HB 908 -- Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement

Sponsor:  Wasson

This bill modifies the release of certain funds placed in escrow
by the 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 and
nonparticipating tobacco manufacturers relating to the agreement
between various tobacco companies and Missouri, 45 other states,
the District of Columbia, and five United States territories.

All tobacco manufacturers whose cigarettes are sold in Missouri
are required to report and certify to the Department of Revenue
and the Office of the Attorney General 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 Missouri or maintain an agent within
the state for the purpose of the service of process relating to
the enforcement of the bill.

By July 1, 2007, 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 satisfied 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 department
director an e-mail address for the receipt of notifications and
to submit various reports and documents as required by the
department.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:20 am