2019 -- H 5523

========

LC001819

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - SUGARY DRINKS

     Introduced By: Representative Jean Phillipe Barros

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2019

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative Findings.

     (1) Obesity is common as approximately one-third of adults (36.5 %) and approximately

12.7 million (17 %) of children and adolescents ages two (2) to nineteen (19) years old living in

the United States are obese; and

     (2) Obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past

thirty (30) years, and obese children are at least twice as likely as nonobese children to become

obese adults; and

     (3) Twenty-five (25) states currently have an adult obesity rate above thirty percent

(30%), forty-three (43) states have rates of at least twenty-five (25%) percent, and every state has

a rate above twenty percent (20%); and

     (4) In accordance with the most recent data, twenty-six percent (26%) of the adults and

over thirteen percent (13%) of children between the ages of ten (10) to seventeen (17) living in

the state of Rhode Island are obese; and

     (5) Obesity increases the risk of serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes,

coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, some types of cancer, sleep apnea and other

respiratory problems; and

     (6) Obesity-related health conditions have serious economic costs and overweight and

obesity may account for one hundred forty-seven billion dollars ($147,000,000,000) in annual

health care costs nationally, or nine percent (9%) of all medical spending; and

     (7) In the United States, roughly one-half (1/2) of these costs may be paid by Medicare

and Medicaid, meaning taxpayers absorb the costs for health care associated with obesity

treatment; and

     (8) Medicare and Medicaid spending would be eight and one-half percent (8.5%) and

eleven and eight-tenths percent (11.8%) lower, respectively, in the absence of obesity-related

spending

     (9) There is sufficient scientific evidence that regular consumption of sugary drinks

causes excess weight gain and these beverages are unique contributors to obesity and type 2

diabetes; and there is sufficient scientific evidence that reducing sugary drink consumption will

have a significant impact on the prevalence of obesity and obesity-related diseases such as type 2

diabetes and other metabolic diseases; and

     (10) Sugary drinks are the single largest source of added sugars in the American diet and

an average twenty ounce (20 oz.) sugary drink, such as soda, contains fifteen (15) to eighteen (18)

teaspoons of sugar and upwards of two hundred forty (240) calories; and

     (11) The American Heart Association recommends limiting the amount of added sugars

adults consume to no more than half of their daily discretionary calorie allowance and for most

American women, that is no more than one hundred (100) calories per day, or about six (6)

teaspoons of sugar, and for men, it is one hundred fifty (150) calories per day, or about nine (9)

teaspoons; and

     (12) The American Heart Association recommends that a person eating a two thousand

(2,000) calorie diet consume no more than four hundred fifty (450) calories from sugary drinks

per week and if adults are sedentary, their consumption should be lower; and

     (13) Taxes and subsidies on food can influence consumption and it is recommended that

taxes should be implemented as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent obesity; and

     (14) In the case of sugary drinks, research suggests that a 10 percent (10%) increase in

their prices may lead to an eight to ten percent (8 – 10%) reduction in sugary drink purchases.

     SECTION 2. TITLE 44 of the General Laws entitled "TAXATION" is hereby amended

by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 70

SUGARY DRINKS TAX

     44-70-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Sugary Drinks Tax".

     44-70-2. Legislative Intent.

     It is the intent of the general assembly, by adopting a sugary drinks tax and creating the

LC001819 - Page 2 of 11

children’s health promotion fund, to diminish the human and economic costs of obesity in the

state of Rhode Island. The intent is to discourage excessive consumption of sugary drinks and to

create a dedicated revenue source for programs designed to benefit public health and wellness.

     44-70-3. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings

unless the context clearly indicate another or different meaning or intent:

     (1) "Beverage for medical use" means a beverage suitable for human consumption and

manufactured for use as an oral nutritional therapy for persons who cannot absorb or metabolize

dietary nutrients from food or beverages, or for use as an oral rehydration electrolyte solution for

infants and children formulated to prevent or treat dehydration due to illness. "Beverage for

medical use" shall also mean a "medical food" as defined in section 5(b)(3) of the Orphan Drug

Act (21 U.S.C. 360ee(b)(3)); this chapter defines medical food as "a food which is formulated to

be consumed or administered externally under the supervision of a physician and which is

intended for the specific dietary management of a disease or condition for which distinctive

nutritional requirements, based on recognized scientific principles, are established by medical

evaluation." "Beverage for medical use" shall not include drinks commonly referred to as "sports

drinks" or any other common names that are derivations thereof.

     (2) "Bottle" means any closed or sealed container regardless of size or shape, including,

without limitation, those made of glass, metal, paper, plastic, or any other material or

combination of materials.

     (3) "Bottled sugary drink" means any sugary drink contained in a bottle that is ready for

consumption without further processing such as, without limitation, dilution or carbonation.

