Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1547 is enacted to read:

§1547.__Tobacco products manufacturer licenses

Beginning January 1, 2000, any tobacco products manufacturer that distributes for sale or sells directly tobacco products in the State shall obtain a license for the distribution or sale as required by this section.

1.__Definitions.__As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.

A.__"Distributes for sale" means imports into the State for sale or distribution by a retailer or other person or entity.

B.__"Sells directly" means sells, offers for sale or distributes for free and includes transfers by exchange or barter.

C.__"Tobacco products manufacturer" means a manufacturer of tobacco products as defined by paragraph D.

D.__"Tobacco products" means any form of tobacco meant for smoking in cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other objects giving off or containing any substance giving off smoke and includes smokeless tobacco.

2.__Licensing requirements.__Applicants for licenses to distribute for sale or sell tobacco products in the State must comply with the following requirements.

A.__Applicants must submit a completed application to the department.

B.__Applicants must submit an annual licensing fee of $10,000.

3.__Exclusion.__This section does not apply to retailers of tobacco products licensed under chapter 262-A or distributors of tobacco products licensed under Title 36, chapter 703 or 704.

4.__Rulemaking.__The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.__Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.