Session of 2025 HOUSE BILL No. 2094 By Committee on Federal and State Affairs Requested by Kevin Barone on behalf of The Capitol Lobby Group 1-27 AN ACT concerning tobacco products; authorizing the sale of electronic cigarettes in cigarette vending machines; amending K.S.A. 79-3301, 79-3303 and 79-3399 and K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-3321 and repealing the existing sections. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. K.S.A. 79-3301 is hereby amended to read as follows: 79- 3301. As used in K.S.A. 79-3301 et seq., and amendments thereto: (a) "Act" means the Kansas cigarette and tobacco products act. (b) "Carrier" means one who transports cigarettes from a manufacturer to a wholesale dealer or from one wholesale dealer to another. (c) "Carton" means the container used by the manufacturer of cigarettes in which no more than 10 packages of cigarettes are placed prior to shipment from such manufacturer. (d) "Cigarette" means any roll for smoking, made wholly or in part of tobacco, irrespective of size or shape, and irrespective of tobacco being flavored, adulterated or mixed with any other ingredient if the wrapper is in greater part made of any material except tobacco. (e) "Conspicuous location or place" means a location or place available to the general public. (f) "Consumer" means the person purchasing or receiving cigarettes or tobacco products for final use. (g) "Contracting entity" means any public or private person, firm or entity that has entered into a contract with the secretary of revenue to provide services. (h) "Dealer" means any person who engages in the sale or manufacture of cigarettes, tobacco products or electronic cigarettes in the state of Kansas, and who is required to be licensed under the provisions of this act. (i) "Dealer establishment" means any location or premises, other than vending machine locations, at or from which cigarettes, tobacco products or electronic cigarettes are sold, and where records are kept. (j) "Director" means the director of taxation. (k) "Distributor" means: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 HB 2094 2 (1) Any person engaged in the business of selling tobacco products in this state who brings, or causes to be brought, into this state from outside the state any tobacco products for sale; (2) any person who makes, manufactures, fabricates or stores tobacco products in this state for sale in this state; or (3) any person engaged in the business of selling tobacco products outside this state who ships or transports tobacco products to any person in the business of selling tobacco products in this state. (l) "Division" means the division of taxation. (m) "Electronic cigarette" means a battery-powered device, whether or not such device is shaped like a cigarette, that can provide inhaled doses of nicotine by delivering a vaporized solution by means of cartridges or other chemical delivery systems. (n) "Importer" means the same as provided defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5702(k). (o) "License" means the privilege of a licensee to sell cigarettes or tobacco products in the state of Kansas, and the written evidence of such authority or privilege as issued by the director. (p) "Licensee" means any person holding a current license issued pursuant to this act. (q) "Manufacturer" means the same as provided defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5702(d). (r) "Manufacturer's salesperson" means a person employed by a cigarette manufacturer who sells cigarettes, manufactured by such employer and procured from wholesale dealers. (s) (1) "Package" means a container in which no more than 25 individual cigarettes are wrapped and sealed by the manufacturer of cigarettes prior to shipment to a wholesale dealer;. (2) For the purposes of K.S.A. 79-3321(v) and (w), and amendments thereto, "package" means the same as provided defined in 15 U.S.C. § 1332(4). (t) "Person" means any individual, partnership, society, association, joint-stock company, corporation, estate, receiver, trustee, assignee, referee or any other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity whether appointed by a court or otherwise and any combination of individuals. (u) "Received" means the coming to rest of cigarettes for sale by any dealer in the state of Kansas. (v) "Retail dealer" or "retailers" means a person, other than a vending machine operator, in possession of cigarettes or electronic cigarettes for the purpose of sale to a consumer. (w) "Sale" means any transfer of title or possession or both, exchange, barter, distribution or gift of cigarettes, tobacco products or electronic cigarettes, with or without consideration. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 3 (x) "Sample" means cigarettes or tobacco products distributed to members of the general public at no cost for purposes of promoting the product. (y) "Self-service display" means a display that contains cigarettes or tobacco products and is located in an area openly accessible to a retail dealer's consumers, and from which such consumers can readily access cigarettes or tobacco products without the assistance of a salesperson, and which is knowingly utilized by the retail dealer to market and sell cigarettes and tobacco products to consumers. A display case that holds cigarettes or tobacco products behind locked doors does not constitute a self-service display. (z) "Stamps" means tax indicia applied by means of heat process, pressure or any other process approved by the director. (aa) "Tax indicia" means visible evidence of tax payment in the form of stamps. (bb) "Tobacco products" means cigars, cheroots, stogies, periques; granulated, plug cut, crimp cut, ready rubbed and other smoking tobacco; snuff, snuff flour; cavendish; plug and twist tobacco; fine cut and other