Cigarette and tobacco products: licensing and enforcement.
- Increases tobacco retailer license fees from $265 to up to $600 to fund enhanced enforcement efforts.
- Requires state agencies to evaluate tobacco enforcement program funding and inspection rates through 2029.
- Strengthens penalties and seizure authority for retailers selling illegal flavored tobacco products.
- Mandates more frequent retail inspections to reduce youth access to tobacco products.
Assembly Member Rogers proposes comprehensive changes to California's tobacco retailer licensing program, adjusting fees and strengthening enforcement mechanisms to address compliance challenges with flavored tobacco regulations. The legislation would increase the maximum tobacco retailer licensing fee from $265 to $600 annually to fund expanded inspection and enforcement activities.
The bill establishes new oversight requirements, directing the Legislative Analyst to evaluate program funding adequacy and retailer inspection rates through reports due in 2027 and 2029. These assessments must examine agency coordination strategies, analyze whether licensing fees support effective enforcement, and review costs associated with seized product disposal. The reporting mandate expires in 2034.
For wholesalers violating flavored tobacco restrictions, the legislation standardizes the definition of "package" when calculating penalties and clarifies procedures for product seizures. The bill maintains the existing $50 per-package civil penalty while establishing a graduated enforcement system - warnings for first violations, license suspension for second infractions, and license revocation for third offenses. The measure also consolidates overlapping enforcement provisions by repealing redundant authority granted through previous legislation.
The changes come as state data indicates rising retailer violation rates since California's flavored tobacco ban took effect, with current inspection capacity limited to approximately 15% of licensed locations annually. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration oversees licensing for roughly 30,000 tobacco retailers statewide.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
 Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD Assembly Member | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mia BontaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Dawn AddisD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
- Increases tobacco retailer license fees from $265 to up to $600 to fund enhanced enforcement efforts.
- Requires state agencies to evaluate tobacco enforcement program funding and inspection rates through 2029.
- Strengthens penalties and seizure authority for retailers selling illegal flavored tobacco products.
- Mandates more frequent retail inspections to reduce youth access to tobacco products.
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Rogers proposes comprehensive changes to California's tobacco retailer licensing program, adjusting fees and strengthening enforcement mechanisms to address compliance challenges with flavored tobacco regulations. The legislation would increase the maximum tobacco retailer licensing fee from $265 to $600 annually to fund expanded inspection and enforcement activities.
The bill establishes new oversight requirements, directing the Legislative Analyst to evaluate program funding adequacy and retailer inspection rates through reports due in 2027 and 2029. These assessments must examine agency coordination strategies, analyze whether licensing fees support effective enforcement, and review costs associated with seized product disposal. The reporting mandate expires in 2034.
For wholesalers violating flavored tobacco restrictions, the legislation standardizes the definition of "package" when calculating penalties and clarifies procedures for product seizures. The bill maintains the existing $50 per-package civil penalty while establishing a graduated enforcement system - warnings for first violations, license suspension for second infractions, and license revocation for third offenses. The measure also consolidates overlapping enforcement provisions by repealing redundant authority granted through previous legislation.
The changes come as state data indicates rising retailer violation rates since California's flavored tobacco ban took effect, with current inspection capacity limited to approximately 15% of licensed locations annually. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration oversees licensing for roughly 30,000 tobacco retailers statewide.
Cecilia Aguiar-CurryD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Heath FloraR Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mia BontaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Dawn AddisD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted |