Senate Bill 1704*-Second Edition

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

S 2

SENATE BILL 1704*

Finance Committee Substitute Adopted 6/4/08

Short Title: Rev Laws Tech., Clarifying, & Admin Changes.		(Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:

May 21, 2008

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to make technical, clarifying, and administrative changes to the tax and related laws.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

911 technical changes

SECTION 1.(a) Notwithstanding G.S. 62A‑45(c), if the amount of reimbursements to CMRS providers for a fiscal year is less than the amount of funds allocated for that purpose for that fiscal year and the amount of funds allocated under G.S. 62A‑44(b)(2) for that fiscal year for monthly distributions to PSAPs is insufficient to give each PSAP its base amount under G.S. 62A‑46(a), the 911 Board may reallocate part or all of the excess CMRS reimbursement funds to the PSAP allocation to give each PSAP as much of its base amount as possible. The definitions in G.S. 62A‑40 apply to this section.

SECTION 1.(b) G.S. 62A‑46(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b) Percentage Designations. – The 911 Board must determine how revenue that is allocated to the 911 Fund for distribution to primary PSAPs and is not needed to make the base amount distribution required by subdivision (a)(1) of this section is to be used. The 911 Board must designate a percentage of the remaining funds to be distributed to primary PSAPs on a per capita basis and a percentage to be allocated to the PSAP Grant Account established in G.S. 62A‑47. If the 911 Board does not designate an amount to be allocated to the PSAP Grant Account, the 911 Board must distribute all of the remaining funds on a per capita basis. The 911 Board may not change the percentage designation more than once each ~~calendar~~ fiscal year."

SECTION 1.(c) G.S. 62A‑46 is amended by adding a new section to read:

"(f) Application to Cherokees. – The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is an eligible PSAP. The Tribal Council of the Eastern Band is the local governing entity of the Eastern Band for purposes of this section. The Tribal Council must give the 911 Board information adequate to determine the Eastern Band's base amount. The 911 Board must use the most recent federal census estimate of the population living on the Qualla Boundary to determine the per capita distribution amount."

SECTION 1.(d) This section is effective when it becomes law. Subsection (a) of this section expires October 1, 2009. Subsection (c) of this section applies to distributions for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year and subsequent fiscal years.

work opportunity tax credit changes

SECTION 2.(a) G.S. 105‑129.16G reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑129.16G. Work Opportunity Tax Credit.

(a) Credit. – A taxpayer who is allowed a federal tax credit under Part IV, Subpart F of the Code for the taxable year is allowed a credit against the tax imposed by this Part. The credit is equal to six percent (6%) of the amount of credit allowed under the ~~Code.~~Code for wages paid during the taxable year for positions located in this State. A position is located in this State if more than fifty percent (50%) of the employee's duties are performed in the State.

(b) Sunset. – This section expires for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012."

SECTION 2.(b) G.S. 105‑130.5(b)(11) reads as rewritten:

"(b) The following deductions from federal taxable income shall be made in determining State net income:

…

(11) If a deduction for an ordinary and necessary business expense was required to be reduced or was not allowed under the Code because the corporation claimed a federal tax credit against its federal income tax liability for the income year in lieu of a deduction, the amount by which the deduction was reduced and the amount of the deduction that was disallowed. This deduction is allowed only to the extent that a similar credit is not allowed by this Chapter for the amount."

SECTION 2.(c) G.S. 105‑134.6(d)(2) reads as rewritten:

"(2) The taxpayer may deduct the amount by which the taxpayer's deductions allowed under the Code were reduced, and the amount of the taxpayer's deductions that were not allowed, because the taxpayer elected a federal tax credit in lieu of a deduction. This deduction is allowed only to the extent that a similar credit is not allowed by this ~~Part~~ Chapter for the amount."

SECTION 2.(d) Subsection (a) of this section is effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law.

reform tax appeals changes

SECTION 3.(a) Section 10 of S.L. 2007‑491 is repealed.

SECTION 3.(b) G.S. 105‑122(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) An annual franchise or privilege tax is imposed on a corporation doing business in this State. The tax is determined on the basis of the books and records of the corporation as of the close of its income year. A corporation subject to the tax must file a return under affirmation with the Secretary at the place and in the manner prescribed by the Secretary. The return must be signed by the president, vice‑president, treasurer, or chief financial officer of the corporation. The return is due on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month following the end of the corporation's income year.Every corporation, domestic and foreign, incorporated, or, by an act, domesticated under the laws of this State or doing business in this State, except as otherwise provided in this Article, shall, on or before the fifteenth day of the third month following the end of its income year, annually make and deliver to the Secretary in the form prescribed by the Secretary a full, accurate, and complete report and statement signed by either its president, vice‑president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, secretary or assistant secretary, containing the facts and information required by the Secretary as shown by the books and records of the corporation at the close of the income year.

~~There shall be annexed to the return required by this subsection the affirmation of the officer signing the return.~~"

SECTION 3.(c) Subsections (a) and (c) of this section are effective January 1, 2008. Subsection (b) of this section is effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009.

SECTION 4.(a) G.S. 105‑130.16(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Return. – Every corporation doing business in this State must file with the Secretary an income tax return showing specifically the items of gross income and the deductions allowed by this Part and any other facts the Secretary requires to make any computation required by this Part. The return of a corporation must be signed by its president, vice‑president, treasurer, ~~assistant treasurer, secretary, or assistant secretary.~~ or chief financial officer. The officer signing the return must furnish an affirmation verifying the return. The affirmation must be in the form required by the Secretary."

SECTION 4.(b) This section is effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2009.

SECTION 5.(a) G.S. 105‑241.11(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Procedure. – A taxpayer who objects to a proposed denial of a refund or a proposed assessment of tax may request a Departmental review of the proposed action by filing a request for review. The request must be filed with the Department ~~within 45 days after the following:~~as follows:

(1) ~~The~~ Within 45 days of the date the notice of the proposed denial of the refund or proposed assessment was mailed to the taxpayer, if the notice was delivered by mail.

(2) ~~The~~ Within 45 days of the date the notice of the proposed denial of the refund or proposed assessment was delivered to the taxpayer, if the notice was delivered in person.

(3) ~~The date that~~ At any time between the date that inaction by the Department on a request for refund ~~was~~ is considered a proposed denial of the ~~refund.~~refund and the date the time periods set in the other subdivisions of this subsection expire."

SECTION 5.(b) This section is effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008.

SECTION 6.(a) G.S. 105‑241.14(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) Time Limit. – The process set out in G.S. 105‑241.13 for reviewing and attempting to resolve a proposed denial of a refund or a proposed assessment must conclude, and a final determination must be issued within nine months after the date the taxpayer files a request for review. The Department and the taxpayer may extend this time limit by mutual agreement. Failure to issue a notice of final determination within the required time does not affect the validity of a proposed denial of a refund or proposed assessment."

SECTION 6.(b) This section is effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008.

SECTION 7.(a) G.S. 105‑241.22(1) reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑241.22. Collection of tax.

The Department may collect a tax in the following circumstances:

(1) When a taxpayer files a return showing ~~tax~~ an amount due with the return and does not pay the amount shown due."

SECTION 7.(b) This section is effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008.

SECTION 8. G.S. 105‑449.52(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b) ~~Hearing.~~ Review. – The procedure set out in G.S. 105‑449.119 for ~~protesting~~ reviewing a penalty imposed under Article 36C, Part 6, of this Chapter applies to a penalty imposed under this section."

SECTION 9. G.S. 150B‑31.1(d) reads as rewritten:

"(d) ~~Law Enforcement~~ Reports. – ~~A report of a law enforcement agency is~~ The following agency reports are admissible without testimony from personnel of the ~~law enforcement agency.~~agency:

(1) Law enforcement reports.

(2) Government agency lab reports used for the enforcement of motor fuel tax laws."

collection changes

SECTION 10.(a) G.S. 105‑253 is recodified as G.S. 105‑242.2 and reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑242.2. Personal liability when certain taxes not ~~remitted.~~paid.

(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Business entity. – A corporation, a limited liability company, or a partnership.

(2) Responsible person. – Any of the following:

a. The president, treasurer, or chief financial officer of a corporation.

b. A manager of a limited liability company or a partnership.

c. An officer of a corporation, a member of a limited liability company, or a partner in a partnership who has a duty to deduct, account for, or pay taxes listed in subsection (b) of this section.

d. A partner who is liable for the debts and obligations of a partnership under G.S. 59‑45 or G.S. 59‑403.

Any officer, trustee, or receiver of any corporation or limited liability company required to file a report with the Secretary who has custody of funds of the corporation or company and who allows the funds to be paid out or distributed to the stockholders of the corporation or to the members of the company without having remitted to the Secretary any State taxes that are due is personally liable for the payment of the tax.

(b) Responsible Person. – Each responsible ~~officer~~ person in a business entity is personally and individually liable for all of the ~~following:~~taxes listed in this subsection. If a business entity does not pay a tax it owes after the tax becomes collectible under G.S. 105‑241.22, the Secretary may enforce the responsible person's liability for the tax by sending the responsible person a notice of proposed assessment in accordance with G.S. 105‑241.9. The taxes for which a responsible person may be held personally and individually liable are:

(1) All sales and use taxes collected by ~~a corporation or a limited liability company~~ the business entity upon its taxable transactions.

