1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to taxation; tobacco; modifying the definition of premium cigar; 
1.3 	reducing the maximum tax on premium cigars;amending Minnesota Statutes 
1.4 	2014, sections 297F.01, subdivision 13a; 297F.05, subdivisions 3a, 4a.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297F.01, subdivision 13a, is amended to 
1.7 	read:
1.8 		Subd. 13a.Premium cigar. "Premium cigar" means any cigar that is 
1.9 	hand-constructed and hand-rolled, has a wrapper that is made entirely from whole tobacco 
1.10 	leaf, has a filler and binder that is made entirely of tobacco, except for adhesives or other 
1.11 	materials used to maintain size, texture, or flavor, and has a wholesale price of no less 
1.12 	than $2.

1.13 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2015.

1.14 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297F.05, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:
1.15 		Subd. 3a.Rates; tobacco. (a) A tax is imposed upon all premium cigars in this state 
1.16 	and upon any person engaged in business as a tobacco product distributor, at the lesser of:
1.17 	(1) the rate of 95 percent of the wholesale sales price of the premium cigars; or
1.18 	(2) $3.50 $0.50 per premium cigar.
1.19 	(b) The tax imposed under paragraph (a) is imposed at the time the tobacco products 
1.20 	distributor:
1.21 	(1) brings, or causes to be brought, into this state from outside the state premium 
1.22 	cigars for sale;
2.1 	(2) makes, manufactures, or fabricates premium cigars in this state for sale in this 
2.2 	state; or
2.3 	(3) ships or transports premium cigars to retailers in this state, to be sold by those 
2.4 	retailers.

2.5 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2015.

2.6 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 297F.05, subdivision 4a, is amended to read:
2.7 		Subd. 4a.Use tax; premium cigars. A tax is imposed upon the use or storage by 
2.8 	consumers of all premium cigars in this state, and upon such consumers, at the lesser of:
2.9 	(1) the rate of 95 percent of the cost to the consumer of the premium cigars; or
2.10 	(2) $3.50 $0.50 per premium cigar.

2.11 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective July 1, 2015.