HB 268 -- Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement

Sponsor:  Goodman

This bill modifies the release of certain funds placed in escrow
by tobacco product manufacturers in compliance with the 1998
Master Settlement Agreement.  The number of units sold in
Missouri is allowed to be taken into consideration for the
release of the funds.

Certain requirements are established for participating tobacco
manufacturers and for nonparticipating tobacco manufacturers
relating to the agreement between various tobacco companies and
the State of Missouri, 45 other states, the District of Columbia,
and five U. S. territories.

All tobacco manufacturers whose cigarettes are sold in Missouri
are required to report and certify to the Department of Revenue
and the Attorney General's office by April 30 of each year that
they are in compliance with the Tobacco Settlement Model Statute
currently in Missouri law.

In addition to the certification, participating manufacturers
must also provide a list of "brand families" of cigarette types.
Nonparticipating manufacturers must submit their brand families,
the number of units sold for each family at any time during the
year, the name and address of any other manufacturer of their
brand families in the preceding or current calendar year, and
other information to verify compliance with the model statute.
Each nonresident or foreign nonparticipating manufacturer must be
registered to do business in the state or maintain an agent
within the state for the purpose of service of process relating
to the enforcement of the bill.

By June 1, 2006, the Director of the Department of Revenue must
make available for public inspection or publish on the
department's web site a list of all tobacco product manufacturers
that have provided the certification requirements established in
the bill.

Stamping agents (persons authorized to affix cigarette tax stamps
to cigarette packages) are required to submit to the director an
e-mail address for the receipt of notifications as required by
the bill and to submit various reports and documents as required
by the department.

Various penalties and actions for failure to comply with the
requirements of the bill are included.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:18 pm