Bill text| Bill Number and Name | House Bill 3704 Bill text |
|---|---|
| Primary Sponsor | Committee on Rules |
| Reclamation System | Allows beverage distributors or importers to establish distributor cooperative |
This bill would make possible a cooperative of 2 or more beverage distributors, to simplify the process of collecting empty containers and distributing refunds to dealers.
The bill specifies that a cooperative formed under the bill must service a majority of the beverage dealers in the state.
Section 5, added by amendment, also requires the cooperative and all independent distributors to provide to the state a yearly report of their containers' return rates by material type.
On April 8, Governor Ted Kulongoski vetoed the bill, citing inconvenience for the consumer, in that fewer stores would be accepting empty containers, and consumers would be forced to go to redemption centers for their refund. Additionally, he expressed concern that the bill "would violate federal antitrust law by restraining competition to the private participants in this industry." Read the veto letter [pdf].
February 9, 2010: Introduced and referred to Rules committee.
February 11, 2010: Public hearing.
February 15, 2010: Public hearing.
February 16, 2010: Amended, Second reading.
February 18, 2010: Third reading, passed House and sent to Senate.
February 19, 2010: First reading in Senate, referred to Rules committee.
February 22, 2010: Second and third readings, passed Senate.
February 25, 2010: Signed by House Speaker and Senate President.
April 8, 2010: Vetoed by governor