00 CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 538(W&M) 01 "An Act relating to taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products, to tax stamps on 02 cigarettes, to forfeiture of cigarettes and of property used in the manufacture, 03 transportation, facilitation of transportation, possession, offering for sale, or sale of 04 unstamped cigarettes, to accounting for and use of part of the proceeds of the additional 05 cigarette tax, and to licenses and licensees under the Cigarette Tax Act; and providing 06 for an effective date." 07 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 08  * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 09 to read: 10 INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature to provide aggregate funding to meet the 11 minimum amount of tobacco control programs recommended by the United States 12 Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 13 tobacco taxes and other revenue sources accounted for in the tobacco use education and 01 cessation fund established in AS 37.05.580. 02  * Sec. 2. AS 43.50.030(a) is amended to read: 03 (a) For each license issued to a manufacturer, and for each renewal, the fee is 04 $50 [$5]. 05  * Sec. 3. AS 43.50.030(c) is amended to read: 06 (c) For each license issued to a vending machine operator, and for each 07 renewal, the fee is $50 [$25]. 08  * Sec. 4. AS 43.50.030(d) is amended to read: 09 (d) For each license issued to a direct-buying retailer, and for each renewal, 10 the fee is $50 [$25].  11  * Sec. 5. AS 43.50.035 is repealed and reenacted to read: 12 Sec. 43.50.035. Wholesaler-distributor license. (a) A person outside of this 13 state who sells or distributes cigarettes into this state and is not required to be licensed 14 under AS 43.50.010 may apply for a wholesaler-distributor license. 15 (b) A person outside of this state who sells or distributes cigarettes into this 16 state, who is not required to be licensed under AS 43.50.010, and who wishes to 17 purchase stamps under this chapter is required to be licensed as a wholesaler- 18 distributor. 19 (c) The department shall adopt reasonable regulations necessary for the 20 collection of cigarette taxes on cigarette sales or distributions made by a wholesaler- 21 distributor licensee into this state and standards for 22 (1) application and issuance of the license; and 23 (2) refusal to issue the license. 24  * Sec. 6. AS 43.50.090(a) is amended to read: 25 (a) There is levied an excise tax of 38 mills on each cigarette imported or 26 acquired in the state. The tax shall be paid through the use of stamps as provided in 27 AS 43.50.500 - 43.50.700. A person who imports or acquires cigarettes in the  28 state upon which a stamp required by this chapter has not been affixed in  29 accordance with AS 43.50.500 - 43.50.700, who fails to apply to purchase stamps  30 as required by AS 43.50.540(a), and who fails to pay the tax through the use of  31 stamps is not relieved [THE FAILURE TO PAY THE TAX THROUGH THE USE 01 OF STAMPS DOES NOT RELIEVE A PERSON] of the obligation to pay taxes due 02 under this chapter. The person shall still pay the tax, and the tax is due on or before 03 the end of the month following the month in which cigarettes were manufactured, 04 imported, acquired, or sold in this state. Cigarettes upon which the excise is imposed 05 are not again subject to the excise when acquired by another person. 06  * Sec. 7. AS 43.50.090(d) is amended to read: 07 (d) The tax imposed under (a) of this section does not apply to the first 100 08 cigarettes imported by an individual for personal consumption during the calendar 09 month or the first 600 cigarettes personally transported into the state by an  10 individual for that individual's personal consumption during the calendar month. 11  * Sec. 8. AS 43.50.105(g) is amended to read: 12 (g) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a 13 (1) class A misdemeanor if the person unlawfully ships, causes to be 14 shipped, or transports at least one but fewer than 5,000 [1,000] cigarettes; 15 (2) class C felony if the person unlawfully ships, causes to be shipped, 16 or transports 5,000 [1,000] or more cigarettes. 17  * Sec. 9. AS 43.50.105 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 18 (i) A person who violates the provisions of this section is jointly and severally 19 liable for the taxes imposed by AS 43.50.090 and 43.50.190. To the fullest extent 20 permitted by the Constitution of the United States, a person who violates the 21 provisions of this section is required to collect the taxes and pay them to the 22 department. 