New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Senate Bill S08010

Introduced
5/15/25  

Caption

Adds spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktails to the definition of beverage; includes ready-to-drink cocktail containers in the state bottle deposit incentive program.

Impact

Significantly, S08010 aims to reduce the estimated 100 million spirit-based RTD containers sold annually in New York by incentivizing their return through a bottle deposit mechanism. The inclusion of these containers in the bottle deposit program is projected to lower litter levels and promote recycling efforts. This amendment is particularly relevant in the context of increasing concerns about waste management and environmental degradation associated with discarded containers, which often pollute roadways, parks, and waterways.

Summary

Bill S08010 addresses the growing popularity of spirit-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails in New York by amending the existing alcoholic beverage control law and the environmental conservation law. The legislation includes spirit-based RTD cocktails in the definition of 'beverage' and subjects their containers to the state’s bottle deposit system. This change seeks to create uniformity in how various beverages are regulated and aims to mitigate littering from single-use containers, which have become a significant environmental concern throughout the state.

Contention

The bill may face contention from stakeholders in the beverage industry who have concerns about the financial implications of implementing the bottle deposit system for RTD cocktails. Additionally, the definitions surrounding what constitutes an RTD cocktail are exclusive to those containing distilled spirits, which means malt-based beverages and wine products remain unaffected by this law. Such exclusions could engender discussions on fairness and consistency in regulatory policies across different types of alcoholic beverages, potentially sparking debates within legislative committees.

Future_scope

S08010 is set to take effect 180 days after it becomes law, allowing for the necessary adjustments to be made regarding regulations and policy implementations. The bill reflects a broader trend in environmental legislation aimed at reducing waste and improving sustainability practices, positioning New York as a proactive entity in the battle against litter and environmental harm related to beverage containers.

Companion Bills

NY A07860

Same As Adds spirit-based ready-to-drink cocktails to the definition of beverage; includes ready-to-drink cocktail containers in the state bottle deposit incentive program.

Previously Filed As

NY S00237

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2026, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center.

NY A06353

Relates to returnable bottles; adds noncarbonated soft drinks, certain noncarbonated fruit or vegetable juices, coffee and tea beverages, carbonated fruit beverages and cider to the definition of "beverage"; provides that beginning April 1, 2026, the handling fee will be six cents for each beverage container accepted by a deposit initiator from a dealer or operator of a redemption center.

NY A03940

Enacts the "Drink Up Act"; requires every public school to offer water in a sealed bottled container as an additional drink option to any student during lunch at no cost to such student.

NY S04947

Expands the New York bottle bill by including more types of eligible beverages and additional penalties.

NY A08315

Establishes certain statewide literacy education programs including standards for an early education program, statewide parents as teachers program, a reading program to provide direct support for and intervention in intensive reading intervention services, and the district reading intervention program.

NY K00400

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 7-13, 2023, as Drinking Water Week in the State of New York

NY K02166

Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 5-11, 2024, as Drinking Water Week in the State of New York

NY A07557

Requires the comptroller to retain, from revenues collected from unclaimed bottles, an amount equal to 2% of the total revenues collected in the prior calendar year, for use towards expanding and creating bottle redemption centers under the beverage container assistance program; increases the handling fee paid by deposit initiators to dealers or operators of a redemption center from 3.5 cents to 5 cents.

NY A05851

Establishes a wastewater infrastructure and drinking water program for the purpose of making payments toward the replacement and rehabilitation of existing local municipally-owned and funded drinking water, storm water and sanitary sewer systems; appropriates six million dollars to initially fund such program.

NY S07052

Establishes a wastewater infrastructure and drinking water program for the purpose of making payments toward the replacement and rehabilitation of existing local municipally-owned and funded drinking water, storm water and sanitary sewer systems; appropriates six million dollars to initially fund such program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.