(CHICAGO) May 15, 2015 – The California Automatic Vending Council (CAVC) hosted a two-day legislative event at the California State Capitol in Sacramento May 5th and 6th. The CAVC members requested support from legislators for AB 155 (Dababneh), a bill supported by CAVC that would remove the partial tax on food products sold through vending machines in the state of California.
CAVC members met with Assembly Member William Brough, Vice Chair of the Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee, along with Assembly Member Matthew Dababneh, Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee and author of CAVC’s tax bill AB 155, on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday the group met with over 22 legislators and legislative assistants at the state Capitol.
The CAVC attendees focused discussions with legislators on the industry impacts of AB 155, which would remedy an inequity in California's tax law regarding the taxation of items sold through vending machines. “The legislation would ensure that the existing tax exemption on food products would apply to all retail locations, creating tax parity,” said Sandy Larson, NAMA Senior Director Government Affairs. “Food products that are exempt from taxation when sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and catering trucks should also be exempt when sold through vending machines. Passage of this legislation will resolve that inequity.” she concluded.
“This was CAVC’s best legislative event to date,” said Janette Carter, president of CAVC. “The event was very well received by the legislators and their staff. The legislators that we met with understood the inequity in the tax law and agreed that food products should not be taxed based on the method by which they are sold. With the State of California reporting a budget surplus of over $3 billion this year, we believe that the timing is right for passage of the bill.”
NAMA Board Chair Pete Tullio said, “The importance of this legislation cannot be underestimated. In our meetings, we focused on the fact that, should this measure become law, our industry would have the means to reinvest in our businesses in the form of jobs, technology, capital improvements and increased sales. This reinvestment in business and economic activity will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the state.”
“Our two days in Sacramento were very productive for CAVC and our industry,” said NAMA Government Affairs Member Robert Donohue. “The legislators heard our message loud and clear. The next step is to keep it in the front of their mind.”
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1500 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