23  * Sec. 10. AS 43.50.170(1) is amended to read: 24 (1) "buyer" means a person who imports or acquires cigarettes for the 25 person's own consumption from any source other than a manufacturer, distributor, 26 direct-buying retailer, [OR] retailer, or wholesaler-distributor; 27  * Sec. 11. AS 43.50.170(3) is amended to read: 28 (3) "direct-buying retailer" means a person who is engaged in the sale 29 of cigarettes at retail in this state, and who brings cigarettes or causes cigarettes to be 30 brought [CIGARETTES] into the state that are not purchased from a wholesaler- 31 distributor; 01  * Sec. 12. AS 43.50.170(4) is amended to read: 02 (4) "distributor" means a person who brings cigarettes that are not  03 purchased from a wholesaler-distributor, or has cigarettes that are not purchased  04 from a wholesaler-distributor brought into the state, and who sells or distributes at 05 least 75 percent [PER CENT] of the cigarettes to others for resale in the state; 06  * Sec. 13. AS 43.50.170(12) is amended to read: 07 (12) "wholesaler-distributor" means a person outside this state who 08 sells or distributes cigarettes into this state, [AND] who is not required to be licensed 09 under AS 43.50.010, and who is licensed under AS 43.50.035. 10  * Sec. 14. AS 43.50.190(a) is amended to read: 11 (a) There is levied an excise tax of 62 [12] mills on each cigarette imported or 12 acquired in this state. 13  * Sec. 15. AS 43.50.190(c) is amended to read: 14 (c) The tax imposed under (a) of this section does not apply to the first 100 15 cigarettes imported by an individual for personal consumption during the calendar 16 month or the first 600 cigarettes personally transported into the state by an  17 individual for that individual's personal consumption during the calendar month. 18  * Sec. 16. AS 43.50.190 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 19 (d) A portion of the annual proceeds of the tax levied under (a) of this section 20 equal to the total proceeds of the tax multiplied by the quotient of seven divided by 62 21 shall be deposited into the tobacco use education and cessation fund established in 22 AS 37.05.580. This deposit shall be in addition to any sums deposited into the fund 23 under AS 37.05.580(a). 24  * Sec. 17. AS 43.50.300 is amended to read: 25 Sec. 43.50.300. Excise tax levied. An excise tax is levied on tobacco 26 products in the state at the rate of 100 [75] percent of the wholesale price of the 27 tobacco products. The tax is levied when a person 28 (1) brings, or causes to be brought, a tobacco product into the state 29 from outside the state for sale; 30 (2) makes, manufactures, or fabricates a tobacco product in the state 31 for sale in the state; or 01 (3) ships or transports a tobacco product to a retailer in the state for 02 sale by the retailer. 03  * Sec. 18. AS 43.50.540(f) is amended to read: 04 (f) Title to the stamps passes immediately to the licensee at the time the 05 stamps are obtained in person or, if the stamps are shipped or transported, at the time 06 the stamps are placed in the United States mail or received by the common or private 07 carrier. The licensee bears all costs associated with shipping or transporting the 08 stamps. The department may replace stamps lost or damaged in transit if the  09 licensee provides proof acceptable to the department verifying that the loss or  10 damage occurred while the stamps were in the possession of the shipping  11 company and the shipping company substantiates the loss or damage. Damaged  12 stamps must be returned to the department before the department may replace  13 them [AND ALL RISKS OF POSSIBLE LOSS OR DAMAGE WHILE IN 14 TRANSIT]. 15  * Sec. 19. AS 43.50.550(b) is amended to read: 16 (b) A licensee who submits an application for the purchase of stamps on a 17 deferred-payment basis shall, as a condition of approval of the application, post a 18 bond acceptable to the department in an amount equal to 19 (1) 200 percent of the maximum dollar amount of allowed monthly 20 purchases under this section ; or  21 (2) 100 percent of the maximum dollar amount of allowed monthly  22 purchases under this section if the licensee  23 (A) holds a license issued under AS 43.50.010 for a physical  24 location in this state; and  25 (B) has been in full compliance with the provisions of this  26 title and regulations adopted under this title during the preceding 60  27 months [AS A CONDITION OF APPROVAL OF THE APPLICATION]. 28  * Sec. 20. AS 43.50.580(b) is amended to read: 29 (b) A licensee may possess unstamped cigarettes in this state if 30 (1) the licensee posts a surety bond in an amount satisfactory to the 31 department to ensure performance of its duties under this chapter; and 01 (2) unstamped cigarettes are necessary for the conduct of the licensee's 02 business in making sales or distributions 03 (A) to an instrumentality of the federal government or an 04 Indian tribal organization authorized by law to possess cigarettes not taxed 05 under this chapter; or  06 (B) to customers outside the state and the licensee provides  07 proof acceptable to the department that the licensee is properly licensed in  08 the jurisdictions outside the state where the sales or distributions are  09 made. 10  * Sec. 21. AS 43.50.590(a) is amended to read: 11 (a) The department shall adopt procedures for a refund or credit to a licensee 12 in the amount of the denominated value, less the discount given under AS 43.50.540, 13 for 14 (1) unused or damaged stamps; [OR] 15 (2) stamps affixed to cigarette packages that have become unfit for use 16 or sale, are destroyed, or are returned to the manufacturer for credit or replacement