     (4) "Caloric sweetener" means any caloric substance suitable for human consumption that

humans perceive as sweet and includes, without limitation, sucrose, fructose, glucose, fruit juice

concentrate or other sugars. "Caloric sweetener" excludes noncaloric sweeteners. For purposes of

this definition, "caloric" means a substance which adds calories to the diet of a person who

consumes that substance.

     (5) "Consumer" means a person who purchases a sugary drink for consumption and not

for sale to another.

     (6) "Department of health" means the Rhode Island department of health.

     (7) "Distributor" means any person, including manufacturers and wholesale dealers, who

receives, stores, manufactures, bottles, or distributes bottled sugary drinks, syrups, or powders,

for sale to retailers doing business in the state, whether or not that person also sells such products

to consumers.

LC001819 - Page 3 of 11

     (8) "Division of taxation" means the Rhode Island division of taxation.

     (9) "Fund" means the children's health promotion fund established pursuant to §44-70-8.

     (10) "Milk" means natural liquid milk regardless of animal or plant source or butterfat

content, including natural milk concentrate, whether or not reconstituted, or dehydrated natural

milk, whether or not reconstituted.

     (11) "Natural fruit juice" means the original liquid resulting from the pressing of fruits, or

the liquid resulting from the dilution with water of dehydrated natural fruit juice.

     (12) "Natural vegetable juice" means the original liquid resulting from the pressing of

vegetables, or the liquid resulting from the dilution with water of dehydrated natural vegetable

juice.

     (13) "Noncaloric sweetener" means any noncaloric substance suitable for human

consumption that humans perceive as sweet and includes, without limitation, aspartame,

acesulfame-K, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, and stevia. "Noncaloric sweetener" excludes caloric

sweeteners. For purposes of this definition, "noncaloric" means a substance that contains fewer

than five (5) calories per serving.

     (14) "Person" means any natural person, partnership, cooperative association, limited

liability company, corporation, personal representative, receiver, trustee, assignee, or any other

legal entity.

     (15) "Place of business" means any place where sugary drinks, syrups, or powders are

manufactured or received for sale in the state.

     (16) "Powder" means any solid mixture of ingredients used in making, mixing, or

compounding sugary drinks by mixing the powder with any one or more other ingredients,

including, without limitation water, ice, syrup, simple syrup, fruits, vegetables, fruit juice,

vegetable juice, carbonation, or other gas.

     (17) "Retailer" means any person who sells or otherwise dispenses in the state a sugary

drink to a consumer whether or not that person is also a distributor as defined in this section.

     (18) "Sale" means the transfer of title or possession for valuable consideration regardless

of the manner by which the transfer is completed.

     (19) "Sugary drink" means any nonalcoholic beverage, carbonated or noncarbonated,

which is intended for human consumption and contains any added caloric sweetener. As used in

this definition, "nonalcoholic beverage" means any beverage that contains less than one-half of

one percent (.5%) alcohol per volume.

     (20) "Syrup" means a liquid mixture of ingredients used in making, mixing, or

compounding sugary drinks using one or more other ingredients including, without limitation,

LC001819 - Page 4 of 11

water, ice, a powder, simple syrup, fruits, vegetables, fruit juice, vegetable juice, carbonation, or

other gas.

     (21) "Tax administrator" means the tax administrator of the Rhode Island division of

taxation or authorized agents and employees.

     (22) "Water" means plain (nonflavored) or flavored with "natural fruit essence" (with no

calories), or "natural flavor". The source of the water may be: artesian, mineral, spring, or well.

The type may also include, carbonated (sparkling, club, seltzer), still, distilled, or purified

(distilled, demineralized, deionized, reverse osmosis).

     44-70-4. License Required.

     (a) Every distributor doing business in this state shall file with the division of taxation an

application for a license to engage in a business under this chapter, for each place of business

owned and operated by the distributor before the sooner of January 1, 2020 or a distributor's first

acts which constitute the doing of business in the state. An application for a license shall be filed

on forms to be furnished by the division of taxation for that purpose. An application must be

subscribed and sworn to by a person with legal authority to bind the business. The application

shall identify the owners of the applicant, the applicant's mailing address, the place of business to

which the license shall apply, and the nature of the business in which engaged, and any other

information the division of taxation may require for the enforcement of this chapter.

     (b) Upon receipt of an application and any license fee hereafter provided for, the division

of taxation may issue to the applicant, for the place of business designated, a nonassignable

license, authorizing the sale of sugary drinks, syrups, and powders in the state. No distributor

shall sell any sugary drink, syrup or powder without first obtaining a license to do so under this

chapter. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall expire on January 31 of each year and may

be renewed annually.

