Kansas 2025 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2094 Introduced / Bill

Filed 01/27/2025

                    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: 
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(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.
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(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 
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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 
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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.
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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 
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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);
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(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 
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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.
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