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Oklahoma Tax on Tobacco, Fuel, and Low-point Beer Measure (2018)
| Oklahoma Tax on Tobacco, Fuel, and Low-point Beer Measure (2018) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 6, 2018 | |
| Topic Taxes | |
| Status Not on the ballot | |
| Type State statute | Origin State legislature |
The Oklahoma Tax on Tobacco, Fuel, and Low-point Beer Measure was not put on the ballot in Oklahoma as a legislatively referred state statute on November 6, 2018.
The measure would have established new taxes on cigarettes, little cigars, chewing tobacco, fuel, low-point beer, and oil or gas produced from new wells.[1]
Measure design
The measure was designed to establish a new tax on cigarettes equal to $1.50 for a standard package of 20 cigarettes. The measure would have also established a new 10 percent tax on chewing tobacco and modify the tax on little cigars by requiring them to be taxed at the same rate as cigarettes. Revenue from the new taxes on cigarettes and chewing tobacco earned prior to July 1, 2018, would have gone to the General Revenue Fund. After July 1, 2018, revenue from the new taxes would have gone to a newly created Health Care Enhancement Fund.[1]
The measure would have also created a new tax on gasoline and diesel fuel equal to $.06 per gallon. Revenue raised by the new tax prior to July 1, 2018, would have gone to the General Revenue Fund. After July 1, 2018, revenue raised by the new tax would have gone to the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety (ROADS) Fund.[1]
Additionally, the measure would have required low-point beer to be taxed at the same rate as mixed beverages, 13.5 percent. Low-point beer was defined as beverages containing more than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume and not more than 3.2 percent alcohol by weight. This included, but was not limited to, beer or cereal malt beverages obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion of barley or other grain, malt or similar products.[1]
The measure would also have required oil or gas produced from a well on or after the effective date of the measure to be taxed at a 4 percent rate for the first 36 months of production.[1]
Text of measure
The full text of HB 1054X can be viewed here.
Path to the ballot
House Bill 1054X was introduced in the House by Representatives Dennis Casey and Kevin Wallace in September 2017.
In Oklahoma, bills that raise revenue must originate in the House. Additionally, if revenue-raising bills pass both the House and Senate with less than three-fourths (3/4) approval in each chamber, they must be referred to the ballot at the next general election to be voted on by Oklahoma citizens. HB 1054X passed the House on November 8, 2017, with 71 "aye" votes and 27 "nay" votes. This was less than the 76 votes required for the bill to meet the three-fourths approval requirement in the House. This means that, if the bill is considered and passed by the Oklahoma Senate, it could have been referred to the ballot as a legislatively referred state statute at the next general election.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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