(2) All sales and use taxes due upon taxable transactions of ~~a corporation or a limited liability company~~ the business entity but upon which it failed to collect the tax, but only if the person knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known, that the tax was not being collected.

(3) All taxes due from ~~a corporation or a limited liability company~~ the business entity pursuant to the provisions of Articles 36C and 36D of Subchapter V of this Chapter and all taxes payable under those Articles by it to a supplier for remittance to this State or another state.

(4) All income taxes required to be withheld from the wages of employees of ~~a corporation or a limited liability company.~~the business entity.

The liability of the responsible officer is satisfied upon timely remittance of the tax by the corporation or the limited liability company. If the tax remains unpaid after it is due and payable, the Secretary may proceed to enforce the responsible officer's liability for the tax by sending the responsible officer a notice of proposed assessment in accordance with G.S. 105‑241.9. As used in this section, the term "responsible officer" means the president, treasurer, and chief financial officer of a corporation, the manager of a limited liability company, and any other officer of a corporation or member of a limited liability company who has a duty to deduct, account for, or pay taxes listed in this subsection. Any penalties that may be imposed under G.S. 105‑236 and that apply to a deficiency also apply to an assessment made under this section.

The period of limitations for assessing a responsible officer for unpaid taxes under this section expires one year after the expiration of the period of limitations for assessment against the corporation or limited liability company.

(d) Distributions. – An officer, partner, trustee, or receiver of a business entity required to file a report with the Secretary who has custody of funds of the entity and who allows the funds to be paid out or distributed to the owners of the entity without having remitted to the Secretary any State taxes that are due is personally liable for the payment of the tax. The Secretary may enforce an individual's liability under this subsection by sending the individual a notice of proposed assessment in accordance with G.S. 105‑241.9.

(e) Statute of Limitations. – The period of limitations for assessing a responsible person for unpaid taxes under this section expires one year after the expiration of the period of limitations for assessing the business entity."

SECTION 10.(b) This section becomes effective July 1, 2008, and applies to taxes that become collectible on or after that date.

sales tax changes

SECTION 11. G.S. 105‑164.16 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

"(e) Simultaneous State and Local Changes. – When State and local sales and use tax rates change on the same date because one increases and the other decreases but the combined general rate does not change, sales and use taxes payable on the gross receipts from the following periodic payments are reportable in accordance with the changed State and local rates:

(1) Lease or rental payments billed after the effective date of the changes.

(2) Installment sale payments received after the effective date of the changes by a taxpayer who reports the installment sale on a cash basis."

occupancy tax changes

SECTION 12.(a) Article 9 of Chapter 105 is amended by adding a new section to read:

"§ 105‑264.1. Secretary's interpretation applies to local taxes that are based on State taxes.

An interpretation by the Secretary of a law administered by the Secretary applies to a local law administered by a unit of local government when the local law refers to the State law to determine the application of the local law. A person who is subject to the local law or the unit of local government that administers the local law may ask the Secretary for an interpretation of the State law that determines the application of the local law. An interpretation by the Secretary of a State law that determines the application of a local law provides the same protections against liability under the local law that it provides under the State law."

SECTION 12.(b) G.S. 153A‑155(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) Collection. – Every operator of a business subject to a room occupancy tax shall, on and after the effective date of the levy of the tax, collect the tax. The tax shall be collected as part of the charge for furnishing a taxable accommodation. If a taxable accommodation is furnished as part of a package, the bundled transaction provisions in G.S. 105‑164.4D apply in determining the sales price of the taxable accommodation. If those provisions do not address the type of package offered, the operator may determine an allocated price for each item in the package based on a reasonable allocation of revenue that is supported by the operator's business records kept in the ordinary course of business and collect tax on the allocated price of the taxable accommodation.~~The~~

The tax shall be stated and charged separately from the sales records and shall be paid by the purchaser to the operator of the business as trustee for and on account of the taxing county. The tax shall be added to the sales price and shall be passed on to the purchaser instead of being borne by the operator of the business. ~~The~~

The taxing county shall design, print, and furnish to all appropriate businesses and persons in the county the necessary forms for filing returns and instructions to ensure the full collection of the tax. An operator of a business who collects a room occupancy tax may deduct from the amount remitted to the taxing county a discount equal to the discount the State allows the operator for State sales and use tax."

SECTION 12.(c) G.S. 160A‑215(c) reads as rewritten:

The tax shall be stated and charged separately from the sales records and shall be paid by the purchaser to the operator of the business as trustee for and on account of the taxing city. The tax shall be added to the sales price and shall be passed on to the purchaser instead of being borne by the operator of the business. ~~The~~

The taxing city shall design, print, and furnish to all appropriate businesses and persons in the city the necessary forms for filing returns and instructions to ensure the full collection of the tax. An operator of a business who collects a room occupancy tax may deduct from the amount remitted to the taxing city a discount equal to the discount the State allows the operator for State sales and use tax."

medicaid technical changes

SECTION 13.(a) G.S. 105‑502 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑502. Use of additional tax revenue by counties.

(a) Restriction. – ~~Sixty percent (60%) of the revenue received by a county under this Article during~~ For the first 25 fiscal years in which ~~the tax is in effect may be used by the~~ taxes levied under this Article by a county are in effect, the county ~~only~~ must use sixty percent (60%) of the amount of revenue specified in this subsection for public school capital outlay purposes as defined in G.S. 115C‑426(f) or to retire any indebtedness incurred by the county for these purposes during the period beginning five years prior to the date the taxes took ~~effect.~~effect:

(1) The amount of revenue the county receives under this Article.

(2) If the amount allocated to the county under G.S. 105‑486 is greater than the amount allocated to the county under G.S. 105‑501(a), the difference between the two amounts.

(b) Exception. – The Local Government Commission may, upon petition by a county, authorize a county to use part or all of ~~its tax~~ the revenue, otherwise required by subsection (a) to be used for public school capital outlay purposes, for any lawful purpose. The petition ~~shall~~ must be in the form of a resolution adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and transmitted to the Local Government Commission. The petition ~~shall~~ must demonstrate that the county can provide for its public school capital needs without restricting the use of part or all of the ~~designated amount of the additional one‑half percent (1/2%) sales and use tax~~ specified revenue for these purposes.

In making its decision, the Local Government Commission ~~shall~~ must consider information in the petition concerning not only the public school capital needs but also the other capital needs of the petitioning county. The Commission may consider information from sources other than the petition. The Commission ~~shall~~ must issue a written decision on each petition stating the findings of the Commission concerning the public school capital needs of the petitioning county and the percentage of revenue otherwise restricted by subsection (a) that may be used by the petitioning county for any lawful purpose.

Decisions of the Commission allowing counties to use a percentage of ~~their tax~~ the revenue that would otherwise be restricted under subsection (a) for any lawful purpose are final and ~~shall~~ continue in effect until the restrictions ~~imposed by those subsections~~ expire. A county whose petition is denied, in whole or in part, by the Commission may subsequently submit a new petition to the Commission.

(c) Reserve Fund. – A county may expend part or all of the revenue restricted for public school capital needs pursuant to subsection (a) in the fiscal year in which the revenue is received, or the county may place part or all of this revenue in a capital reserve ~~fund and shall~~ fund. A county must specifically identify ~~this~~ revenue placed in a reserve fund in accordance with Chapter 159 of the General Statutes.

(d) Taxes in Effect. – For purposes of this section in determining the number of fiscal years in which one‑half percent ( 1/2%) sales and use taxes levied under this Article have been in effect in a county, these taxes are considered to be in effect only from the effective date of the levy of these taxes and are considered to be in effect for a full fiscal year during the first year in which these taxes were in effect, regardless of the number of months in that year in which the taxes were actually in effect."

SECTION 13.(b) This section becomes effective October 1, 2009, and applies to distributions for months beginning on or after that date.

SECTION 14.(a) G.S. 105‑522, as enacted by Section 31.16.3(f) of S.L. 2007‑323, reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑522. City hold harmless for repealed local taxes.

(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) Eligible municipality. – A municipality that was incorporated on or before October 1, 2008, and receives a distribution of sales and use taxes under G.S. 105‑472.

(2) Hold harmless amount. – Fifty percent (50%) of the amount of sales and use tax revenue distributed under Article 40 of this Chapter to the municipality for a month, other than revenue from the sale of food that is subject to local tax but is exempt from State tax under G.S. 105‑164.13B.allocated under G.S. 105‑486 for distribution to a municipality.

(b) Requirement. – A county is required to hold the eligible municipalities in the county harmless from the repeal of the local sales and use taxes formerly imposed under this Article. The Secretary must add an eligible municipality's hold harmless amount to the amount ~~distributed to the~~ otherwise allocated to the municipality for distribution under this Subchapter. To obtain the revenue for the hold harmless distribution, the Secretary must reduce ~~each county's monthly allocation under G.S. 105‑472(b)~~ the amount otherwise allocated to a county for distribution under Article 39 of this Subchapter or under Chapter 1096 of the 1967 Session Laws by the hold harmless amounts for the municipalities in that county."

SECTION 14.(b) Section 31.16.3(d) of S.L. 2007‑323 is repealed.

SECTION 14.(c) Section 31.16.3(e) of S.L. 2007‑323 is repealed.

SECTION 14.(d) Subsection (a) of this section becomes effective October 1, 2008, and applies to distributions for months beginning on or after that date. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law.

