Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB232 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3	EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW .
4	4	[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5	5	hb0232
6	6
7	7	HOUSE BILL 232
8	8	M3 5lr1373
9	9	HB 735/24 – ENT & ECM (PRE–FILED) CF 5lr1374
10	10	By: Delegates Terrasa, Feldmark, Foley, Kaufman, Mireku –North, Pena–Melnyk,
11	11	Ruth, Vogel, and Ziegler
12	12	Requested: October 25, 2024
13	13	Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
14	14	Assigned to: Environment and Transportation and Economic Matters
15	15
16	16	A BILL ENTITLED
17	17
18	18	AN ACT concerning 1
19	19
20	20	Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program 2
21	21
22	22	FOR the purpose of establishing the Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and 3
23	23	Litter Reduction Program to increase the reuse and recycling of beverage containers 4
24	24	and reduce the litter, pollution, and costs associated with beverage containers; 5
25	25	altering the duties of the Office of Recycling; altering the contents and use of the 6
26	26	State Recycling Trust Fund; requiring the Comptroller to establish a separate 7
27	27	account within the Fund; requiring that each redeemable beverage container sold in 8
28	28	the State depict certain information beginning on a certain date; requiring the 9
29	29	wholesale price and retail price of a full redeemable beverage container to include 10
30	30	the refund value of the container, subject to a certain exception, beginning on a 11
31	31	certain date; requiring a retailer to include certain information on a customer’s sales 12
32	32	receipt; establishing a framework for the redemption of redeemable beverage 13
33	33	containers sold in the State; requiring a producer to provide a certified copy of a 14
34	34	certain contractual agreement to a certain beverage container stewardship 15
35	35	organization; prohibiting a producer from selling, offering for sale, or distributing in 16
36	36	or importing into the State a redeemable beverage container unless the producer is 17
37	37	registered with the Department of the Environment, pays a certain fee, and is part 18
38	38	of the beverage container stewardship organization; establishing a framework for 19
39	39	the beverage container stewardship organization to represent producers in fulfilling 20
40	40	the requirements of this Act; requiring the beverage container stewardship 21
41	41	organization to submit a certain beverage container stewardship plan to the 22
42	42	Department for approval; requiring the beverage container stewardship 23
43	43	organization to implement and administer the beverage container stewardship plan 24
44	44	within a certain time after the plan is approved; requiring the Department to 25
45	45	establish a process for a county or municipal corporation to create a redemption 26
46	46	facility; authorizing redeemable beverage containers redeemed at a redemption 27
47	47	facility managed by a county or municipal corporation to be credited toward meeting 28
48	48	certain recycling rates; establishing the Beverage Container Recycling Refund Grant 29 2 HOUSE BILL 232
49	49
50	50
51	51	Program to evaluate the investments and policies necessary to achieve a certain 1
52	52	performance target, increase the reuse and recycling of beverage containers in the 2
53	53	State, increase the availability of public water fountains and refill stations in the 3
54	54	State, and reduce the volume of litter from beverage containers in the State; 4
55	55	establishing the Redeemable Beverage Container Recycling Refund Advisory 5
56	56	Council to review certain reports, make certain recommendations, and advise the 6
57	57	Department on certain matters; providing immunity from liability to a certain 7
58	58	person under certain circumstances; and generally relating to the Maryland 8
59	59	Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program. 9
60	60
61	61	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 10
62	62	Article – Environment 11
63	63	Section 9–1701(a) and (q) and 9–1702(a) 12
64	64	Annotated Code of Maryland 13
65	65	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 14
66	66
67	67	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 15
68	68	Article – Environment 16
69	69	Section 9–1702(d) and 9–1707(f) 17
70	70	Annotated Code of Maryland 18
71	71	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 19
72	72
73	73	BY adding to 20
74	74	Article – Environment 21
75	75	Section 9–1737 through 9–1755 to be under the new part “Part VI. Maryland 22
76	76	Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program” 23
77	77	Annotated Code of Maryland 24
78	78	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 25
79	79
80	80	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 26
81	81	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 27
82	82
83	83	Article – Environment 28
84	84
85	85	9–1701. 29
86	86
87	87	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 30
88	88
89	89	(q) “Recycling” means any process in which recyclable materials are collected, 31
