxes,
fees, payments, and deposits required by law on sales of cigarettes and
tobacco products in this state in order to prevent the public health hazard
posed by cheap cigarettes and tobacco products, especially to our youth.
(e) The amendments made to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section
30165.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code by Section 7 of this act are
declaratory of, and do not constitute a change in, existing law.
Note.—SEC. 10. of Stats. 2010, Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January
1, 2011, states: "Nothing in this act preempts or supersedes any
local tobacco control law or ordinance other than those laws or ordinances
that are related to the collection of state taxes. Local licensing laws
or ordinances may provide for the suspension or revocation of licenses
issued by a local government or agency for a violation of the laws imposed
under the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Law (Part 13 (commencing
with Section 30001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code)."
30165.2. (a) For purposes of this section, "applicable returns" means
the following returns or reports relating to cigarettes that are filed
or required to be filed with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
of the United States Department of Treasury (TTB), the federal Department
of Homeland Security, and the United States Customs and Border Patrol
(CBP) after the effective date of the act adding this section:
(1) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Form 5000.24.
(2) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Form 5210.5.
(3) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Form 5220.6.
(4) United States Customs and Border Protection Form 7501.
(5) Any successor returns or reports intended to replace the forms specified
in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.
(b) As a condition of selling cigarettes in the state, every tobacco product
manufacturer, as defined in paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section
30165.1, whose cigarettes are to be sold in the state whether directly
or through a distributor, importer, retailer, or similar intermediary
or intermediaries shall, at the election of tobacco product manufacturer, either:
(1) Submit to the Attorney General a true and correct copy of each and
every applicable return of the tobacco product manufacturer.
(2) Submit to the United States Treasury a request or consent under Internal
Revenue Code Section 6103(c) authorizing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau to disclose the applicable returns of manufacturer to the
Attorney General.
(c) A foreign tobacco product manufacturer whose cigarettes are imported
into the United States by an importer or importers shall submit, or shall
cause each of its importers to submit, to the Attorney General and the
board both of the following:
(1) Each and every applicable return, form, or report filed with TTB and
CBP that includes any information about cigarettes of that foreign tobacco
product manufacturer imported into the United States.
(2) A report of the sales of each brand family in this state in the form
and manner specified by the Attorney General or the board.
(d) A foreign tobacco manufacturer shall also cause every importer who
will sell its cigarettes in this state to obtain and maintain a license
as an importer in compliance with Division 8.6 (commencing with Section
22970) of the Business and Professions Code.
(e) The Attorney General and the board shall not disclose any applicable
returns or any information contained therein, except as necessary to carry
out the functions and duties of the Department of Justice or board, or
as provided in subdivision (f).
(f) The Attorney General and the board may compile data on cigarette shipments
from the applicable returns and may share data with other states that
are signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement, as defined in paragraph
(5) of subdivision (a) of Section 30165.1, provided that states impose
or agree to provide protections against disclosure of the applicable returns,
or any information from applicable returns, that are equivalent to the
protections provided under subdivision (e).
(g) A tobacco product manufacturer who does not comply with the requirements
of subdivisions (b), (c), and (d) shall, after 30 days notice by the Attorney
General or the board to the tobacco product manufacturer of the failure
to comply, be removed, along with its brand families, from the tobacco
directory unless the tobacco product manufacturer has brought itself into
compliance by the end of the 30-day period.
(h) (1) Any tobacco manufacturer or importer that intentionally provides
any applicable return containing materially false information shall be
liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of either
of the following:
(A) Five times the retail value of the cigarettes or tobacco products defined
as cigarettes under this section and about which false information was provided.
(B) Five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(2) The provisions of each applicable return containing one or more false
statements shall constitute a separate offense.
(i) The Attorney General may promulgate regulations to implement and carry
out this section.
History.—Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January 1, 2011.
Note.—SEC. 9. of Stats. 2010. Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January
1, 2011, states, Nothing in this act preempts or supersedes any local
tobacco control law or ordinance other than those laws or ordinances that
are related to the collection of state taxes. Local licensing laws or
ordinances may provide for the suspension or revocation of licenses issued
by a local government or agency for a violation of the laws imposed under
the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Law (Part 13 (commencing with Section
30001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code)