SECTION 15.(a) G.S. 105‑523 , as enacted by Section 31.16.3(f) of S.L. 2007‑323, reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑523. County hold harmless for repealed local taxes.

(a) Intent. – It is the intent of the General Assembly that each county benefit by at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) annually from the exchange of a portion of the local sales and use taxes for the State's agreement to assume the responsibility for the non‑administrative costs of Medicaid.

(b) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this section:

(1) City hold harmless amount. – The hold harmless amount determined under G.S. 105‑522 for the eligible municipalities in a county.

~~(1)~~(2) Hold harmless threshold. – The amount of a county's Medicaid service costs and Medicare Part D clawback payments assumed by the State under G.S. 108A‑54 for the fiscal year, less five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).

~~(2)~~(3) Repealed sales tax amount. – Fifty percent (50%) of the amount of sales and use tax revenue ~~distributed to a county under Article 40 of this Chapter, other than revenue from the sale of food that is subject to local tax but is exempt from State tax under G.S. 105‑164.13B.~~ allocated under G.S. 105‑486 for distribution to a county.

(c) Requirement. – If a county's repealed sales tax amount plus its city hold harmless amount for a fiscal year exceeds the county's hold harmless threshold for that fiscal year, the State is required to hold the county harmless for the difference by paying the amount of the difference to the county. The Secretary must withhold from sales and use tax collections under Article 5 of this Chapter the amount needed to make the county hold harmless payments required by this section.

(d) Method. – The Secretary must estimate a county's repealed sales tax ~~amount~~ amount, city hold harmless amount, and hold harmless threshold for a fiscal year to determine if the county is eligible for a hold harmless payment. The Secretary must send to an eligible county with the distribution made under G.S. 105‑472 for March of that year an amount equal to ninety percent (90%) of its estimated hold harmless payment. At the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary must determine ~~the difference between a county's repealed sales tax amount and its~~ each county's hold harmless ~~threshold~~ payment for that year. The Secretary must send by August 15 the remainder of the county's hold harmless payment for the fiscal year that ended on June 30. The Secretary of the Department of Human Resources must give the Secretary of Revenue the data needed to determine a county's hold harmless threshold."

SECTION 15.(b) Section 31.16.3(g) of S.L. 2007‑323 is repealed.

SECTION 15.(c) Section 31.16.4(c) of S.L. 2007‑323 is repealed.

SECTION 15.(d) Section 31.16.4(d) of S.L. 2007‑323 is repealed.

SECTION 15.(e) Section 31.16.4(e) of S.L. 2007‑323 is repealed.

SECTION 15.(f) Section 14.4 of S.L. 2007‑345 is repealed.

SECTION 15.(g) G.S. 105‑522(a)(2), as enacted by Section 31.16.3(f) of S.L. 2007‑323 and amended by Section 14 of this act, reads as rewritten:

"(2) Hold harmless amount. – ~~Fifty percent (50%) of the~~The sum of the following amounts allocated for distribution to a municipality for a month:

a. The amount of sales and use tax revenue allocated under G.S. ~~105‑486 for distribution to a municipality.~~ 105‑486. This calculation determines the effect of repealing a one‑half percent (½%) sales and use tax distributed on a per capita basis.

b. An amount determined by subtracting twenty‑five percent (25%) of the amount of sales and use tax revenue allocated under G.S. 105‑472 or Chapter 1096 of the 1967 Session Laws from fifty percent (50%) of the amount of sales and use tax revenue allocated under G.S. 105‑486. This calculation determines the effect of distributing a one‑quarter percent (.25%) tax on the basis of point of origin instead of on a per capita basis."

SECTION 15.(h) G.S. 105‑523(b)(3), as enacted by Section 31.16.3(f) of S.L. 2007‑323 and as amended by subsection (a) of this section, reads as rewritten:

"(3) Repealed sales tax amount. – ~~Fifty percent (50%) of the~~ The sum of the following amounts allocated for distribution to a county for a month:

a. The amount of sales and use tax revenue allocated under G.S. ~~105‑486 for distribution to a county.~~ 105‑486. This calculation determines the effect of repealing a one‑half percent (½%) sales and use tax distributed on a per capita basis.

SECTION 15.(i) For fiscal year 2008‑2009, the hold harmless amount determined for a municipality under G.S. 105‑522 and the repealed sales tax amount determined for a county under G.S. 105‑523 is reduced by the amount distributed in October, November, and December of 2008 to the municipality or county on a per capita basis under repealed G.S. 105‑520(b).

For fiscal year 2009‑2010, the hold harmless amount determined for a municipality under G.S. 105‑522 and the repealed sales tax amount determined for a county under G.S. 105‑523 is reduced by the amount distributed in October, November, and December of 2009 to the municipality or county on the basis of point of origin under repealed G.S. 105‑520(a).

SECTION 15.(j) Subsection (a) of this section becomes effective October 1, 2008, and applies to distributions for months beginning on or after that date. Subsections (g) and (h) of this section become effective October 1, 2009, and apply to distributions for months beginning on or after that date. The remainder of this section is effective when it becomes law.

MOTOR FUEL tax law changes

SECTION 16. G.S. 105‑449.37 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.37. Definitions; tax liability.

(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) International Fuel Tax Agreement. – The Articles of Agreement adopted by the International Fuel Tax Association, Inc., as amended as of June 1, 2008.

(2) Motor carrier. – A person who operates or causes to be operated on any highway in this State a motor vehicle that is a qualified motor ~~vehicle under the International Fuel Tax Agreement.~~ vehicle. The term does not include the United States, ~~the State,~~ a state, or a political subdivision of ~~the State.~~a state.

~~(1a)~~(3) Motor vehicle. – ~~A motor vehicle as defined in G.S. 105‑164.3 other than special mobile equipment as defined in G.S. 105‑164.3.~~Defined in G.S. 20‑4.01.

~~(2)~~(4) Operations. – ~~Operations of all motor vehicles described in subdivision (1),~~ The movement of a qualified motor vehicle by a motor carrier, whether loaded or empty and whether or not operated for compensation.

~~(2a)~~(5) Person. – Defined in G.S. 105‑228.90.

(6) Qualified motor vehicle. – Defined in the International Fuel Tax Agreement.

~~(3)~~(7) Secretary. – ~~The Secretary of Revenue.~~Defined in G.S. 105‑228.90.

(b) Liability. – A motor carrier who operates on one or more days of a reporting period is liable for the tax imposed by this Article for that reporting period and is entitled to the credits allowed for that reporting period."

SECTION 17. G.S. 105‑449.38 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.38. Tax levied.

A road tax for the privilege of using the streets and highways of this State is imposed upon every motor carrier on the amount of motor fuel or alternative fuel used by the carrier in its operations within this State. The tax shall be at the rate established by the Secretary pursuant to G.S. 105‑449.80 or G.S. 105‑449.136, as appropriate. This tax is in addition to any other taxes imposed on motor ~~carriers~~carriers."

SECTION 18. G.S. 105‑449.44 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.44. How to determine the amount of fuel used in the State; presumption of amount used.

(a) Calculation. – The amount of motor fuel or alternative fuel a motor carrier uses in its operations in this State for a reporting period is the number of miles the motor carrier travels in this State during that period divided by the calculated miles per gallon for the motor carrier for all qualified motor vehicles during that period.

(b) Presumption. – The Secretary must check reports filed under this Article against the weigh station records and other records of the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Transportation and the State Highway Patrol of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety concerning motor carriers to determine if motor carriers that are operating in this State are filing the reports required by this Article. The Department may assess a motor carrier for the amount payable based on the presumed mileage. A motor carrier that does either of the following for a quarter is presumed to have traveled in this State during that quarter the number of miles equal to 10 trips of 450 miles each for each of the motor carrier's vehicles: If the records indicate that a motor carrier operated in this State in a quarter and either did not file a report for that quarter or understated its mileage in this State on a report filed for that quarter by at least twenty‑five percent (25%), the Secretary may assess the motor carrier for an amount based on the motor carrier's presumed operations. The motor carrier is presumed to have mileage in this State equal to 10 trips of 450 miles each for each of the motor carrier's qualified motor vehicles and to have fuel usage of four miles per gallon.

~~(1)~~ ~~Fails to file a report for the quarter and the records of the Division indicate the carrier operated in this State during the quarter.~~

~~(2)~~ ~~Files a report for the quarter that, based on the records of the Division, understates by at least twenty‑five percent (25%) the carrier's mileage in this State for the quarter.~~

(c) Vehicles. – The number of qualified motor vehicles of a motor carrier that is registered under this Article is the number of ~~identification markers~~ sets of decals issued to the carrier. The number of qualified motor vehicles of a carrier that is not registered under this Article is the number of qualified motor vehicles registered by the motor carrier in the carrier's base state under the International Registration Plan."

SECTION 19. G.S. 105‑449.47 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.47. Registration of vehicles.

(a) Requirement. – A motor carrier that is subject to the International Fuel Tax Agreement may not operate or cause to be operated in this State ~~any vehicle listed in the definition of motor vehicle~~ a qualified motor vehicle unless both the motor carrier and ~~the~~ at least one qualified motor vehicle are registered with the motor carrier's base state jurisdiction. A motor carrier that is not subject to the International Fuel Tax Agreement may not operate or cause to be operated in this State ~~any vehicle listed in the definition of motor vehicle~~ a qualified motor vehicle unless both the motor carrier and ~~the~~ at least one qualified motor vehicle are registered with the Secretary for purposes of the tax imposed by this Article. This subsection applies to a motor carrier that operates a recreational vehicle that is considered a qualified motor vehicle.

