(a) The applicant for a vending machine operator’s license shall pay a license fee according to the following schedule: For machines vending products at one penny; a fee of twenty dollars for the first three machines; a fee of forty dollars for four but not more than fifty machines; a fee of eighty dollars for fifty-one but not more than one hundred machines; and for operators of more than one hundred machines, a fee of eighty dollars for each one hundred machines or fraction thereof. For machines vending products at five cents or more; a fee of forty dollars for the first three machines; a fee of one hundred dollars for four but not more than fifty machines; a fee of two hundred dollars for fifty-one but not more than one hundred machines; and for operators of more than one hundred machines, a fee of two hundred dollars for each one hundred machines or fraction thereof. An operator may place machines in operation in excess of the number permitted by the fee schedule for his license, during the period covered by such license, provided he shall pay the higher fee required by the fee schedule for the applicable number of machines, less the fee previously paid for such period.

(b) An applicant who operates machines in both vending price categories shall pay the sum of the fees in each appropriate category.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any religious association or society, any department or agency of the United States, the state or any political subdivision of this state, or to any person exempted under the provisions of § 17a-818. The commissioner may exempt from the provisions of this section any amateur athletic group composed principally of minors, any association of youths sponsored by the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or a municipal police department or the members thereof, and any charitable or philanthropic organization registered with the Commissioner of Consumer Protection under the provisions of § 21a-190b or exempted from such registration under the provisions of § 21a-190d upon finding that the application of this section to any such group, association or organization would not materially aid in its administration and that such exception would not be inimical to public health and safety.