§16-9D-4. Certification of tobacco product manufacturer wanting to sell product in this state for the first time.

(a) A tobacco product manufacturer whose cigarettes have not previously been sold in this state, whether directly or through a distributor, retailer or similar intermediary or intermediaries, shall, at least thirty calendar days before beginning to sell its cigarettes in this state, make the certification required by section three of this article. In addition to the information required by section three, the manufacturer shall include the following information in its certification:

(1) If the tobacco product manufacturer is a partnership, limited liability company, corporation, association or other business entity, the following where applicable:

(A) The names and addresses of every partner, member, officer, resident agent, director or person performing a function similar to a director;

(B) The names and addresses of any person owning of record a ten percent or greater equity interest in the tobacco product manufacturer; and

(C) A list of all names under which the tobacco manufacturer, or any partner, member, officer, resident agent, director, or person owning a ten percent or greater equity interest in the tobacco manufacturer, previously did business as a tobacco product manufacturer in the United States within the five-year period preceding the date of submission of the certification; and

(2) A statement of whether the tobacco product manufacturer, or any partner, member, officer, resident agent, director, or person owning a ten percent or greater equity interest in the tobacco manufacturer, or in any subsidiary, affiliate or persons controlled by or under common control with the tobacco manufacturer, has ever been an officer, partner, director or person owning a ten percent or greater equity interest in a tobacco product manufacturer that ever defaulted in fully funding the escrow account required by article nine-b of this chapter in the five-year period prior to the date of submission of the certification under this section and, if so, a brief explanation of the facts involved.