     (c) A license cannot be transferred, and shall at all times be prominently displayed in a

distributor’s place of business. The division of taxation may refuse to issue a license to any

person previously convicted of violations of this chapter under such procedures as the division of

taxation may establish by regulation.

     44-70-5. Tax Imposed.

     (a) There is hereby imposed an excise tax on every distributor for the privilege of selling

the products governed by this chapter in the state.

     (1) The tax shall be calculated using the following tiered system.

     (i) Tier 1: Beverages with less than five grams (5g) of sugar per twelve fluid ounces (12

fl. oz.) will not be taxed.

LC001819 - Page 5 of 11

     (ii) Tier 2: Beverages with more than five grams (5g) but less than twenty grams (20g) of

sugar per twelve fluid ounces (12 fl. oz.) will be taxed at a rate of one cent ($0.01) per ounce.

     (iii) Tier 3: Beverages with twenty grams (20g) of sugar or more per twelve fluid ounces

(12 fl. oz.) will be taxed at a rate of two cents ($0.02) per ounce.

     (2) Syrups and powders sold or offered for sale to a retailer for sale in the state to a

consumer, either as syrup or powder or as a sugary drink derived from that syrup or powder, are

taxable.

     (i) Syrups and powders shall be taxed using the following tiered system.

     (A) Tier 1: If the beverages made from the syrup or powder have less than five grams

(5g) of sugar per twelve fluid ounces (12 fl. oz.), the syrup or powder will not be taxed.

     (B) Tier 2: If the beverages made from the syrup or powder have more than five grams

(5g) but less than twenty grams (20g) of sugar per twelve fluid ounces (12 fl. oz.), the syrup or

powder will be taxed at a rate equal to one cent ($0.01) per ounce for each gallon of sugary drink

produced from that syrup or powder.

     (C) Tier 3: If the beverages made from the syrup or powder have twenty grams (20g) of

sugar or more per twelve fluid ounces (12 fl. oz.), the syrup or powder will be taxed at a rate

equal to two cents ($0.02) per ounce for each gallon of sugary drink produced from that syrup or

powder.

     (ii) For purposes of calculating the tax, the volume of sugary drinks produced from

syrups or powders shall be the larger of:

     (A) The largest volume resulting from use of the syrups or powders according to any

manufacturer’s instructions; or

     (B) The volume actually produced by the retailer, as reasonably determined by the tax

administrator.

     (3) The tax amounts set forth in this section shall be adjusted annually by the tax

administrator in proportion with the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for

All Items for the Northeast Region Statistical Area as reported by the United States Bureau of

Labor Statistics or any successor to that index.

     (4) Manufacturers, bottlers, wholesalers, or distributors shall add the amount of the tax

imposed by this section to the retail price of sugary drinks.

     (b) A retailer who sells bottled sugary drinks, syrups, or powders in the state to a

consumer, on which the tax imposed by this section has not been paid by a distributor, is liable

for the tax imposed in subsection (a) of this section at the point of sale to a consumer.

     (c) The taxes imposed by this section are in addition to any other taxes that may apply to

LC001819 - Page 6 of 11

persons or products subject to this chapter.

     44-70-6. Report of sales and tax remittances.

     Any distributor or retailer liable for the tax imposed by this chapter shall, on or before the

twentieth day of every month, return to the tax administrator under oath of a person with legal

authority to bind the distributor or retailer, a statement containing their name and place of

business, the quantity of sugary drinks, syrups, and powders subject to the excise tax imposed by

this chapter sold or offered for sale in the preceding month, and any other information required by

the tax administrator, along with the tax due.

     44-70-7. Records of Distributors.

     Every distributor, and every retailer subject to this chapter, shall maintain for not less

than two (2) years accurate records, showing all transactions that gave rise, or may have given

rise, to tax liability under this chapter. All records are subject to inspection by the tax

administrator at all reasonable times during normal business hours.

     44-70-8. Establishment of the Children's Health Promotion Fund.

     There shall be established and set up a separate fund to be known as the children's health

promotion fund. The department of health shall administer the fund. The fund shall consist of

revenues from the state generated by the tax imposed by chapter 70 of title 44. The fund shall be

expended first for the implementation, administration, enforcement and evaluation of chapter 70

of title 44. Unexpended balances shall be allocated in a proportion to be determined by the

director of the department of health in consultation with other agency heads. Qualifying programs

and initiatives funded under chapter 70 of title 44 shall include, but not be limited to:

     (1) Investments in biking, walking and outdoor recreation;

     (2) Investments in safe routes to schools;

     (3) Efforts to promote more frequent, effective physical education in schools;

     (4) Initiatives that promote access to healthy foods, especially in underserved

communities;

     (5) Programs that significantly increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP) benefits when used to purchase fruits and vegetables;

     (6) Initiatives that promote good nutrition, physical activity, and limited screen time in

early childcare settings and out-of-school programs;

     (7) Efforts to promote and achieve health equity;

     (8) Programs that help children achieve a healthy weight;

     (9) Development and promotion of materials that educate children, families and citizens

about the health effects of consuming sugary drinks and promote the consumption of tap water;

LC001819 - Page 7 of 11

     (10) Other evidence-based methods of improving children's health and wellness in areas

including, but not limited to, nutrition, physical activity, access to health care and oral care.