if 17 the licensee provides proof acceptable to the department that the cigarettes have not 18 been and will not be consumed in this state; or 19 (3) stamps affixed to cigarette packages that are sold or  20 distributed outside the state if the licensee provides proof acceptable to the  21 department that the cigarettes have not been and will not be consumed in this  22 state and the licensee is properly licensed in the jurisdictions outside the state  23 where the sales or distributions are made.  24  * Sec. 22. AS 43.50 is amended by adding a new section to read: 25 Sec. 43.50.625. Forfeiture of other property. (a) Upon a showing of 26 probable cause that a person has committed the crime of misconduct involving 27 unstamped cigarettes or stamps in the first degree under AS 43.50.640, the following 28 are subject to forfeiture: 29 (1) material and equipment used in the manufacture, sale, offering for 30 sale, or possession for sale of cigarettes in this state in violation of AS 43.50.500 - 31 43.50.640 or 43.50.660 - 43.50.700; 01 (2) aircraft, vehicles, or vessels used to transport or facilitate the 02 transportation of cigarettes manufactured, sold, offered for sale, or possessed for sale 03 in this state in violation of AS 43.50.500 - 43.50.640 or 43.50.660 - 43.50.700; 04 (3) money, securities, negotiable instruments, or other things of value 05 used in financial transactions derived from activity prohibited under AS 43.50.500 - 06 43.50.640 or 43.50.660 - 43.50.700. 07 (b) Property subject to forfeiture under this section may be actually or 08 constructively seized under an order issued by the superior court upon a showing of 09 probable cause that the property is subject to forfeiture under this section. 10 Constructive seizure is effected upon posting a signed notice of seizure on the item to 11 be forfeited, stating the violation and the date and place of seizure. Seizure without a 12 court order may be made if 13 (1) the seizure is incident to a valid arrest or search; 14 (2) the property subject to seizure is the subject of a prior judgment in 15 favor of the state; or 16 (3) there is probable cause to believe that the property is subject to 17 forfeiture under (a) of this section; property seized under this paragraph may be held 18 for not more than 48 hours unless an order of forfeiture is issued by the court before 19 the end of that time period. 20 (c) Within 30 days after a seizure under this section, the Department of Public 21 Safety shall make reasonable efforts to ascertain the identity and whereabouts of any 22 person holding an interest, or an assignee of a person holding an interest, in the 23 property seized, including a right to possession, or a lien, mortgage, or conditional 24 sales contract. The Department of Public Safety shall notify the person ascertained to 25 have an interest in the seized property of the impending forfeiture, and, before 26 forfeiture, the Department of Law shall publish, once a week for four consecutive 27 calendar weeks, a notice of the impending forfeiture in a newspaper of general 28 circulation in the judicial district in which the seizure was made, or if a newspaper is 29 not published in that judicial district, in a newspaper published in the state and 30 distributed in that judicial district. 31 (d) Property subject to forfeiture under (a) of this section may be forfeited 01 (1) upon conviction of a person for a violation of AS 43.50.640; or 02 (2) upon judgment by the superior court in a proceeding in rem that the 03 property was used in a manner subjecting it to forfeiture under (a) of this section. 04 (e) The owner of property subject to forfeiture under (a) of this section is 05 entitled to relief from the forfeiture in the nature of remission of the forfeiture if, in an 06 action under (d) of this section, the owner shows that the owner 07 (1) was not a party to the violation; 08 (2) did not have actual knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that 09 the property was used or was to be used in violation of the law; and 10 (3) did not have actual knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that 11 the person committing the violation had, within the last 10 years, 12 (A) a criminal record for violating this chapter; or 13 (B) committed other violations of this chapter. 14 (f) The court may allow the owner of property that is subject to forfeiture 15 under (a) of this section to redeem the property by paying an amount determined by 16 the court to be the fair market value of the property. 17 (g) A person other than the owner holding, or the assignee of, a lien, 18 mortgage, or conditional sales contract on, or the right to possession of property 19 subject to forfeiture under (a) of this section is entitled to relief from the forfeiture in 20 the nature of remission of the forfeiture if, in an action under (d) of this section, the 21 person shows that the person 22 (1) was not a party to the violation subjecting the property to 23 forfeiture; 24 (2) did not have actual knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that 25 the property was used or was to be used in violation of the law; and 26 (3) did not have actual knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that 27 the person committing the violation had, within the last 10 years, 28 (A) a criminal record for violating this chapter; or 29 (B) committed other violations of this chapter. 