Bill text| Bill Number and Name | HF 1494 / SF 1206 Bill text |
|---|---|
| Sponsors | Representative Hortman / Senators Sieben, Marty |
| Beverages Covered | All beverages in liquid form, excluding milk |
| Containers Covered | Metal, glass, plastic, or combination, up to 3L |
| Deposits | 10¢ |
| Handling Fees | 1 or 2¢, depending on the type of business receiving the fee |
| Other Fees / Taxes | Annual registration fee, paid by manufacturers to state |
| Reclamation System | Return to retailers and approved refund centers |
| Unredeemed Deposits | 90% go to state environmental fund, 10% divided among counties for waste management |
Deposits Effective January 1, 2012
Manufacturers must register with the Pollution Control Agency and pay a fee every year. The first year, the manufacturer must pay $3 per 10,000 containers sold, and after that, $1 per 10,000 containers.
Creates a beverage container recycling account where fees and penalty payments are deposited. Manufacturers initiate the deposit by paying the deposit and a 2¢ handling fee into this fund for every container sold. This handling fee is returned to retailers and refund centers. However, "large general merchandise stores" only receive a 1¢ handlig fee.
One unique provision of the bill is that "A retailer must ensure that the process of redeeming empty beverage containers is no more time-consuming and no less efficient than making a retail purchase at the retailer's store."
Finally, the bill specifies a number of reporting duties that various entities must attend to, as well as the penalties for violating the law.
April 14, 2011: House bill introduced and referred to Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance
April 18, 2011: Senate bill introduced and referred to Environment and Natural Resources