90	90	separated, or processed and returned to the marketplace in the form of raw materials or 32
91	91	products. 33
92	92
93	93	9–1702. 34
94	94
95	95	(a) There is an Office of Recycling created within the Department. 35
96	96
97	97	(d) The Office shall: 36 HOUSE BILL 232 3
98	98
99	99
100	100
101	101	(1) Assist the counties in developing an acceptable recycling plan required 1
102	102	under § 9–1703 of this subtitle and § 9–505 of this title, including technical assistance to 2
103	103	the local governments; 3
104	104
105	105	(2) Coordinate the efforts of the State to facilitate the implementation of 4
106	106	the recycling goals at the county level; 5
107	107
108	108	(3) Review all recycling plans submitted as part of a county plan as 6
109	109	required under § 9–505 of this title and advise the Secretary on the adequacy of the 7
110	110	recycling plan; 8
111	111
112	112	(4) Administer the Statewide Electronics Recycling Program under Part IV 9
113	113	of this subtitle; 10
114	114
115	115	(5) Promote the development of markets for recycled materials and 11
116	116	recycled products in the State in accordance with § 9–1702.1 of this subtitle; [and] 12
117	117
118	118	(6) Review and approve plans and annual reports, including the paint 13
119	119	stewardship assessment, submitted in accordance with a Paint Stewardship Program 14
120	120	established under Part V of this subtitle; AND 15
121	121
122	122	(7) ADMINISTER THE MARYLAND BEVERAGE CONTAINER 16
123	123	RECYCLING REFUND AND LITTER REDUCTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 17
124	124	9–1739 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 18
125	125
126	126	9–1707. 19
127	127
128	128	(f) (1) There is a State Recycling Trust Fund. 20
129	129
130	130	(2) The Fund shall consist of: 21
131	131
132	132	(i) The newsprint recycling incentive fee; 22
133	133
134	134	(ii) The telephone directory recycling incentive fee collected under § 23
135	135	9–1709 of this subtitle; 24
136	136
137	137	(iii) The covered electronic device manufacturer registration fee 25
138	138	collected under § 9–1728 of this subtitle; 26
139	139
140	140	(iv) The Paint Stewardship Program plan and annual report review 27
141	141	fees collected under § 9–1733(b) and (h) of this subtitle; 28
142	142
143	143	(V) UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS , FEES, AND PENALTIES 29
144	144	TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND UNDER §§ 9–1743, 9–1744, AND 9–1754 OF THIS 30
145	145	SUBTITLE; 31 4 HOUSE BILL 232
146	146
147	147
148	148
149	149	[(v)] (VI) All fines and penalties collected under this subtitle; 1
150	150
151	151	[(vi)] (VII) Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; and 2
152	152
153	153	[(vii)] (VIII) Any other money from any other source accepted for the 3
154	154	benefit of the Fund. 4
155	155
156	156	(3) The Secretary shall administer the Fund. 5
157	157
158	158	(4) The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately and the Comptroller shall 6
159	159	account for the Fund. 7
160	160
161	161	(5) (I) [At] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 8
162	162	PARAGRAPH , AT the end of each fiscal year, any unspent or unencumbered balance in the 9
163	163	Fund that exceeds $2,000,000 shall revert to the General Fund of the State in accordance 10
164	164	with § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. 11
165	165
166	166	(II) THE FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO THE FUND UNDER 12
167	167	PARAGRAPH (2)(V) OF THIS SUBSECTION A RE NOT SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE 13
168	168	STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE AND MAY NOT R EVERT TO THE 14
169	169	GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 15
170	170
171	171	(6) In accordance with the State budget, the Fund shall be used only: 16
172	172
173	173	(i) To provide grants to the counties to be used by the counties to 17
174	174	develop and implement local recycling plans; 18
175	175
176	176	(ii) To provide grants to counties that have addressed methods for 19
177	177	the separate collection and recycling of covered electronic devices in accordance with § 20
178	178	9–1703(c)(1) of this subtitle; 21
179	179
180	180	(iii) To provide grants to municipalities to be used by the 22
181	181	municipalities to implement local covered electronic device recycling programs; 23
182	182
183	183	(iv) To cover the costs of the Paint Stewardship Program plan review 24
184	184	under § 9–1733(b) of this subtitle, the annual report review under § 9–1733(h) of this 25
185	185	subtitle, and associated costs for Program compliance oversight; [and] 26
186	186
187	187	(V) TO COVER THE COSTS OF ADMINISTERING , MONITORING , 27
188	188	EVALUATING, AND ENFORCING THE MARYLAND BEVERAGE CONTAINER 28
189	189	RECYCLING REFUND AND LITTER REDUCTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 29
190	190	9–1739 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 30
191	191
192	192	[(v)] (VI) To carry out the purposes of the land management 31