(a1) Registration and ~~Identification Marker.~~ Decal. – When the Secretary registers a motor carrier, the Secretary must issue a registration card for the motor carrier and ~~at least one~~ ~~identification marker~~ a set of decals for each qualified motor vehicle ~~operated by~~ the motor ~~carrier.~~ carrier registers. A motor carrier must keep records of ~~identification markers~~ decals issued to it and must be able to account for all ~~identification markers~~ decals it receives from the Secretary. Registrations and ~~identification markers~~ decals issued by the Secretary are for a calendar year. All ~~identification markers~~ decals issued by the Secretary remain the property of the State. The Secretary may revoke a registration or ~~an identification marker~~ a decal when a motor carrier fails to comply with this Article or Article 36C or 36D of this Subchapter.

A motor carrier must carry a copy of its registration in each motor vehicle operated by the motor carrier when the vehicle is in this State. A motor vehicle must clearly display ~~an identification marker~~one decal on each side of the vehicle at all times. ~~The identification marker~~ A decal must be affixed to the qualified motor vehicle for which it was issued in the place and manner designated by the authority that issued it.

(b) Exemption. – This section does not apply to the operation of a qualified motor vehicle that is registered in another state and is operated temporarily in this State by a public utility, a governmental or cooperative provider of utility services, or a contractor for one of these entities for the purpose of restoring utility services in an emergency outage."

SECTION 20. G.S. 105‑449.47A reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.47A. Reasons why the Secretary can deny an application for a registration and ~~identification marker.~~decals.

The Secretary may refuse to register and issue ~~an identification marker~~ a decal to an applicant that has done any of the following:

(1) Had a registration issued under Chapter 105 or Chapter 119 of the General Statutes cancelled by the Secretary for cause.

(2) Had a registration issued by another jurisdiction, pursuant ~~to G.S. 105‑449.57,~~ the International Fuel Tax Agreement, cancelled for cause.

(3) Been convicted of fraud or misrepresentation.

(4) Been convicted of any other offense that indicates that the applicant may not comply with this Article if registered and issued ~~an identification marker.~~a decal.

(5) Failed to remit payment for a tax debt under Chapter 105 or Chapter 119 of the General Statutes. The term "tax debt" has the same meaning as defined in G.S. 105‑243.1.

(6) Failed to file a return due under Chapter 105 or Chapter 119 of the General Statutes."

SECTION 21. G.S. 105‑449.50 is repealed.

SECTION 22. G.S. 105‑449.51 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.51. Violations declared to be misdemeanors.

Any person who operates or causes to be operated on a highway in this State a qualified motor vehicle that does not carry a registration card as required by this Article, does not properly display ~~an identification marker~~ a decal as required by this Article, or is not registered in accordance with this Article ~~is guilty of~~ commits a Class 3 misdemeanor ~~and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined~~ and is punishable by a fine of two hundred dollars ($200.00). Each day's operation in violation ~~of any provision~~ of this section ~~shall constitute~~ constitutes a separate offense."

SECTION 23. G.S. 105‑449.52 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.52. Civil penalties applicable to motor carriers.

(a) Penalty. – A motor carrier who does any of the following is subject to a civil penalty:

(1) Operates in this State or causes to be operated in this State a qualified motor vehicle that either fails to carry the registration card required by this Article or fails to display ~~an identification marker~~ a decal in accordance with this Article. The amount of the penalty is one hundred dollars ($100.00).

(2) Is unable to account for ~~identification markers~~ a decal the Secretary issues the motor carrier, as required by G.S. 105‑449.47. The amount of the penalty is one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each ~~identification marker~~ decal for which the carrier is unable to ~~account for.~~account.

(3) Displays ~~an identification marker~~ a decal on a qualified motor vehicle operated by a motor carrier that was not issued to the carrier by the Secretary under G.S. 105‑449.47. The amount of the penalty is one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each ~~identification marker~~ decal unlawfully obtained. Both the licensed motor carrier to whom the Secretary issued the ~~identification marker~~ decal and the motor carrier displaying the unlawfully obtained ~~identification marker~~ decal are jointly and severally liable for the penalty under this subdivision.

(a1) Payment. – A penalty imposed under this section is payable to the agency that assessed the penalty. When a qualified motor vehicle is found to be operating without a registration card or ~~an identification marker~~ a decal or with ~~an identification marker~~ a decal the Secretary did not issue for the vehicle, the qualified motor vehicle may not be driven for a purpose other than to park ~~the motor vehicle~~it until the penalty imposed under this section is paid unless the officer that imposes the penalty determines that ~~operation of the motor vehicle~~ operating it will not jeopardize collection of the penalty.

(b) Hearing. – The procedure set out in G.S. 105‑449.119 for protesting a penalty imposed under Article 36C, Part 6, of this Chapter applies to a penalty imposed under this section."

SECTION 24. G.S. 105‑449.60 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.60. Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Additive. – A de minimus amount of product that is added or mixed with motor fuel. Examples of an additive include fuel system detergent, an oxidation inhibitor, gasoline antifreeze, or an octane enhancer.

(2) Aviation gasoline. – Fuel blended or produced specifically for use in an aircraft motor.

~~(1)~~(3) Biodiesel. – Any fuel or mixture of fuels derived in whole or in part from agricultural products or animal fats or wastes from these products or fats.

~~(1a)~~(4) Biodiesel provider. – A person who does any of the following:

a. Produces an average of no more than 500,000 gallons of biodiesel per month during a calendar year. A person who produces more than this amount is a refiner.

b. Imports biodiesel outside the terminal transfer system by means of ~~a marine vessel,~~ a transport truck, a railroad tank car, or a tank wagon.

~~(1b) to (1d)~~ ~~Reserved for future codification purposes.~~

~~(1e)~~(5) Blended fuel. – A mixture composed of gasoline or diesel fuel and another liquid, other than ~~a de minimus amount of a product such as carburetor detergent or oxidation inhibitor,~~ an additive, that can be used as a fuel in a highway vehicle.

~~(2)~~(6) Blender. – A person who produces blended fuel outside the terminal transfer system.

(7) Bonded importer. – A person, other than a supplier, who imports by transport truck or another means of transfer outside the terminal transfer system motor fuel removed from a terminal located in another state in one or more of the following circumstances:

a. The state from which the fuel is imported does not require the seller of the fuel to collect motor fuel tax on the removal of the fuel at that state's rate or the rate of the destination state.

b. The supplier of the fuel is not an elective supplier.

c. The supplier of the fuel is not a permissive supplier.

~~(3)~~(8) ~~Bulk‑end user.~~ Bulk end‑user. – A person who maintains storage facilities for motor fuel and uses part or all of the stored fuel to operate a highway vehicle.

~~(4)~~(9) Bulk plant. – A motor fuel storage and distribution facility that is not a terminal and from which motor fuel may be removed at a rack.

~~(5)~~(10) Code. – Defined in G.S. 105‑228.90.

~~(6)~~(11) Destination state. – The state, territory, or foreign country to which motor fuel is directed for delivery into a storage facility, a receptacle, a container, or a type of transportation equipment for the purpose of resale or use.

~~(7)~~(12) Diesel fuel. – Any liquid, other than gasoline, that is suitable for use as a fuel in a diesel‑powered highway vehicle. The term includes biodiesel, fuel oil, heating oil, high‑sulfur dyed diesel fuel, and kerosene. The term does not include jet ~~fuel sold to a buyer who is certified to purchase jet fuel under the Code.~~fuel.

~~(8)~~(13) Distributor. – A person who ~~acquires motor fuel from a supplier or from another distributor for subsequent sale.~~does one or more of the activities listed in this subdivision. The term does not include a person who sells motor fuel only at retail.

a. Produces, refines, blends, compounds, or manufactures motor fuel.

b. Transports motor fuel into a state or exports motor fuel out of a state.

c. Engages in the distribution of motor fuel primarily by tank car or tank truck or both.

d. Operates a bulk plant where the person has active motor fuel bulk storage.

(14) Diversion. – The movement of motor fuel from a terminal to a state other than the destination state indicated on the original bill of lading.

~~(9)~~(15) Dyed diesel fuel. – Diesel fuel that meets the dyeing and marking requirements ~~of § 4082 of the Code.~~as set out in 26 C.F.R. § 48.4082.1.

~~(10)~~(16) Elective supplier. – A supplier that is required to be licensed in this State and that elects to collect the excise tax due this State on motor fuel that is removed by the supplier at a terminal located in another state and has this State as its destination state.

~~(10a)~~(17) Exempt card or code. – A credit card or an access code that enables the person to whom the card or code is issued to buy motor fuel at retail without paying the motor fuel excise tax on the fuel.

~~(11)~~(18) Export. – To obtain motor fuel in this State for sale or other distribution in another state. In applying this definition, motor fuel delivered out‑of‑state by or for the seller constitutes an export by the seller and motor fuel delivered out‑of‑state by or for the purchaser constitutes an export by the purchaser.

~~(12)~~(19) Fuel alcohol. – Alcohol, methanol, or fuel grade ethanol.