     44-70-9. Exemptions.

     The following shall be exempt from the tax imposed by this chapter:

     (1) Bottled sugary drinks, syrups, and powders sold to the United States government and

American Indian Tribal governments;

     (2) Bottled sugary drinks, syrups, and powders sold by a distributor to another distributor

that holds a license issued pursuant to chapter, if the sales invoice clearly indicates that the sale is

exempt. If the sale is to a person who is both a distributor and a retailer, the sale shall also be tax

exempt and the tax shall be paid when the purchasing distributor/retailer resells the product to a

retailer or a consumer. This exemption does not apply to any other sale to a retailer;

     (3) Beverages sweetened solely with noncaloric sweeteners;

     (4) Beverages consisting of one hundred percent (100%) natural fruit or vegetable juice

with no added caloric sweetener;

     (5) Beverages in which milk, soy, rice, or similar milk substitute, is the primary

ingredient or the first listed ingredient on the label of the beverage;

     (6) Coffee or tea without added caloric sweetener;

     (7) Infant formula;

     (8) Beverages for medical use;

     (9) Water without any caloric sweeteners.

     44-70-10. Penalties.

     (a) Any person subject to the provisions of this chapter who fails to pay the entire amount

of tax imposed by this chapter by the date that payment is due, fails to submit a report or maintain

records required by this chapter, or violates any other provision of this chapter, or rules and

regulations promulgated by the division of taxation for the enforcement of this chapter, shall be

guilty of a misdemeanor and shall also be liable for the amount of the tax that may be due and a

penalty equal to fifty percent (50%) of the tax due. The division of taxation, or its duly authorized

representative, may determine the amount due in the event of any payment or underpayment that

may come to its attention and demand payment of all such taxes and penalties. Interest shall

accrue on non- or under-payment of tax at a rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from the

date the tax was due until paid. For good reason shown the division of taxation may waive all or

any part of the penalties imposed, but shall have no power to waive interest.

     (b) All administrative provisions of chapter 18 of title 44 including those which provide

for the apportionment of economic activity between that within the tax jurisdiction of the state

LC001819 - Page 8 of 11

and such activity outside that jurisdiction, which fix damages, penalties and interest for

nonpayment of taxes and for noncompliance with the provisions of said chapter, and all other

requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayers, shall apply to all persons liable for taxes under

the provisions of this chapter, and the division of taxation shall exercise all the power and

authority and perform all the duties with respect to taxpayers under this chapter as are provided in

chapter 18 of title 44, except in the event of a conflict, and then the provisions of this chapter

shall control.

     44-70-11. Unpaid Taxes a Debt.

     All taxes and penalties imposed under the provisions of this chapter remaining due and

unpaid shall constitute a debt to the state, which may be collected from the person owing same by

suit or otherwise.

     44-70-12. Records of the division of taxation.

     At the end of each month, the state auditor shall carefully check the books and records of

the tax administrator and their accounts with any bank or banks, and shall verify the amounts

collected pursuant to this chapter and paid into the children's health promotion fund. Any duty

herein required of the state auditor may be performed by any duly trained clerk in that office,

designated by the state auditor for that purpose.

     44-70-13. Exercise of Powers and Duties.

     Whenever in this chapter any reference is made to any power or duty of the tax

administrator the reference is construed to mean that the power or duty shall be exercised by the

tax administrator, under the supervision and direction of the director of revenue.

     44-70-14. Rules and Regulations.

     The tax administrator is hereby empowered to make such rules and regulations, and

provide such procedural measures, in cooperation with the state auditor, as may be reasonably

necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

     44-70-15. Severability.

     If any provision of this chapter, any rule or regulation made under this chapter, or the

application of this chapter to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of

competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule, or regulation, and the application of the

provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. The invalidity of any section or

sections or parts of any section of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the

chapter.

LC001819 - Page 9 of 11

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.

========

LC001819

========

LC001819 - Page 10 of 11

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TAXATION - SUGARY DRINKS

***

     This act would create a tax on sugary drinks with the intent of discouraging excessive

consumption of those beverages and would create a dedicated revenue source for programs

designed to benefit public health in addition to the ultimate goal of reducing the health and

economic costs of obesity in the state.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2020.

========

LC001819

========

LC001819 - Page 11 of 11