chewing tobaccos; shorts; refuse scraps, clippings, cuttings and sweepings of tobacco, and other kinds and forms of tobacco, prepared in such manner as to be suitable for chewing or smoking in a pipe or otherwise, or both for chewing and smoking. Tobacco products do not include cigarettes. (cc) "Tobacco specialty store" means a dealer establishment that derives at least 65% of such dealer establishment's revenue from cigarettes or tobacco products. (dd) "Vending machine" means any coin operated machine, contrivance or device, by means of which merchandise may be sold. (ee) "Vending machine distributor" means any person who sells cigarette or electronic cigarette vending machines to a vending machine operator operating vending machines in the state of Kansas. (ff) (1) "Vending machine operator" means any person who places a vending machine, owned, leased or operated by such person, at locations where cigarettes or electronic cigarettes are sold from such vending machine. (2) The owner or lessee of the premises upon which a vending machine is placed shall not be considered the operator of the machine, nor shall the owner or lessee, or any employee or agent of the owner or lessee be considered an authorized agent of the vending machine operator, if the owner or lessee does not own or lease the machine and the owner's or lessee's sole remuneration from the machine is a flat rental fee or commission based upon the number or value of cigarettes or electronic cigarettes sold from the machine, or a combination of both. (gg) "Wholesale dealer" means any person who sells cigarettes or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 4 electronic cigarettes to other wholesale dealers, retail dealers, vending machine operators and manufacturer's salespersons for the purpose of resale in the state of Kansas. (hh) "Wholesale sales price" means the original net invoice price for which a manufacturer sells a tobacco product to a distributor, as shown by the manufacturer's original invoice. Sec. 2. K.S.A. 79-3303 is hereby amended to read as follows: 79- 3303. (a) Each person engaged in the business of selling cigarettes or electronic cigarettes in the state of Kansas and each vending machine distributor shall obtain a license as provided by this act. A separate application, license and fee is required for each dealer establishment owned or operated by a dealer. A vending machine operator is required to obtain a vending machine operator's master license and, in addition, a separate permit for each vending machine operated by the operator. A vending machine operator may submit one application for the vending machine operator's master license and all permits for vending machines operated by the operator. The license shall be displayed in the dealer establishment and the vending machine permit shall remain securely and visibly attached to the vending machine and contain such information as the director may require. Any vending machine found without such permit attached to the machine shall be sealed by an agent of the director and such seal shall be removed only by an agent of the director after payment of the permit fee and the penalties provided by this act. (b) The application for a vending machine operator's master license and vending machine permits shall list the brand name and serial number of each machine and such other information as required by the director. Except in accordance with proper judicial order or as otherwise provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of the division to divulge or make known in any way the location of any vending machine to any person not an officer or employee of the division or contracting entity of the division, where the division has determined disclosure of such information is essential for completion of the contract and has taken appropriate steps to preserve confidentiality, except that such information may be divulged to any law enforcement officer for use in the officer's official duties. Any officer, employee or contracting entity revealing any such location in violation of this provision, in addition to the penalties otherwise provided in this act, shall be dismissed from office. (c) A vending machine operator, in the course of business as a vending machine operator, may dispose of or sell vending machines without securing a license to sell vending machines. The vending machine operator may move vending machines from one location to another and, if a vending machine becomes inoperative or is disposed of, the permit for such machine may be transferred to another machine. A vending machine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 5 operator, within 10 days, shall notify the director of the brand name and serial number of vending machines that become inoperative or that the operator disposes of, sells, acquires or brings into service in this state as additional machines. (d) The key to the lower or storage compartment of a vending machine shall remain only in the possession of the vending machine operator or the operator's authorized agent. All services connected with the operation of a vending machine shall be performed by the vending machine operator or the operator's authorized agent. All vending machines shall be subject to inspection by the director or the director's authorized agents. No permit shall be issued for a cigarette vending machine unless it is constructed so that at least one package of each vertical column of cigarettes located therein is visible showing tax indicia. (e) All vending machines operated on military installations shall have a permit affixed to the machines and the cigarettes shall show tax indicia of the Kansas tax. (f) On or before the 10 th day of each month, each vending machine distributor shall report to the director, on forms provided by the director, all