(a) On or before January 1, 2004, every manufacturer and every importer shall pay to the board an administration fee. The amount of the administration fee shall be one cent ($0.01) per package of cigarettes (1) manufactured or imported by the manufacturer or the importer and (2) shipped into this state during the 2001 calendar year as reported to the board. The board shall notify each manufacturer and each importer of the amount due under this section.
(b) This section shall apply to every manufacturer and every importer required to be licensed pursuant to Section 22979. All manufacturers and all importers that may become eligible for licensure on or after December 1, 2003, shall be notified by the board of the appropriate fee due and shall pay that fee within 90 days of notification.
(c) All manufacturers and all importers that begin operations in the state after enactment of this division shall be charged a fee commensurate with their respective market share of (1) cigarettes manufactured or imported by the manufacturer or the importer and (2) sold in this state during the next calendar year as estimated by the board. The fee shall be at an amount not less than that paid pursuant to subdivision (a) by the smallest manufacturer, but may not be more than that paid by the eighth largest manufacturer.
(d) The board shall administer this fee in accordance with the Fee Collection Procedures Law, Part 30 (commencing with Section 55001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 512, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2006.)