~~(13)~~(20) Fuel alcohol provider. – A person who does any of the following:

a. Produces an average of no more than 500,000 gallons of fuel alcohol per month during a calendar year. A person who produces more than this amount is a refiner.

b. Imports fuel alcohol outside the terminal transfer system by means of ~~a marine vessel,~~ a transport truck, a railroad tank car, or a tank wagon.

~~(14)~~(21) Gasohol. – A blended fuel composed of gasoline and fuel grade ethanol.

~~(15)~~(22) Gasoline. – Any of the following:

a. All products that are commonly or commercially known or sold as gasoline and are suitable for use as a fuel in a highway vehicle, other than products that have an American Society for Testing Materials octane number of less than 75 as determined by the motor method. The term does not include aviation gasoline.

b. A petroleum product component of gasoline, such as naptha, reformate, or toluene.

c. Gasohol.

d. Fuel alcohol.

The term does not include aviation gasoline sold for use in an aircraft motor. "Aviation gasoline" is gasoline that is designed for use in an aircraft motor and is not adapted for use in an ordinary highway vehicle.

~~(16)~~(23) Gross gallons. – The total amount of motor fuel measured in gallons, exclusive of any temperature, pressure, or other adjustments.

~~(17)~~(24) Highway. – Defined in G.S. 20‑4.01(13).

~~(18)~~(25) Highway vehicle. – A self‑propelled vehicle that is designed for use on a highway.

~~(19)~~(26) Import. – To bring motor fuel into this State by any means of conveyance other than in the fuel supply tank of a highway vehicle. In applying this definition, motor fuel delivered into this State from out‑of‑state by or for the seller constitutes an import by the seller, and motor fuel delivered into this State from out‑of‑state by or for the purchaser constitutes an import by the purchaser.

~~(19a)~~(27) ~~In‑State‑only~~ In‑State supplier. – Either of the following:

a. A supplier that is required to have a license and elects not to collect the excise tax due this State on motor fuel that is removed by the supplier at a terminal located in another state and has this State as its destination state.

b. A supplier that does business only in this State.

(28) Jet fuel. – Kerosene that meets all of the following requirements:

a. Has a maximum distillation temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit at the ten percent (10%) recovery point and a final maximum boiling point of 572 degrees Fahrenheit.

b. Meets American Society Testing Materials Specification D 1655 and Military Specifications MIL‑T‑5624P and MIL‑T‑83133D, Grades JP‑5 and JP‑8.

(29) Kerosene. – Petroleum oil that is free from water, glue, and suspended matter and that meets the specifications and standards adopted under G.S. 119‑26 by the Gasoline and Oil Inspection Board.

(30) Marine vessel. – A ship, boat, or other watercraft used or capable of being used to move in or through a waterway.

~~(20)~~(31) Motor fuel. – Gasoline, diesel fuel, and blended fuel.

~~(21)~~(32) Motor fuel rate. – The rate of tax set in G.S. 105‑449.80.

~~(22)~~(33) Motor fuel transporter. – A person who transports motor fuel by ~~pipeline or who transports motor fuel outside the terminal transfer system by means of a~~ pipeline, transport truck, a railroad tank car, or a marine vessel.

~~(23)~~(34) Net gallons. – The amount of motor fuel measured in gallons when corrected to a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and a pressure of 14 7/10 pounds per square inch.

(35) Occasional importer. – One or more of the following that imports motor fuel by any means outside the terminal transfer system:

a. A distributor that imports motor fuel on an average basis of no more than once a month during a calendar year.

b. A bulk end‑user that acquires motor fuel for import from a bulk plant and is not required to be licensed as a bonded importer.

c. A distributor that imports motor fuel for use in a race car.

~~(24)~~(36) Permissive supplier. – An out‑of‑state supplier that elects, but is not required, to have a supplier's license under this Article.

~~(25)~~(37) Person. – Defined in G.S. 105‑228.90.

(38) Pipeline. – A fuel distribution system that moves motor fuel, in bulk, through a pipe either from a refinery to a terminal or from a terminal to another terminal.

~~(26)~~(39) Position holder. – The person who holds the inventory position in on the motor fuel in a terminal, as reflected on the records of the terminal operator. A person holds the inventory position in on the motor fuel when that person has a contract with the terminal operator for the use of storage facilities and terminaling services for fuel at the terminal. The term includes a terminal operator who owns fuel in the terminal.

~~(27)~~(40) Rack. – A mechanism for delivering motor fuel from a refinery, a terminal, or a bulk plant into a transport truck, a railroad tank car, or another means of transfer that is outside the terminal transfer system.

~~(27a)~~(41) Refiner. – A person who owns, operates, or controls a refinery. The term includes a person who produces an average of more than 500,000 gallons of fuel alcohol or biodiesel a month during a calendar year.

~~(27b)~~(42) Refinery. – A facility used to process crude oil, unfinished oils, natural gas liquids, or other hydrocarbons into motor fuel and from which fuel may be removed by pipeline or vessel or at a rack. The term does not include a facility that produces only blended fuel or gasohol.

~~(28)~~(43) Removal. – A physical transfer other than by evaporation, loss, or destruction. A physical transfer to a transport truck or another means of conveyance outside the terminal transfer system is complete upon delivery into the means of conveyance.

~~(29)~~(44) Retailer. – A person who maintains storage facilities for motor fuel and who sells the fuel at retail or dispenses the fuel at a retail location.

~~(30)~~(45) Secretary. – Defined in G.S. 105‑228.90.

~~(31)~~(46) Supplier. – Any of the following:

a. A position holder or a person who receives motor fuel pursuant to a two‑party exchange.

b. A fuel alcohol provider.

c. A biodiesel provider.

d. A refiner.

~~(32)~~(47) System transfer. – Either of the following:

a. A transfer of motor fuel within the terminal transfer system.

b. A transfer, by transport truck or railroad tank car, of fuel grade ethanol.

~~(33)~~(48) Tank wagon. – A truck that is not a transport truck and is designed or used to carry at least 1,000 gallons of motor fuel.

(49) Tank wagon importer. – A person who imports only by means of a tank wagon motor fuel that is removed from a terminal or a bulk plant located in another state.

~~(33a)~~(50) Tax. – An inspection or other excise tax on motor fuel and any other fee or charge imposed on motor fuel on a per‑gallon basis.

~~(34)~~(51) Terminal. – A motor fuel storage and distribution facility that has been assigned a terminal control number by the Internal Revenue Service, is supplied by pipeline or marine vessel, and from which motor ~~fuel~~ fuel, jet fuel, or aviation gasoline may be removed at a rack.

~~(35)~~(52) Terminal operator. – A person who owns, operates, or otherwise controls a terminal.

~~(36)~~(53) Terminal transfer system. – The motor fuel distribution system consisting of refineries, pipelines, marine vessels, and terminals. The term has the same meaning as "bulk transfer/terminal system" under 26 C.F.R. § 48.4081‑1.

~~(37)~~(54) Transmix. – Either of the following:

a. The buffer or interface between two different products in a pipeline shipment.

b. A mix of two different products within a refinery or terminal that results in an off‑grade mixture.

~~(38)~~(55) Transport truck. – A ~~semitrailer~~ tractor trailer ~~combination rig~~ designed or used to transport loads of motor fuel over a highway.

~~(39)~~(56) Trustee. – A person who is licensed as a ~~supplier, an elective supplier, or a permissive~~ supplier and who receives tax payments from and on behalf of a licensed ~~distributor.~~distributor or licensed importer for remittance to the Secretary.

~~(40)~~(57) Two‑party exchange. – A transaction in which motor fuel is transferred from one licensed supplier to another licensed supplier pursuant to an exchange agreement under which the supplier that is the position holder agrees to deliver motor fuel to the other supplier or the other supplier's customer at the rack of the terminal at which the delivering supplier is the position holder.

~~(41)~~(58) User. – A person who owns or operates a licensed highway vehicle that has a registered gross vehicle weight of at least 10,001 pounds and who does not maintain storage facilities for motor fuel."

SECTION 25. G.S. 105‑449.65 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.65. List of persons who must have a license.

(a) License. – A person may not engage in business in this State as any of the following unless the person has a license issued by the Secretary authorizing the person to engage in that business:

(1) A refiner.

(2) A supplier.

(3) A terminal operator.

(4) An importer.

(5) An exporter.

(6) A blender.

(7) A motor fuel ~~transporter.~~transporter who transports motor fuel for hire.

(8) Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑438, s. 20, effective August 10, 1999.

(9) Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑438, s. 21, effective August 10, 1999.

(10) A distributor who purchases motor fuel from an elective or permissive supplier at an out‑of‑state terminal for import into this State.

(b) Multiple Activity. – A person who is engaged in more than one activity for which a license is required must have a separate license for each activity, unless ~~this subsection~~ one of the following subdivisions provides otherwise. A

(1) Supplier. – A person who is licensed as a supplier is considered to have a license as a distributor. A person who is licensed as a supplier and is a biodiesel provider is considered to have a license as a blender.

(2) Importer. – A person who is licensed as an occasional importer or a tank wagon importer is not required to obtain a separate license as a distributor unless the importer is also purchasing motor fuel, at the terminal rack, from an elective or permissive supplier who is authorized to collect and remit the tax to the State.

