In this subtitle, “vending machine license” means a license issued by the clerk to sell goods or offer goods for sale through a vending machine.

This subtitle does not apply to: the sale or offering for sale of newspapers, magazines, paper cups, paper or cloth towels, soap, toilet seat covers, postage stamps, or sanitary napkins; the sale or offering for sale of merchandise through a bulk vending machine as defined in § 11–201.1 of the Tax – General Article; or the sale of tobacco products through a vending machine under Title 16, Subtitle 3A of this article.

Whenever a person sells goods or offers goods for sale through a vending machine in the State, the person must have a vending machine license that covers that machine.

An applicant for a vending machine license shall pay to the clerk a license fee of $2.50 for each vending machine. All vending machine license fees collected under this section shall be paid to the Comptroller.

The Comptroller shall print and deliver to the clerk a license sticker for each vending machine. The clerk shall give each vending machine licensee a license sticker for each vending machine. Subject to regulations adopted by the Comptroller, the license sticker shall be attached to the vending machine so that the identification label is easily visible. In addition, the name and telephone number of the vending machine licensee or owner of the vending machine shall be displayed on each vending machine so that the name and telephone number are easily visible. If an inspector finds that a vending machine does not display the license sticker required by this section, the inspector promptly shall: notify the vending machine licensee or owner in writing of the violation; and require that the vending machine licensee or owner display the license sticker properly within 10 days after receiving notice of the violation. If the vending machine licensee or owner fails to display the license sticker properly within 10 days, the inspector shall: seal the vending machine to prevent further use; and take necessary action to enforce the licensing provisions of this subtitle. If neither the license sticker nor the name and telephone number of the vending machine licensee or owner are displayed properly, the inspector: immediately shall seal the vending machine to prevent further use; and shall take necessary action to enforce this subtitle.

A person may not sell goods or offer goods for sale through a vending machine in the State unless the person has a vending machine license that covers that machine. An unauthorized person may not remove or tamper with a license sticker or seal on a vending machine. A person who violates any provision of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction, is subject to a fine not exceeding $100.