House Bill 1227

Chairman: Roger Williams

Committee: Regulated Industries

House Sponsor: Jeff Lewis

Chairman Williams’ opinion of this legislation:

This bill creates an “Anti-cigarette Smuggling Act”. It adds a new Code Section 48-11-3.1 that requires the department to utilize appropriate technology for digital based cigarette stamp processes. Such technology will enable the enforcement officers to instantly verify the validity of a stamp as well as will enable the department to track individual cigarette packages and this way aid in preventing forgery and tax evasion. It sets the timeline for vendor proposals, the pilot program and for the final state-wide implementation and makes this Act contingent on the appropriation of funds by the state.

This bill comes to the House Floor under the Structured Rule.