sales of cigarette and electronic cigarette vending machines by the distributor to persons in the state of Kansas during the preceding month; the name and address of the purchaser; and the brand name, serial number and sale price of the machines. (g) Concurrently with a change in ownership of a dealer establishment the license applicable to the establishment is void and shall be surrendered to the director and shall not be transferred. On removal of a dealer establishment from one location to another, the owner of the establishment shall notify the director and surrender the owner's license. The director shall issue a new license for the unexpired term of the surrendered license on payment of a fee of $2. If a dealer's license is lost, stolen or destroyed, the director may issue a new license on proof of loss, theft or destruction, at a cost of $2. The director shall remit all moneys received under this subsection to the state treasurer in accordance with the provisions of K.S.A. 75-4215, and amendments thereto. Upon receipt of each such remittance, the state treasurer shall deposit the entire amount in the state treasury to the credit of the state general fund. (h) Any vending machine that sells electronic cigarettes shall be permitted to sell any of the following: (1) Devices used to vaporize a liquid solution for the purpose of consuming nicotine through the use of an electronic cigarette; (2) cartridges, pods or any other containers used in any device described in paragraph (1) to store such liquid solution; and (3) batteries used in electronic cigarettes and the appropriate charging devices for such batteries, if applicable. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 6 Sec. 3. K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-3321 is hereby amended to read as follows: 79-3321. It shall be unlawful for any person: (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided by this act, to possess, sell, transport, import, distribute, wholesale or manufacture more than 1,000 cigarettes without the required tax indicia being affixed as herein provided required by this act. (b) To mutilate or attach to any individual package of cigarettes any stamp that has in any manner been mutilated or that has been heretofore attached to a different individual package of cigarettes or to have in possession any stamps so mutilated. (c) To prevent the director or any officer or agent authorized by law, to make a full inspection for the purpose of this act, of any place of business and all premises connected thereto where cigarettes are or may be manufactured, sold, distributed, or given away. (d) To use any artful device or deceptive practice to conceal any violation of this act or to mislead the director or officer or agent authorized by law in the enforcement of this act. (e) Who is a dealer to fail to produce on demand of the director or any officer or agent authorized by law any records or invoices required to be kept by such person. (f) Knowingly to make, use, or present to the director or agent thereof any falsified invoice or falsely state the nature or quantity of the goods invoiced. (g) Who is a dealer to fail or refuse to keep and preserve for the time and in the manner required by this act all the records required by this act to be kept and preserved. (h) To wholesale cigarettes to any person, other than a manufacturer's salesperson, retail dealer or wholesaler who is: (1) Duly licensed by the state where such manufacturer's salesperson, retail dealer or wholesaler is located; or (2) exempt from state licensing under applicable state or federal laws or court decisions including any such person operating as a retail dealer upon land allotted to or held in trust for an Indian tribe recognized by the United States bureau of Indian affairs. (i) To have in possession any evidence of tax indicia provided for herein required by this act and not purchased from the director. (j) To fail or refuse to permit the director or any officer or agent authorized by law to inspect a carrier transporting cigarettes. (k) To vend small cigars, or any products so wrapped as to be confused with cigarettes, from a machine vending cigarettes, nor shall a vending machine be so built to vend cigars or products that may be confused with cigarettes, be attached to a cigarette vending machine. This subsection shall not apply to the sale of electronic cigarettes from a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 7 vending machine. (l) To sell, furnish or distribute cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or tobacco products to any person under 21 years of age. (m) Who is under 21 years of age to purchase or attempt to purchase cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or tobacco products. (n) Who is under 21 years of age to possess or attempt to possess cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or tobacco products. (o) To sell cigarettes to a retailer or at retail that do not bear Kansas tax indicia or upon which the Kansas cigarette tax has not been paid. (p) To sell cigarettes without having a license for such sale as provided herein required by this act. (q) To sell a vending machine without having a vending machine distributor's license. (r) Who is a retail dealer to fail to post and maintain in a conspicuous place in the dealer's establishment the following notice: "By law, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco products may be sold only to persons 21 years of age and older." (s) To distribute samples within 500 feet of any school when such facility is being used primarily by persons under 21 years of age unless the sampling is: (1) In an area to which persons under 21 years of age are denied access; (2) in or at a retail location where cigarettes and tobacco products are the primary commodity offered