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An Act To Authorize Limited Disclosure of Cigarette Sales Information To Ensure Continued Receipt of Tobacco Settlement Funds
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §1580-L, sub-§10, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 439, §1, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
10.  Disclosure of information.     Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services is authorized to disclose to the Attorney General any tax information received by the Bureau of Revenue Services and requested by the Attorney General for purposes of determining compliance with and enforcing the provisions of this section. The Attorney General may share any information received under this section, other than information received from the Bureau of Revenue Services, with:
 
A.  Federal, state or local agencies but only for purposes of enforcement of this section, subchapter 3 or corresponding laws of other states; and
 
B.  Courts, arbitrators, data clearinghouses or similar entities for the purpose of assessing compliance with, resolving disputes arising under or making calculations required by the Master Settlement Agreement or agreements resolving disputes arising under the Master Settlement Agreement, and with counsel for the parties or expert witnesses in any such proceeding, if the information otherwise remains confidential.
 
The Attorney General shall provide notice to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services of those persons certified under this section.
 
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes the Attorney General to share information received under the laws governing tobacco product manufacturers, other than information received from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of Revenue Services, with courts, arbitrators, data clearinghouses or similar entities for the purpose of assessing compliance with, resolving disputes arising under or making calculations required by the Master Settlement Agreement or agreements resolving disputes arising under the Master Settlement Agreement, and with counsel for the parties or expert witnesses in any such proceeding, if the information otherwise remains confidential.