(3) Distributor. – A person who is licensed as a distributor is not required to obtain a separate license as an importer if the distributor acquires fuel for import only from an elective supplier or a permissive supplier and is not required to obtain a separate license as an exporter. ~~A person who is licensed as a distributor or a blender and who transports fuel is considered to be licensed as a motor fuel transporter.~~"

SECTION 26. G.S. 105‑449.66 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.66. ~~Types of importers; restrictions on who can get a license as an importer.~~Importer licensing.

~~(a)~~ ~~Types. –~~ An applicant for a license as an importer must indicate on the application the type of importer license sought. The types of importers are bonded importer, occasional importer, and tank wagon importer. ~~as follows:~~

~~(1)~~ Bonded importer. – A bonded importer is a person, other than a supplier, who imports, by transport truck or another means of transfer outside the terminal transfer system, motor fuel removed from a terminal located in another state in any of the following circumstances:

a. ~~The state from which the fuel is imported does not require the seller of the fuel to collect motor fuel tax on the removal either at that state's rate or the rate of the destination state.~~

b. ~~The supplier of the fuel is not an elective supplier.~~

c. ~~The supplier of the fuel is not a permissive supplier.~~

~~(2)~~ ~~Occasional importer. – An occasional importer is any of the following that imports motor fuel by any means outside the terminal transfer system:~~

a. ~~A distributor that imports motor fuel on an average basis of no more than once a month during a calendar year.~~

b. ~~A bulk‑end user that acquires motor fuel for import from a bulk plant and is not required to be licensed as a bonded importer.~~

c. ~~A distributor that imports motor fuel for use in a race car.~~

~~(3)~~ ~~Tank wagon importer. – A tank wagon importer is a person who imports, only by means of a tank wagon, motor fuel that is removed from a terminal or a bulk plant located in another state.~~

~~(b)~~ ~~Restrictions. –~~ A person may not be licensed as more than one type of importer. A ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user that imports motor fuel from a terminal of a supplier that is not an elective or a permissive supplier must be licensed as a bonded importer. A ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user that imports motor fuel from a bulk plant and is not required to be licensed as a bonded importer must be licensed as an occasional importer. A ~~bulk‑end user~~bulk end‑user that imports motor fuel only from a terminal of an elective or a permissive supplier is not required to be licensed as an importer."

SECTION 27. G.S. 105‑449.68 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.68. Restrictions on who can get a license as a distributor.

A ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user of motor fuel may not be licensed as a distributor unless the ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user also acquires motor fuel from a supplier or from another distributor for subsequent sale. This restriction does not apply to a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user that was licensed as a distributor on January 1, 1996. If a distributor license held by a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user on January 1, 1996, is subsequently cancelled, the ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user is subject to the restriction set in this section."

SECTION 28. G.S. 105‑449.69(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) Federal Certificate. – An applicant for a license as a refiner, a supplier, a terminal operator, or a ~~blender, or a permissive supplier~~ blender must have a federal Certificate of Registry that is issued under § 4101 of the Code and authorizes the applicant to enter into federal tax‑free transactions in taxable motor fuel in the terminal transfer system. An applicant that is required to have a federal Certificate of Registry must include the registration number of the certificate on the application for a license under this section.

An applicant for a license as an importer, an exporter, or a distributor that has a federal Certificate of Registry issued under § 4101 of the Code must include the registration number of the certificate on the application for a license under this section."

SECTION 29. G.S. 105‑449.70(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Election. – An applicant for a license as a supplier may elect on the application to collect the excise tax due this State on motor fuel that is removed by the supplier at a terminal located in another state and has this State as its destination state. The Secretary must provide for this election on the application form. A supplier that makes the election allowed by this section is an elective supplier. A supplier that does not make the election allowed by this section is an ~~in‑State‑only~~ in‑State supplier.

A supplier that does not make the election on the application for a supplier's license may make the election later by completing an election form provided by the Secretary. A supplier that does not make the election may not act as an elective supplier for motor fuel that is removed at a terminal in another state and has this State as its destination state."

SECTION 30. G.S. 105‑449.74 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.74. Issuance of license.

Upon approval of an application, the Secretary must issue a license to the applicant. A supplier's license must indicate the category of the supplier. An importer's license must indicate the category of the importer. A license holder must maintain and display a copy of the license issued under this Part in a conspicuous place at each place of business of the license holder. A license is not transferable and remains in effect until surrendered or cancelled."

SECTION 31. G.S. 105‑449.75 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.75. License holder must notify the Secretary of discontinuance of business.

A license holder that stops engaging in this State in the business for which the license was issued must give the Secretary written notice of the change and must surrender the license to the Secretary. The notice must give the date the change takes effect and, if the license holder has transferred the business to another by sale or otherwise, the date of the transfer and the name and address of the person to whom the business is transferred.

~~If the~~ The license holder is ~~a supplier,~~ responsible for all taxes for which the ~~supplier~~ license holder is liable under this Article but are not yet ~~due become due on the date of the change.~~due. If the ~~supplier~~ license holder has transferred the business to another and does not give the notice required by this section, the person to whom the ~~supplier~~ license holder has transferred the business is liable for the amount of any tax the ~~supplier~~ license holder owed the State on the date the business was transferred. The liability of the person to whom the business is transferred is limited to the value of the property acquired from the ~~supplier.~~license holder."

SECTION 32. G.S. 105‑449.81 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.81. Excise tax on motor fuel.

An excise tax at the motor fuel rate is imposed on motor fuel that is:

(1) Removed from a refinery or a terminal and, upon removal, is subject to the federal excise tax imposed by § 4081 of the Code.

(2) Imported by a system transfer to a refinery or a terminal and, upon importation, is subject to the federal excise tax imposed by § 4081 of the Code.

(3) Imported by a means of transfer outside the terminal transfer system for sale, use, or storage in this State and would have been subject to the federal excise tax imposed by § 4081 of the Code if it had been removed at a terminal or bulk plant rack in this State instead of imported.

(3a) Repealed by Session Laws 2007‑527, s. 38(a), effective January 1, 2008.

(3b) Fuel grade ethanol that meets any of the following descriptions:

a. Is produced in this State, is removed from the storage facility at the production location, and is not delivered to a terminal in this State.

b. Is imported to this State outside the terminal transfer system and is not delivered to a terminal.

c. Is removed from a terminal.

(4) Blended fuel made in this State or imported to this State.

(5) Transferred within the terminal transfer system ~~and,~~ and is subject, upon transfer, ~~is subject~~ to the federal excise tax imposed by section 4081 of the ~~Code.~~ Code or is transferred to a person who is not licensed under this Article as a supplier."

SECTION 33. G.S. 105‑449.82(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) Terminal Rack Removal. – The excise tax imposed by G.S. 105‑449.81(1) on motor fuel removed at a terminal rack in this State is payable by the person that first receives the fuel upon its removal from the terminal. If the motor fuel is removed by an unlicensed distributor, the supplier of the fuel is jointly and severally liable for the tax due on the fuel. If the motor fuel is sold by a person who is not licensed as a supplier, as required by this Article, the terminal operator, the person selling the fuel, and the person removing the fuel are jointly and severally liable for the tax due on the fuel. If the motor fuel removed is not dyed diesel fuel but the shipping document issued for the fuel states that the fuel is dyed diesel fuel, the terminal operator, the supplier, and the person removing the fuel are jointly and severally liable for the tax due on the fuel.

If the motor fuel is removed for export by an unlicensed exporter, the exporter is liable for tax on the fuel at the motor fuel rate and at the rate of the destination state. ~~The liability for the tax at the motor fuel rate applies when the Department assesses the unlicensed exporter for the tax.~~ A supplier who sells motor fuel to a unlicensed exporter is jointly and severally liable for the tax due on the fuel at the motor fuel rate."

SECTION 34. G.S. 105‑449.83A reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.83A. Liability for tax on fuel grade ethanol.

The excise tax imposed by ~~G.S. 105‑449.81(3a)~~ G.S. 105‑449.81(3b) on fuel grade ethanol ~~removed from a storage facility is payable by the fuel alcohol provider. The excise tax imposed by that subdivision on fuel grade ethanol imported to this State~~ is payable ~~by the importer.~~ by the fuel alcohol provider."

SECTION 35. G.S. 105‑449.84A reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.84A. Liability for tax on behind‑the‑rack transfers.

The excise tax imposed by G.S. 105‑449.81(5) on motor fuel that is transferred within the terminal transfer system and is subject to the federal excise tax is payable by the supplier of the fuel, the person receiving the fuel, and the terminal operator of the terminal at which the fuel was transferred, all of whom are jointly and severally liable for the tax. The excise tax imposed by that subdivision on motor fuel that is transferred within the terminal transfer system by a person that is not licensed under this Article as a supplier is payable by the person transferring the motor fuel, the person receiving the motor fuel, and the terminal operation of the terminal at which the fuel was transferred, all of whom are jointly and severally liable for the tax."

SECTION 36. G.S. 105‑449.85 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.85. Compensating tax on and liability for unaccounted for motor fuel losses at a terminal.

(a) Tax. – An excise tax at the motor fuel rate is imposed annually on unaccounted for motor fuel losses at a terminal that exceed one‑half of one percent (0.5%) of the number of net gallons removed from the terminal during the year by a system transfer or at a terminal rack. To determine if this tax applies, the terminal operator of the terminal must determine the difference between the following:

(1) The amount of motor fuel in inventory at the terminal at the beginning of the year plus the amount of motor fuel received by the terminal during the year.

