1 Tax Imposed; Tobacco Tax. Amend RSA 78:2 to read as follows:

78:2 Tax Imposed.

I. A tax on all cigarettes and little cigars sold at retail in this state is imposed upon the consumer at the rate of $1.78 for each package containing 20 cigarettes or little cigars or at a rate proportional to such rate for packages containing other than 20 cigarettes or little cigars.

II.(a) A tax on all other tobacco products sold at retail in this state is imposed on tobacco products other than cigarettes, except electronic cigarettes, at a rate of 65.03 percent of the wholesale sales price.

(b) A tax upon electronic cigarettes sold at retail in this state is imposed as follows:

(1) For closed cartridges or containers of liquid or other substances containing nicotine that are not intended to be opened, at a rate of $0.30 per milliliter on the volume of the liquid or other substance in the cartridge or container as listed by the manufacturer ; and

(2) For containers of liquid or other substances containing nicotine that are intended to be opened, at a rate of 8 percent of the wholesale sales price.

(c) The tax under this paragraph may be rounded to the nearest cent if the commissioner determines that the amount of tax would not thereby be made materially disproportionate. No such tax shall be imposed on premium cigars.

III. The tax shall be paid by the wholesaler who ships or transports tobacco products to retailers in this state, to be sold by those retailers.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study taxes on tobacco and other nicotine products.

3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4 Duties. The committee shall study taxes on tobacco and other nicotine products.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2025.

7 Effective Date.

I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.

1 Tax Imposed; Tobacco Tax. Amend RSA 78:2 to read as follows:

78:2 Tax Imposed.

I. A tax on all cigarettes and little cigars sold at retail in this state is imposed upon the consumer at the rate of $2.78 for each package containing 20 cigarettes or little cigars or at a rate proportional to such rate for packages containing other than 20 cigarettes or little cigars.

II.(a) A tax on all other tobacco products sold at retail in this state is imposed on tobacco products other than cigarettes, except electronic cigarettes, at a rate of 65.03 percent of the wholesale sales price.

(b) A tax upon electronic cigarettes sold at retail in this state is imposed as follows:

(1) For closed cartridges or containers of liquid or other substances containing nicotine that are not intended to be opened, 65 percent of the wholesale sales price ; and

(2) For containers of liquid or other substances containing nicotine that are intended to be opened, at a rate of 8 65 percent of the wholesale sales price.

(c) The tax under this paragraph may be rounded to the nearest cent if the commissioner determines that the amount of tax would not thereby be made materially disproportionate. No such tax shall be imposed on premium cigars.

III. The tax shall be paid by the wholesaler who ships or transports tobacco products to retailers in this state, to be sold by those retailers.

2 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study taxes on tobacco and other nicotine products.

3 Membership and Compensation.

I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) One member of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

4 Duties. The committee shall study taxes on tobacco and other nicotine products.

5 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

6 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2025.

7 Effective Date.

I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.