Chairperson Smith opened the hearing for HB2783.

Adam Siebers provided an overview for HB2783 that increases the tax on electronic cigarettes from the current rate of $0.05 per milliliter of consumable materials to $0.15 per milliliter of consumable material. (Attachment 8)  

Mr. Siebers stood for questions from Committee members.

Kathleen Smith provided an overview on the fiscal note for HB2783 that would result in revenue of $7.12 million which would be credited to the Childrens Initiative Fund.  The estimate was based upon a 5-year average of past year's collections.

Ms. Smith stood for questions from Committee members.

Proponents:

Representative Goetz, 119th District, testified as a proponent for HB2783 that increases the tax on electronic cigarettes from $0.05 per milliliter and directs $0.10 per milliliter to the Children's Initiative Fund (CIF). The purpose of the bill is to stabilize and strengthen funding for early development childhood programs that serve Kansas children. (Attachment 9)

Representative Goetz stood for questions from Committee members.

Nathan Kessler, Kansas Action for Children, testified as a proponent for HB2783 that would increase the tax on electronic cigarettes and credit the additional revenue to the Children's Initiatives Fund (CIF). The revenue would modernize funding for the CIF and support programs for families across Kansas. (Attachment 10)

Mr. Kessler stood for questions from Committee members.

Written only proponent testimony for HB2783 was submitted by the following:

LeEtta Felter, Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, (Attachment 11)

Dena Hubbard, Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, (Attachment 12)

Jonathan Smith, Lawrence Douglas County Public Health, (Attachment 13)

Tanya Dorf Brunner, Oral Health Kansas, (Attachment 14)

Charlie Hunt, Johnson County Health & Environment, (Attachment 15)

Opponents:

Byron McNary, McVapor, LLC, testified as an opponent to HB2783 because it is not a fair tax to be assessed to a product that is intended to give people a safe alternative to combustible cigarettes. (Attachment 16)

 Wally Gibson, One Stop VAPE Shop, testified as an opponent to HB2783 noting the Children's Initiative Fund was designed to be funded by the Master Tobacco Settlement of 1998 and that revenue is routinely moved to the State General Fund.  The allotted funds are to be used for the Children's Initiative Fund and other youth T-Set programs. (Attachment 17)

Written only opponent testimony for HB2783 was submitted by the following:

Megan Word, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network,  (Attachment 18)

Tanner Tempel, Americans for Prosperity, (Attachment 19)

Sara Prem, Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition, (Attachment 20)

Eric Stafford, Kansas Chamber, (Attachment 21)

David Spross, National Association of Tobacco Outlets, (Attachment 22)

There being no neutral conferees, Chairperson Smith closed the hearing for HB2783.