An expanded definition of vending that included the self checkout market was removed from the final version of the state budget which Governor Kasich signed on June 30, 2011, according to the Ohio Automatic Merchandising Association (OAMA). The expanded definition was included in the senate version of the budget.
OAMA claims the deleted provision would have accommodated the “open market” concept, also referred to as an unattended, self checkout or micro-market. Ohio law does not currently have a food service licensing category where the open market concept fits, OAMA reported. OAMA intends to pursue stand-alone legislation in the state house and senate that would accomplish this goal.
Editor’s Insight: The emergence of the self checkout market creates a new regulatory issue: how should the sales be taxed?
Vending operators using these systems need to know how their taxing authorities categorize them. 07-15-11 by Elliot Maras
