§ 23-1-56. License. (a) Each person engaging in the business of selling electronic nicotine-delivery system products in the state, including any distributor or dealer, shall secure a license annually from the department before engaging in that business or continuing to engage in it. A separate application and license is required for each place of business operated by a distributor or dealer. If the applicant for a license does not have a place of business in this state, the license shall be issued for such applicant's principal place of business, wherever located. A licensee shall notify the department within thirty (30) days in the event that it changes its principal place of business. A separate license is required for each class of business if the applicant is engaged in more than one of the activities required to be licensed by this section. No person shall maintain or operate, or cause to be operated, a vending machine for electronic nicotine-delivery systems without procuring a dealer's license for each machine.

(b) The director shall have authority to set a reasonable fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the issuance of the license.

(c) Each issued license shall be prominently displayed on the premises, if any, covered by the license.

(d) The director shall create and maintain a website setting forth the identity of all licensed persons under this section, itemized by type of license possessed, and shall update the site no less frequently than six (6) times per year.

(e) A manufacturer or importer may sell or distribute electronic nicotine-delivery systems to a person located or doing business within the state only if such person is a licensed distributor. An importer may obtain electronic nicotine-delivery systems only from a licensed manufacturer. A distributor may sell or distribute electronic nicotine-delivery systems to a person located or doing business within this state only if such person is a licensed distributor or dealer. A distributor may obtain electronic nicotine-delivery systems only from a licensed manufacturer, importer, or distributor. A dealer may obtain electronic nicotine-delivery systems only from a licensed distributor.

(f)(1) No license under this chapter may be granted, maintained, or renewed if the applicant, or any combination of persons owning directly or indirectly any interests in the applicant:

(i) Is delinquent in any tax filings for one month or more; or

(ii) Had a license under this chapter revoked within the past two (2) years.

(2) No person shall apply for a new license, or renewal of a license and no license shall be issued or renewed for any person, unless all outstanding fines, fees, or other charges relating to any license held by that person have been paid.

(3) No license shall be issued relating to a business at any specific location until all prior licenses relating to that location have been officially terminated and all fines, fees, or charges relating to the prior licenses have been paid or otherwise resolved or if the director has found that the person applying for the new license is not acting as an agent for the prior licensee who is subject to any such related fines, fees, or charges that are still due. Evidence of such agency status includes, but is not limited to, a direct familial relationship and/or employment, contractual, or other formal financial or business relationship with the prior licensee.

(4) No person shall apply for a new license pertaining to a specific location in order to evade payment of any fines, fees, or other charges relating to a prior license for that location.

(5) No new license shall be issued for a business at a specific location for which a license has already issued unless there is a bona fide, good-faith change in ownership of the business at that location.

(6) No license or permit shall be issued, renewed or maintained for any person, including the owners of the business being licensed, who has been convicted of violating any criminal law relating to tobacco products and/or electronic nicotine-delivery system products, the payment of taxes, or fraud, or has been ordered to pay civil fines of more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for violations of any civil law relating to tobacco products and/or electronic nicotine-delivery system products, the payment of taxes, or fraud.

History of Section. (P.L. 2014, ch. 182, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 223, § 2.)