Michigan

Details

Below, David Nyberg explains MUCC's strategy for expanding Michigan's bottle bill:

The vehicle we are trying to leverage is a package of bills that are designed to reduce the fraudulent returns in the state from non-deposit containers from bordering state.  (Figures show that this costs Michigan' $12 Million or so annually)

The distributors, retailers, and soft drink associations pulled their muscle behind this package because it reduces the amount of unclaimed deposits that they pay for - and/or perhaps to "open up" the law to make some changes.

MUCC supports this package, but made the latest push to expand the law to include water/non carb containers because there are three bills in this package which would amend the Bottle Bill, thus opening it up for other changes/amendments.  The bills that amend our Bottle Bill are SBs 1391, 1393, and 1394. 

In sum, we're taking a non-controversial bill package as a vehicle for the idea of expansion - whether it be tie-barring SB 29 (the bill for including non-carbonated beverages) to SB 1391, 1393, and 1394 (they are already tie-barred to each other), or by substituting one of those bills with language that would expand the definition of returnable containers.

SB 29 (Switalski)
Expands bottle deposit law to include additional carbonated and non-carbonated beverage containers, except milk products or other dairy-delivered beverages.

SB 1391, 1393, and 1394 are tie-barred

SB 1391 (Cameron Brown)
For people that return out of state containers or other containers that no deposit was paid:

1. 25-100 containers: sets a civil fine of not more than $500.
2. More than 100 containers: increases fine to $1000.
3. Adds repeat offender language: makes it a felony with up to 2 years jail and/or $5000 fine.

SB 1393 (Allen)
Change sign posted on reverse vending machine to reflect increase in penalties in SB 1391.

SB 1394 (Jelinek)
Allows dealers to set daily limits per customer on maximum amount of returns for a cash refund in the following amounts:

1. $25.00 for any dealer that has 1 or more reverse vending machines
2. $5.00 for other dealers

Senate Bills Amending Part 451 of 1994 (NREPA)

SB 1395 (Jelinek)
Allows unclaimed bottle deposit funds to be used for grants for:

1. Research and development of new technologies for dealers to process containers
2. Retrofitting reverse vending machines to accommodate new technologies.

New Senate Bills

SB 821 (Jelinek): Bottle Deposit Fund Anti-Fraud Act
Requires identifying marking of returnable beverage containers in this state. Requires reverse vending machines that will read identifying marking on returnable beverage containers in this state.

SB 822 (Jelinek): Reverse Vending Machine Act
Provides standards for reverse vending machines.

Progress

January 24, 2007: SB 29 Introduced and referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

June 17, 2008: SB 1391, 1393, and 1394 Introduced and referred to Committee on Commerce and Tourism

Contacts

Dave Nyberg
dnyberg@mucc.org
517-346-6462