for sale at retail; or (3) at or adjacent to an outdoor production, repair or construction site or facility. (t) To sell cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or tobacco products by means of a vending machine, including vending machines that sell packaged, single cigarettes, in any establishment, or portion of an establishment, which is open to minors, except that this subsection shall not apply to: (1) The installation and use by the proprietor of the establishment, or by the proprietor's agents or employees, of vending machines behind a counter, or in some place in such establishment, or portion thereof, to which minors are prohibited by law from having access; or (2) the installation and use of a vending machine in a commercial building or industrial plant, or portions thereof, where the public is not customarily admitted and where machines are intended for the sole use of adult employees employed in the building or plant. (u) To sell cigarettes, electronic cigarettes or tobacco products by means of a self-service display in any establishment, except that the provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: (1) A vending machine that is permitted under subsection (t); 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 8 (2) a self-service display that is located in a tobacco specialty store; or (3) a self-service display located in a facility where the retailer ensures that no person younger than 21 years of age is present or permitted to enter at any time. (v) To sell or distribute in this state; to acquire, hold, own, possess or transport for sale or distribution in this state; or to import or cause to be imported, into this state for sale or distribution in this state: (1) Any cigarettes the package of which: (A) Bears any statement, label, stamp, sticker or notice indicating that the manufacturer did not intend the cigarettes to be sold, distributed or used in the United States, including, but not limited to, labels stating "For Export Only," "U.S. Tax-Exempt," "For Use Outside U.S." or similar wording; or (B) does not comply with: (i) All requirements imposed by or pursuant to federal law regarding warnings and other information on packages of cigarettes manufactured, packaged or imported for sale, distribution or use in the United States, including but not limited to the precise warning labels specified in the federal cigarette labeling and advertising act, 15 U.S.C. § 1333; and (ii) all federal trademark and copyright laws; (2) any cigarettes imported into the United States in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 5754 or any other federal law, or federal regulations implementing such laws; (3) any cigarettes that such person otherwise knows or has reason to know the manufacturer did not intend to be sold, distributed or used in the United States; or (4) any cigarettes for which there has not been submitted to the secretary of the U.S. department of health and human services the list or lists of the ingredients added to tobacco in the manufacture of such cigarettes required by the federal cigarette labeling and advertising act, 15 U.S.C. § 1335a. (w) To alter the package of any cigarettes, prior to sale or distribution to the ultimate consumer, so as to remove, conceal or obscure: (1) Any statement, label, stamp, sticker or notice described in subsection (v); or (2) any health warning that is not specified in, or does not conform with, the requirements of, the federal cigarette labeling and advertising act, 15 U.S.C. § 1333. (x) To affix any stamp required pursuant to K.S.A. 79-3311, and amendments thereto, to the package of any cigarettes described in subsection (v) or altered in violation of subsection (w). (y) To possess, sell, transport, import, distribute, wholesale or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 HB 2094 9 manufacture cigarettes, smokeless tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco in violation of K.S.A. 50-6a01 et seq., and amendments thereto. (z) To sell cigarettes, smokeless tobacco or roll-your-own tobacco in any manner that is not a direct, face-to-face exchange between the retailer and the consumer, except: (1) Mail-order sales, which shall not include mail-order redemption coupons and distribution of free samples through the mail; (2) vending machines as provided in subsection (t); and (3) self-service displays as provided in subsection (u). Sec. 4. K.S.A. 79-3399 is hereby amended to read as follows: 79- 3399. (a) On and after July 1, 2017, A tax is hereby imposed upon the privilege of selling or dealing in electronic cigarettes in this state by any person engaged in business as a distributor thereof, at the rate of $.05 per milliliter of consumable material for electronic cigarettes and a proportionate tax at the like rate on all fractional parts thereof. For electronic cigarettes in the possession of retail dealers or vending machine operators for which tax has not been paid, tax shall be imposed under this subsection at the earliest time the retail dealer or vending machine operator: (1) Brings or causes to be brought into this state from without the state electronic cigarettes for sale; (2) makes, manufactures or fabricates electronic cigarettes in this state for sale in this state; or (3) sells electronic cigarettes to consumers within this state. (b) As used in this section, "consumable material" means any liquid solution or other material that is depleted as an electronic cigarette is used. (c) The secretary of revenue shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section. Sec. 5. K.S.A. 79-3301, 79-3303 and 79-3399 and K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 79-3321 are hereby repealed. Sec. 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute book. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32