Win for Alabama vapers!

[bluecat]

Haha, I like the names you gave philoshop

Sad thing, there's still a lot of people that hear advocacy and just turn their backs to it. I post about it online, I get maybe 11 likes on Instagram or something. If I post something about a giveaway I would get 100 likes, which is pretty pathetic. While people are being lazy sitting on their .... blowing clouds and not fighting for their right to vape, there are others that are fighting. Sad thing the lazy people are the first to complain when something negative is passed about vaping.

I take donuts to Boehner's local office every month or so. I am not sure it helps but I do get to say my piece about vaping and other things. This month I will be able to take a new piece of hardware to show them. Hopefully the nice little old lady who seems interested is there. She is a UK fan as well, so I should grab some points with a blue device.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Found two tobacco tax bills (HB 9, HB 10) that were just introduced and assigned to the House Ways and Means General Cmte, but both are still listed (on the AL legislative website) as "Pending Committee Action". Perhaps the website hasn't been updated yet.
http://alisondb.legislature.state.a...eans General Fund&SELECTEDDAY={All}&BODY=1755

HB 9 would increase the cigarette tax (from $42.5 to $67.5/pack), would impose a $.25/ml tax on nicotine vapor liquid (i.e. $7.50 tax on a 30ml bottle), and would tax far more hazardous smoking tobacco and little cigars at far lower rates than e-liquid.
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/searchableinstruments/2015fs/bills/HB9.htm

HB 10 would just increase the cigarette tax (from $42.5 to $67.5/pack)
http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/searchableinstruments/2015fs/bills/HB10.htm

The news article at
Alabama House committee votes down cigarette tax - TimesDaily: News
says the Ways and Means General Cmte rejected a bill (but didn't name the bill) by a 8-7 vote that would have increased the cigarette tax by $.25/pack).

Can anyone from Alabama (who knows what happened yesterday) explain this inconsistent information?

 

[Bill Godshall]

According to the article at
Tobacco tax goes down in flames in Alabama Legislature - Yellowhammer News
HB 10 was rejected by the 8-7 vote by the House Ways and Means Cmte on Tuesday, which means that the AL legislature's website posted above (claiming that HB 10 is still pending before the Cmte) hasn't been updated for the past two days.

Breathe Easier Alliance of Alabama says HB 9 (to tax nicotine vapor liquid at $.25/ml) has been withdrawn for consideration during the special session.
/

But it may be premature to declare victory, as anything can happen during special legislative sessions to enact a state budget. Until the AL special budget session is over, I suggest remaining vigilant .

It would also help to generate a news story about the purported demise of HB 9, as doing so would make it more difficult for the AL legislature to revive HB 9 or introduce anther vapor tax bill in the special session.

Also, does anyone know if the AL Senate considering a vapor tax bill?

 

[dbrandt01]

Some people brought up them trying to put it back in. BEAA posted this today since there is a bill for cigarette tax. As of now, looks like we're still in the clear.

"The cigarette tax bill passed out of the general fund committee this morning. There was no vape/e-cig amendment added it to it. I will continue to monitor it closely as it advances through the legislative process"

 

[bluecat]

Some people brought up them trying to put it back in. BEAA posted this today since there is a bill for cigarette tax. As of now, looks like we're still in the clear.

"The cigarette tax bill passed out of the general fund committee this morning. There was no vape/e-cig amendment added it to it. I will continue to monitor it closely as it advances through the legislative process"

Sounds a little bit what happened here in Ohio. I keep trying to follow it because I don't trust my legislature. How sad is that? The one group I should be able to trust.. and I can't. It is tough to keep track of.

Just remember Ted Kennedy started on government health care in the 60's. Politicians never give up. They need to keep rehashing things for their "pay". I envy the time when a politicians job was "part time". Self created full time government jobs are scary.