LRB-4775/2
JK&RPN:jlg:km
1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE
March 20, 2000 - Introduced by Representative M. Lehman, cosponsored by
Senator Robson. Referred to Committee on Ways and Means.
AB898,1,3 1An Act to amend 139.30 (7) and 139.321 (1) (intro.); and to create 139.31 (4),
2139.34 (3) and 139.39 (4m) of the statutes; relating to: the sale of cigarettes
3that are not intended for sale in the United States and providing a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, tax stamps must be affixed to each package of cigarettes
that is sold in this state. Under current law, a person who possesses over 400
cigarettes without tax stamps but not more than 6,000 cigarettes without tax stamps
is subject to a fine of not more than $200 or imprisonment for not more than six
months or both. A person who possesses over 6,000 cigarettes without tax stamps
but not more than 36,000 cigarettes without tax stamps is subject to a fine of not more
than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year or both. A person who
possesses over 36,000 cigarettes without tax stamps is subject to a fine of not more
than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years or both.
This bill prohibits affixing tax stamps to cigarettes that are intended for sale
outside the United States; to cigarettes that are labeled as provided under federal
law as not for consumption inside the United States; and to cigarette packages that
are modified by a person who is not the cigarette manufacturer or an authorized
agent of the cigarette manufacturer. Under the bill, a person who possesses, sells or
distributes these types of cigarettes is subject to the same penalties that are
applicable to the possession of cigarettes without tax stamps.
The bill allows any person to bring a suit for damages or injunctive relief
against a person who affixes tax stamps to cigarettes that are intended for sale
outside the United States.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB898, s. 1 1Section 1. 139.30 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB898,2,42 139.30 (7) "Manufacturer" means any person who manufactures cigarettes for
3the purpose of sale, including the authorized agent of a person who manufactures
4cigarettes for the purpose of sale
.
AB898, s. 2 5Section 2. 139.31 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
AB898,2,76 139.31 (4) No person may affix stamps, as described under s. 139.32, to any of
7the following:
AB898,2,98(a) A cigarette package that is labeled as tax exempt under section 5704 (b) of
9the Internal Revenue Code or as tax exempt under 27 CFR 290.185.
AB898,2,1110 (b) A cigarette package that is labeled as provided under federal law as not
11intended for consumption in the United States.
AB898,2,1212 (bm) A cigarette package that is not labeled as provided under federal law.
AB898,2,1413 (c) A cigarette package that is modified by a person who is not the cigarette
14manufacturer.
AB898,2,1615 (d) Any cigarettes that are imported into the United States after December 31,
161999, in violation of federal law.
AB898, s. 3 17Section 3. 139.321 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB898,3,318 139.321 (1) (intro.) It is unlawful for any person to possess in excess of 400
19cigarettes unless the required stamps are properly affixed as provided in ss. 139.32
20(1) and 139.33 (4). It is unlawful for any person to possess in excess of 400 cigarettes
21as described under s. 139.31 (4); or to sell or distribute cigarettes as described under

1s. 139.31 (4); other than cigarettes that may be brought into the United States for
2personal use and cigarettes that are sold or intended for sale by a duty-free
3enterprise, as provided under federal law.
AB898, s. 4 4Section 4. 139.34 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
AB898,3,85 139.34 (3) No distributor may affix stamps to cigarette packages, as provided
6in s. 139.32, unless the distributor certifies to the department, in a manner
7prescribed by the department, that the distributor purchases cigarettes directly from
8a manufacturer.
AB898, s. 5 9Section 5. 139.39 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB898,3,1510 139.39 (4m) Any person may bring an action for a violation of s. 139.31 (4) for
11actual damages sustained as a result of the violation and for injunctive relief.
12Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), the court may order the violator to pay the prevailing
13party's costs and reasonable attorney fees. The trier of fact may increase recovery
14to an amount not exceeding 3 times the actual damages sustained as a result of the
15violation, if the trier of fact determines that the violation is wilful.
AB898,3,1616 (End)
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