(2) The amount of motor fuel in inventory at the terminal at the end of the year plus the amount of motor fuel removed from the terminal during the year.

(b) Liability. – The terminal operator whose motor fuel is unaccounted for is liable for the tax imposed by this section and is liable for a penalty equal to the amount of tax payable. Motor fuel received by a terminal operator and not shown on an informational return filed by the terminal operator with the Secretary as having been removed from the terminal is presumed to be unaccounted ~~for.~~ for motor fuel. A terminal operator may establish that it can account for motor fuel received at a terminal but not shown on an informational return as having been removed from the terminal if the motor fuel was lost or part of a ~~transmix and is therefore not unaccounted for.~~ transmix."

SECTION 37. G.S. 105‑449.86(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b) Liability. – If the distributor of dyed diesel fuel that is taxable under this section is not liable for the tax imposed by this section, the person that acquires the fuel is liable for the tax. The distributor of dyed diesel fuel that is taxable under this section is liable for the tax imposed by this section in the following circumstances:

(1) When the person acquiring the dyed diesel fuel has storage facilities for the fuel and is therefore a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user of the fuel.

(2) When the person acquired the dyed diesel fuel from a retail outlet of the distributor by using an access card or code indicating that the person's use of the fuel is taxable under this section."

SECTION 38. G.S. 105‑449.87(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b) General Liability. – The operator of a highway vehicle that uses motor fuel that is taxable under subdivisions (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this section is liable for the tax. If the highway vehicle that uses the fuel is owned by or leased to a motor carrier, the motor carrier is jointly and severally liable for the tax. If the ~~end seller~~ end‑seller of motor fuel taxable under this section knew or had reason to know that the motor fuel would be used for a purpose that is taxable under this section, the ~~end seller~~ end‑seller is jointly and severally liable for the tax. If the Secretary determines that a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or retailer used or sold untaxed dyed diesel fuel to operate a highway vehicle when the fuel is dispensed from a storage facility or through a meter marked for nonhighway use, all fuel delivered into that storage facility is presumed to have been used to operate a highway vehicle. An ~~end seller~~ end‑seller of dyed diesel fuel is considered to have known or had reason to know that the fuel would be used for a purpose that is taxable under this section if the ~~end seller~~ end‑seller delivered the fuel into a storage facility that was not marked as required by G.S. 105‑449.123."

SECTION 39. G.S. 105‑449.89 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.89. ~~Removals by out‑of‑state bulk‑end user.~~Restrictions on removal of motor fuel from terminal.

(a) By Bulk End‑User. – An out‑of‑state ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user may not remove motor fuel from a terminal in this State for use in the state in which the ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user is located unless the ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user is licensed under this Article as an exporter. An out‑of‑state ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user that is not licensed under this Article may remove motor fuel from a bulk plant in this State.

(b) To Marine Vessel. – A supplier may not transfer motor fuel from a terminal to a marine vessel unless the person to whom the supplier transfers the motor fuel is licensed as a supplier."

SECTION 40. G.S. 105‑449.91 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.91. Remittance of tax to supplier.

(a) Distributor. – A distributor must remit tax due on motor fuel removed at a terminal rack to the supplier of the fuel. A licensed distributor has the right to defer the remittance of tax to the supplier, as trustee, until the date the trustee must pay the tax to this State or to another state. The time when an unlicensed distributor must remit tax to a supplier is governed by the terms of the contract between the supplier and the unlicensed distributor.

(b) Exporter. – An A licensed exporter must remit tax due on motor fuel removed at a terminal rack to the supplier of the fuel. The time when an a licensed exporter must remit tax to a supplier is governed by the law of the destination state of the exported motor fuel.

(c) Importer. – A licensed importer must remit tax due on motor fuel removed at a terminal rack of a permissive or an elective supplier to the supplier of the fuel. A licensed importer that removes fuel from a terminal rack of a permissive or an elective supplier has the right to defer the remittance of tax to the supplier until the date the supplier must pay the tax to this State.

(d) General. – A person who removes motor fuel at a terminal rack and is not subject to another subsection in this section must remit tax due on the motor fuel to the supplier of the fuel. The time the person must remit tax to a supplier is governed by the terms of the contract between the supplier and the person.~~The~~

The method by which a ~~distributor, a licensed exporter, or a licensed importer~~ person must remit tax to a supplier under this section is governed by the terms of the contract between the supplier and ~~the distributor, exporter, or licensed importer and the supplier.~~ that person. G.S. 105‑449.76 governs the cancellation of a license of a distributor, an exporter, and an importer."

SECTION 41. G.S. 105‑449.96 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.96. Information required on return filed by supplier.

A return of a supplier must list all of the following information and any other information required by the Secretary:

(1) The number of gallons of tax‑paid motor fuel received by the supplier during the month, sorted by type of ~~fuel, seller, point of origin, destination state, and carrier.~~fuel.

(2) The number of gallons of motor fuel removed at a terminal rack during the month from the account of the supplier, sorted by type of ~~fuel, person receiving the fuel, terminal code, and carrier.~~fuel.

(3) The number of gallons of motor fuel removed during the month for export, sorted by type of ~~fuel, person receiving the fuel, terminal code, destination state, and carrier.~~fuel.

(4) The number of gallons of motor fuel removed during the month at a terminal located in another state for destination to this State, as indicated on the shipping document for the fuel, sorted by type of ~~fuel, person receiving the fuel, terminal code, and carrier.~~fuel.

(5) The number of gallons of motor fuel the supplier sold during the month to a governmental unit whose use of fuel is exempt from tax, ~~any of the following,~~ sorted by type of ~~fuel, exempt entity, person receiving the fuel, terminal code, and carrier:~~fuel.

a. ~~A governmental unit whose use of fuel is exempt from the tax.~~

b. ~~A licensed distributor or importer that resold the motor fuel to a governmental unit whose use of fuel is exempt from the tax, as indicated by the distributor or importer.~~

c. ~~A licensed exporter that resold the motor fuel to a person whose use of fuel is exempt from tax in the destination state, as indicated by the exporter.~~

(6) The amount of discounts allowed under G.S. 105‑449.93(b) on motor fuel sold during the month to licensed distributors or licensed importers.

(7) The number of gallons of motor fuel the supplier exchanged during the month with another licensed supplier pursuant to a two‑party exchange agreement, sorted by type of ~~fuel, licensed supplier receiving the fuel, and terminal code.~~fuel."

SECTION 42. G.S. 105‑449.97(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) Percentage Discount. – A supplier that sells motor fuel directly to an unlicensed distributor or to the ~~bulk‑end user,~~ bulk end‑user, the retailer, or the user of the fuel may take the same percentage discount on the fuel that a licensed distributor may take under G.S. 105‑449.93(b) when making deferred payments of tax to the supplier."

SECTION 43. G.S. 105‑449.100 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.100. Terminal operator to file informational return showing changes in amount of motor fuel at the terminal.

(a) Requirement. – A terminal operator must file a monthly informational return with the Secretary that shows the amount of motor fuel received or removed from the terminal during the month. A terminal operator must report all motor fuel removed from an out‑of‑state terminal that has this State as its destination state.

(b) Content. – The return is due on the ~~same~~ date as a monthly return is due under G.S. 105‑449.90. The return must contain the following information and any other information required by the Secretary:

(1) The number of gallons of motor fuel received in inventory at the terminal during the month and each position holder for the ~~fuel.~~fuel, sorted by type of fuel.

(2) The number of gallons of motor fuel removed from inventory at the terminal during the month and, for each removal, the position holder for the fuel and the destination state of the ~~fuel.~~fuel, sorted by type of fuel.

(3) The number of gallons of motor fuel gained or lost at the terminal during the month.

(4) The number of gallons of motor fuel in inventory at the beginning of each month and at the end of each month.

SECTION 44. G.S. 105‑449.101 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.101. Motor fuel transporter to file informational return showing deliveries of motor fuel.

(a) Requirement. – A motor fuel transporter that is required to be licensed under this Article must file a monthly informational return with the Secretary that shows motor fuel transported in this State by the transporter during the month.

(b) Content. – The return required by this section must contain the following information and any other information required by the Secretary:

(1) The name and address of each person from whom the transporter received motor fuel outside the State for delivery in the State, the amount of motor fuel received, the date the motor fuel was received, and the destination state of the fuel.

(2) The name and address of each person from whom the transporter received motor fuel in the State for delivery outside the State, the amount of motor fuel delivered, the date the motor fuel was delivered, and the destination state of the fuel.

(3) The name and address of each person from whom the transporter received motor fuel in the State for delivery in the State, the amount of motor fuel received, the date the motor fuel was received, and the destination state of the fuel.

(c) Due Date. – The return required by this section is due on the ~~same~~ date as a monthly return is due under G.S. 105‑449.90."

SECTION 45. G.S. 105‑449.102 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.102. Distributor to file return showing exports from a bulk plant.

(a) ~~Return.~~ Requirement. – A distributor that exports motor fuel from a bulk plant located in this State must file a monthly return with the Secretary that shows the exports. ~~The return is due on the same date as a monthly return due under G.S. 105‑449.90.~~ The return serves as a claim for refund by the distributor for tax paid to this State on the exported motor fuel.

(b) Content. – The return must contain the following information and any other information required by the Secretary:

(1) The number of gallons of motor fuel exported during the month.