30 (h) It is not a defense in an in rem forfeiture proceeding brought under (d)(2) 31 of this section that a criminal proceeding is pending or has resulted in conviction or 01 acquittal of a person charged with violating AS 43.50.640. 02 (i) Property forfeited under this section shall be placed in the custody of the 03 commissioner of public safety for disposition according to an order entered by the 04 court. The court shall order destroyed any property forfeited under this section that is 05 harmful to the public and may order any property forfeited under this section that was 06 seized in a municipality to be transferred to the municipality in which the property was 07 seized or to another municipality affected by the crime for which the property was 08 forfeited. The state shall notify all municipalities affected by the crime of the 09 forfeiture proceeding. Other property shall be ordered sold and the proceeds used for 10 payment of expenses of the proceedings for forfeiture and sale, including expenses of 11 seizure, custody, and court costs. The remainder of the proceeds shall be deposited in 12 the general fund. 13 (j) The title to a vehicle or vessel forfeited to the state under this section may 14 be transferred by the state to a municipality or the local governing body of a village 15 for official use by the municipality or village, on condition that the vehicle or vessel 16 not be available for use by the defendant. 17  * Sec. 23. AS 43.50.640(a) is amended to read: 18 (a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving unstamped cigarettes 19 or stamps in the first degree if the person 20 (1) with reckless disregard that the cigarettes are unstamped 21 (A) sells or distributes 5,000 [1,000] or more unstamped 22 cigarettes in a single transaction; 23 (B) owns or possesses 5,000 [1,000] or more unstamped 24 cigarettes with the intent to sell; or 25 (C) acquires, holds, transports, imports, or possesses 10,000 or 26 more unstamped cigarettes; or 27 (2) with reckless disregard that the stamp was previously affixed to 28 another cigarette package [;] 29 (A) affixes a previously used stamp to a cigarette package; or 30 (B) possesses, sells, or distributes a previously used stamp. 31  * Sec. 24. AS 43.50.650(a) is amended to read: 01 (a) A person commits the crime of misconduct involving unstamped cigarettes 02 or stamps in the second degree if the person 03 (1) with reckless disregard that the cigarettes are unstamped 04 (A) sells or distributes at least one but fewer than 5,000 [1,000] 05 unstamped cigarettes in a single transaction; 06 (B) owns or possesses at least one but fewer than 5,000 [1,000] 07 unstamped cigarettes, with intent to sell; [OR] 08 (C) acquires, holds, transports, imports, or possesses at least 09 601 [ONE] but fewer than 10,000 unstamped cigarettes; or 10 (D) acquires, holds, transports, imports, or possesses at  11 least one but fewer than 601 unstamped cigarettes that are not for  12 personal consumption; or  13 (2) is not licensed under this chapter or otherwise authorized by the 14 department to possess stamps and possesses a stamp that is not affixed to a cigarette 15 package. 16  * Sec. 25. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to 17 read: 18 TRANSITION: FLOOR STOCK TAX FOR CERTAIN CIGARETTES IN THE 19 STATE ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT. (a) Notwithstanding any other 20 provision to the contrary, a floor stock tax is imposed at 12:01 a.m. on the effective date of 21 this Act upon every person in control or possession of cigarettes for sale or distribution in the 22 state that were taxed at the rate in effect before the effective date of this Act. The floor stock 23 tax is the difference between the tax computed on each cigarette as provided in AS 43.50.190, 24 as amended by sec. 14 of this Act, on the effective date of this Act and the tax actually paid 25 on each cigarette as required by AS 43.50.190 as it read on the day before the effective date of 26 this Act. The person subject to the floor stock tax under this section must provide proof that 27 the tax required by AS 43.50.190, as it read on the day before the effective date of this Act, on 28 each cigarette was previously paid or the tax actually paid on each cigarette is considered to 29 be zero. 30 (b) A person subject to the floor stock tax under this section shall file a report not 31 later than the last day of the month in which this Act takes effect on a form prescribed by the 01 Department of Revenue and pay the tax to the Department of Revenue in six sequential 02 monthly installments. The first installment shall be paid not later than the last day of the 03 month in which this Act takes effect. The penalty, interest, and taxpayer remedy provisions 04 of AS 43.05 apply to the floor stock tax under this section. 05  * Sec. 26. This Act takes effect July 1, 2004.