(a) There are exempted from the taxes imposed by this part, the gross receipts from the sale in this state of, and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of, any container used to collect or store human whole blood, plasma, blood products, or blood derivatives that are exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 33, including, but not limited to, blood collection units and blood pack units.

(b) For purposes of this section, “blood collection units” and “blood pack units” include all items that form an integral, interconnected package that, when sold to plasmapheresis centers and blood banks, are used to collect blood or blood components, which are then sold together with the bags and tubing in which they are contained. Blood pack units consist of a plastic bag or bags, tubing, and a needle. Blood collection units are either a manual system that includes a needle, multiple bags, a bag containing saline solution, tubing, filters, grommets, and a pooling bag or an automated system that consists of a needle, a bag of anticoagulant, tubing, a plastic bowl containing a stainless steel centrifuge and a pooling bag. Blood collection units and blood pack units also include plastic bags and tubing sold to plasmapheresis centers when those centers use them to collect blood plasma or platelets and then sell the plasma or platelets together with the bags and tubing in which they are contained.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 773, Sec. 1. Effective October 8, 1997. Operative April 1, 1998, by Sec. 3 of Ch. 773.)