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decision in the matter to that person. In the absence of a protest and request for a hearing within 30 days, the Department's decision shall become final without any further determination being made or notice given. (b) Unstamped original packages of cigarettes for distribution to the public for promotional purposes without consideration. (1) Out-of-state cigarette manufacturers who are not required to be licensed as distributors of cigarettes in this State and who do not elect to obtain approval under subsection (a) to pay the tax imposed by this Act, but who elect to qualify under this subsection Act as distributors of cigarettes in this State for purposes of shipping and delivering unstamped original packages of cigarettes into this State to licensed distributors, shall obtain a permit from the Department, provided that no such permit shall be issued under this subsection to a manufacturer who has obtained the permit provided for in Section 4b(b) of the Cigarette Tax Act. These permits shall be issued without charge in such form as the Department may prescribe and shall not be transferable or assignable. Application for permit shall be made to the Department, by electronic means, in a form prescribed by the Department. Each applicant for a permit under this subsection shall furnish to the Department in a form signed and verified by the applicant under penalty of SB3019 Enrolled LRB104 20255 HLH 33706 b Public Act 104-0468