Committee hears plans to press Attorney General on enforcement, counterfeit vapes and possible funding

Members of the Legislative Finance Committee pressed for stronger enforcement of non-sales-to-minors rules and for steps to curb counterfeit vape products and youth uptake.

"If the Attorney General's office is doing something, there's maybe something we can do to assist them," the chair said, describing planned coordination and the committee's interest in increasing enforcement funding.

Vice Chair Joanne Ferrari criticized small existing fines and inconsistent enforcement, saying some prevention and youth programs are underfunded and suggesting the committee consider asking for additional enforcement resources in the budget process. "One of the things we may want to talk to the Attorney General's department about is do we want to increase the fine to actually have people think twice about selling without clearly identifying the age," she said.

Members noted that retail licensing and routine enforcement is handled by the Department of Regulation and Licensing (RLD) and assisted by state and local law enforcement for compliance checks; several members described the current system as ad hoc. They expressed concern about counterfeit vapes from foreign sources that can evade registration and enforcement.

Representative Ramos raised a related question about cannabis regulation and enforcement overlap; senators and representatives clarified that cannabis licensing and retail limits are the purview of RLD and law enforcement, not this committee, although health impacts may warrant discussion in health-focused interim committees.

The committee paused to receive the Attorney General's office; a motion was made to enter executive session for a matter described as germane to the topic and to hear the Attorney General's report.

(Provenance: topicintro SEG 511; topfinish SEG 907)