AB 1125

This bill requires a person who sells electronic smoking devices to obtain a

cigarette and tobacco products retailer license. The bill defines an “electronic

smoking device” as any device that can be used to deliver an aerosolized or vaporized

liquid or other substance for inhalation, regardless of whether the liquid or other

substance contains nicotine, including parts, accessories, liquids, substances,

e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens, and e-hookahs.

Specifically, the bill requires a retailer who sells or offers for sale electronic

smoking devices to obtain an annual license from the clerk of the city, village, or town

where the retailer is located. Under the bill, municipalities that issue retail licenses

to sell cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices must submit a list

annually to the Department of Revenue with a list of those licenses and certain

information relating to the licenses and licensees, which DOR must post on its

Internet site.

The bill also authorizes cities, villages, and towns to enact an ordinance

regulating cigarette, tobacco product, and electronic smoking device retailers if the

ordinance is at least as stringent as the requirements under state law. Additionally,

the bill authorizes two positions in the Department of Health Services to conduct

investigations of retail sales of cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, and tobacco

products, and two positions in DOR for administering and enforcing the taxes

imposed on the sale of electronic smoking devices.

The bill also provides additional funding for 1) local investigations of retail

sales of cigarettes and tobacco products, 2) special education aid the Department of

Public Instruction pays to school districts, independent charter schools, cooperative

educational service agencies, and county children with disabilities education boards;

3) the University of Wisconsin System under its general program operations

appropriation; and 4) state aid to technical colleges.