(2) The destination state of the motor fuel exported during the month.

(3) A certification that the distributor has paid to the destination state of the motor fuel exported during the month, or will pay on a timely basis, the amount of tax due that state on the fuel.

SECTION 46. G.S. 105‑449.105 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.105. ~~Refunds upon application~~ Monthly refunds for tax paid on exempt fuel, lost fuel, and accidental mixes that result in fuel ~~unsalable~~ unsuitable for highway use.

(a) Exempt Fuel. – An entity whose use of motor fuel is exempt from tax may obtain a monthly refund of any motor fuel excise tax the entity pays on its motor fuel. A person who sells motor fuel to an entity whose use of motor fuel is exempt from tax may obtain a monthly refund of any motor fuel excise tax the person pays on motor fuel it sells to the entity. A credit card company that issues a credit card to an entity whose use of motor fuel is exempt from tax may obtain a monthly refund of any motor fuel excise tax the company pays on motor fuel the entity purchases using the credit card.

A person may obtain a monthly refund of tax paid by the person on exported fuel, including fuel whose shipping document shows this State as the destination state but was diverted to another state in accordance with the diversion procedures established by the Secretary. An out‑of‑state bulk end‑user is not allowed a refund on fuel exported from a bulk plant unless the bulk end‑user is licensed as an exporter.

(b) Lost Fuel. – A supplier, an importer, or a distributor that loses tax‑paid motor fuel due to damage to a conveyance transporting the motor fuel, fire, a natural disaster, an act of war, or an accident may obtain a monthly refund for the tax paid on the fuel.

(c) Accidental Mixes. – A person that accidentally combines any of the following may obtain a monthly refund for the amount of tax paid on the fuel:

(1) Dyed diesel fuel with tax‑paid motor fuel.

(2) Gasoline with diesel fuel.

(3) Undyed diesel fuel with dyed kerosene.

(d) Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑98, s. 29.

(e) Refund Amount. – The amount of a refund allowed under this section is the amount of excise tax paid, less the amount of any discount allowed on the fuel under G.S. 105‑449.93."

SECTION 47. G.S. 105‑449.105A(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Refund. – A distributor who sells kerosene to any of the following may obtain a monthly refund for the excise tax the distributor paid on the kerosene, less the amount of any discount allowed on the kerosene under G.S. 105‑449.93:

.…"

SECTION 48. G.S. 105‑449.105A(a)(1) reads as rewritten:

"(1) The ~~end user~~ end‑user of the kerosene, if the distributor dispenses the kerosene into a storage facility of the ~~end user~~ end‑user that contains fuel used only for one of the following purposes and the storage facility is installed in a manner that makes use of the fuel for any other purpose improbable:

a. Heating.

b. Drying crops.

c. A manufacturing process."

SECTION 49. G.S. 105‑449.108(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Due Dates. – The due dates of applications for refunds are as follows:

Refund Period Due Date

Annual April 15 after the end of the year

Quarterly Last day of the month after the end of the quarter

Monthly 22nd day after the end of the month

~~Upon Application~~ ~~Last day of the month after the~~

~~month in which tax was paid~~

~~or the event occurred that is the~~

~~basis of the refund.~~"

SECTION 50. G.S. 105‑449.115(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b) Content. – A shipping document issued by a terminal operator or the operator of a bulk plant must contain the following information and any other information required by the Secretary:

(1) Identification, including address, of the terminal or bulk plant from which the motor fuel was received.

(1a) The type of motor fuel loaded.

(2) The date the motor fuel was loaded.

(3) The gross gallons loaded.

(3a) The motor fuel transporter for the motor fuel.

(4) The destination state of the motor fuel, as represented by the purchaser of the motor fuel or the purchaser's agent.

(5) If the document is issued by a terminal operator, the document must be machine printed and it must contain the following information:

a. The net gallons loaded.

b. A tax responsibility statement indicating the name of the supplier that is responsible for the tax due on the motor fuel."

SECTION 51. G.S. 105‑449.117(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Violation. – It is unlawful to use dyed diesel fuel or other non‑tax‑paid fuel in a highway vehicle that is licensed or required to be licensed under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes unless that use is allowed under section 4082 of the Code. It is unlawful to use ~~undyed diesel~~ motor fuel or alternative fuel in a highway vehicle that is licensed or required to be licensed under Chapter 20 of the General Statutes unless the tax imposed by this ~~Article~~ Article or Article 36D of this Chapter and the tax imposed by Article 3 of Chapter 119 of the General Statutes ~~has~~ have been paid. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and is liable for a civil penalty."

SECTION 52. G.S. 105‑449.121(b) reads as rewritten:

"(b) Inspection. – The Secretary or a person designated by the Secretary may do any of the following to determine tax liability under this Article:

(1) Audit ~~a distributor or~~ a person who is required to have or elects to have a license under this Article.

(2) Audit a distributor, a retailer, a bulk‑end user, or a motor fuel user that is not licensed under this Article.

(3) Examine a tank or other equipment used to make, store, or transport motor fuel, diesel dyes, or diesel markers.

(4) Take a sample of a product from a vehicle, a tank, or another container in a quantity sufficient to determine the composition of the product.

(5) Stop a vehicle for the purpose of taking a sample of motor fuel from the vehicle."

SECTION 53. G.S. 105‑449.130 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.130. Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Alternative fuel. – A combustible gas or liquid that can be used to generate power to operate a highway vehicle and that is not subject to tax under Article 36C of this Chapter.

(1a) ~~Bulk‑end user.~~ Bulk end‑user. – A person who maintains storage facilities for alternative fuel and uses part or all of the stored fuel to operate a highway vehicle.

(2) Highway. – Defined in ~~G.S. 20‑4.01(13).~~G.S. 105‑449.60.

(3) Highway vehicle. – Defined in G.S. 105‑449.60.

(4) Motor fuel. – Defined in G.S. 105‑449.60.

(5) Motor fuel rate. – Defined in G.S. 105‑449.60.

(6) Provider of alternative fuel. – A person who does one or more of the following:

a. Acquires alternative fuel for sale or delivery to a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or a retailer.

b. Maintains storage facilities for alternative fuel, part or all of which the person uses or sells to someone other than a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or a retailer to operate a highway vehicle.

c. Sells alternative fuel and uses part of the fuel acquired for sale to operate a highway vehicle by means of a fuel supply line from the cargo tank of the vehicle to the engine of the vehicle.

d. Imports alternative fuel to this State, by a means other than the usual tank or receptacle connected with the engine of a highway vehicle, for use by that person to operate a highway vehicle.

(7) Retailer. – A person who maintains storage facilities for alternative fuel and who sells the fuel at retail or dispenses the fuel at a retail location to operate a highway vehicle."

SECTION 54. G.S. 105‑449.131 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.131. List of persons who must have a license.

A person may not engage in business in this State as any of the following unless the person has a license issued by the Secretary authorizing the person to engage in that business:

(1) A provider of alternative fuel.

(2) A ~~bulk‑end user.~~bulk end‑user.

(3) A retailer."

SECTION 55. G.S. 105‑449.133(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Who Must Have Bond. – The following applicants for a license must file with the Secretary a bond or an irrevocable letter of credit:

(1) An alternative fuel provider.

(2) A retailer or a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user that intends to store highway and nonhighway alternative fuel in the same storage facility."

SECTION 56. G.S. 105‑449.137(a) reads as rewritten:

"(a) Liability. – A ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or retailer that stores highway and nonhighway alternative fuel in the same storage facility is liable for the tax imposed by this Article. The tax payable by a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or retailer applies when fuel is withdrawn from the storage facility. The alternative fuel provider that sells or delivers alternative fuel is liable for the tax imposed by this Article on all other alternative fuel."

SECTION 57. G.S. 105‑449.138 reads as rewritten:

"§ 105‑449.138. Requirements for ~~bulk‑end users~~ bulk end‑users and retailers.

(a) Informational Return. – A ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user and a retailer must file a quarterly informational return with the Secretary. A quarterly return covers a calendar quarter and is due by the last day of the month that follows the quarter covered by the return.

The return must give the following information and any other information required by the Secretary:

(1) The amount of alternative fuel received during the quarter.

(2) The amount of alternative fuel sold or used during the quarter.

(b) Storage. – A ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or a retailer may store highway and nonhighway alternative fuel in separate storage facilities or in the same storage facility. If highway and nonhighway alternative fuel are stored in separate storage facilities, the facility for the nonhighway fuel must be marked in accordance with the requirements set by G.S. 105‑449.123 for dyed diesel storage facilities. If highway and nonhighway alternative fuel are stored in the same storage facility, the storage facility must be equipped with separate metering devices for the highway fuel and the nonhighway fuel. If the Secretary determines that a ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user or retailer used or sold alternative fuel to operate a highway vehicle when the fuel was dispensed from a storage facility or through a meter marked for nonhighway use, all fuel delivered into that storage facility is presumed to have been used to operate a highway vehicle."

SECTION 58. G.S. 105‑449.139(c) reads as rewritten:

"(c) Lists. – The Secretary must give a list of licensed alternative fuel providers to each licensed ~~bulk‑end user~~ bulk end‑user and licensed retailer. The Secretary must also give a list of licensed ~~bulk‑end users~~ bulk end‑users and licensed retailers to each licensed alternative fuel provider. A list must state the name, account number, and business address of each license holder on the list. The Secret