193	193	administration. 32 HOUSE BILL 232 5
194	194
195	195
196	196
197	197	(7) (I) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL EST ABLISH A SEPARATE 1
198	198	ACCOUNT WITHIN THE FUND. 2
199	199
200	200	(II) THE ACCOUNT SHALL CON SIST OF THE FUNDS SP ECIFIED IN 3
201	201	PARAGRAPH (2)(V) OF THIS SUBSECTION. 4
202	202
203	203	(III) THE ACCOUNT MAY BE US ED ONLY TO: 5
204	204
205	205	1. COVER THE COSTS OF AD MINISTERING, MONITORING , 6
206	206	EVALUATING, AND ENFORCING THE MARYLAND BEVERAGE CONTAINER 7
207	207	RECYCLING REFUND AND LITTER REDUCTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 8
208	208	9–1739 OF THIS SUBTITLE ; 9
209	209
210	210	2. FUND THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING 10
211	211	REFUND GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 9–1750 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 11
212	212
213	213	3. COMPENSATE LOCAL GOVE RNMENTS IN 12
214	214	ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1748 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 13
215	215
216	216	4. MEET OR EXCEED THE PE RFORMANCE TARGETS 14
217	217	ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1740 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 15
218	218
219	219	[(7)] (8) (i) The Treasurer shall invest the money in the Fund in the 16
220	220	same manner as other State money may be invested. 17
221	221
222	222	(ii) Any investment earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the 18
223	223	General Fund of the State. 19
224	224
225	225	9–1735. RESERVED. 20
226	226
227	227	9–1736. RESERVED. 21
228	228
229	229	PART VI. MARYLAND BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING REFUND AND LITTER 22
230	230	REDUCTION PROGRAM. 23
231	231
232	232	9–1737. 24
233	233
234	234	(A) IN THIS PART THE FOLL OWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 25
235	235	INDICATED. 26
236	236
237	237	(B) (1) “ACCOUNT–BASED BULK PROCESSIN G PROGRAM ” MEANS A 27
238	238	PROGRAM THAT : 28
239	239	6 HOUSE BILL 232
240	240
241	241
242	242	(I) UTILIZES A SYSTEM OF CUSTOMER ACCOUNTS AN D A 1
243	243	MECHANISM TO ASSOCIA TE REDEEMED REDEEMAB LE BEVERAGE CONTAINE RS WITH 2
244	244	THE APPROPRIATE CUST OMER ACCOUNT ; 3
245	245
246	246	(II) CONSOLIDATES THE REDE EMED REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE 4
247	247	CONTAINERS FOR BULK SORTING WHILE COLLEC TING DATA ABOUT THE 5
248	248	CONTAINERS; 6
249	249
250	250	(III) FULLY PREPARES REDEEM ED REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE 7
251	251	CONTAINERS FOR SALE TO RECYCLERS ; AND 8
252	252
253	253	(IV) COLLECTS DATA TO SUPP ORT AN ACCOUNTI NG OF THE 9
254	254	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS, INCLUDING THE DEPOSI TS, FEES, AND 10
255	255	POUNDS OF MATERIAL P RODUCED THAT ARE ASS OCIATED WITH THE RED EEMABLE 11
256	256	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS . 12
257	257
258	258	(2) “ACCOUNT–BASED BULK PROCESSIN G PROGRAM ” INCLUDES A 13
259	259	BAG DROP PROGRAM IF THE BAG DROP PROGRAM IS A COMPONE NT OF THE 14
260	260	ACCOUNT–BASED BULK PROCESSIN G PROGRAM. 15
261	261
262	262	(C) “ADVISORY COUNCIL” MEANS THE REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 16
263	263	CONTAINER RECYCLING REFUND ADVISORY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED U NDER § 17
264	264	9–1752 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 18
265	265
266	266	(D) “BAG DROP PROGRAM ” MEANS A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS A CUSTOM ER 19
267	267	TO: 20
268	268
269	269	(1) DROP OFF EMPTY REDEEM ABLE BEVERAGE CONTAI NERS IN A BAG 21
270	270	OR OTHER RECEPTACLE AT ONE OR MORE LOCAT IONS FOR A REFUND ; AND 22
271	271
272	272	(2) HAVE THE CORRESPONDIN G REFUND PLACED INTO AN ACCOUNT 23
273	273	HELD FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CUSTOMER IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWS THE 24
274	274	CUSTOMER TO OBTAIN T HE REFUND OR REFUND RECEIPT WITHIN A SPE CIFIED 25
275	275	NUMBER OF DAYS AFTER THE DROP–OFF. 26
276	276
277	277	(E) (1) “BEVERAGE” MEANS ANY DRINKABLE LIQUID INTENDED FOR 27
278	278	HUMAN ORAL CONSUMPTI ON. 28
279	279
280	280	(2) “BEVERAGE” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 29
281	281
282	282	(I) DRUGS REGULATED UNDER TH E FEDERAL FOOD, DRUG, 30
283	283	AND COSMETIC ACT; AND 31
284	284	HOUSE BILL 232 7
285	285
286	286
287	287	(II) INFANT FORMULA . 1
288	288
289	289	(F) (1) “BEVERAGE CONTAINER ” MEANS A BOTTLE , CAN, OR OTHER 2
290	290	CONTAINER THAT : 3
291	291
292	292	(I) HAS BEEN SEALED BY A MANUFACTURER ; 4
293	293
294	294	(II) IS MADE OF GLASS , METAL, OR PLASTIC; AND 5
295	295
296	296	(III) AT THE TIME OF SALE , CONTAINS 3 LITERS OR LESS OF A 6
297	297	BEVERAGE. 7
298	298
299	299	(2) “BEVERAGE CONTAINER ” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 8
300	300
301	301	(I) A CARTON; 9
302	302
303	303	(II) A POUCH; OR 10
304	304
305	305	(III) ASEPTIC PACKAGING . 11
306	306
307	307	(G) “BEVERAGE CONTAINER RE DEMPTION AND PROCESS ING METHOD ” 12
308	308	MEANS A MANUAL OR TE CHNOLOGICAL METHOD F OR PROPERLY COLLECTI NG, 13
309	309	IDENTIFYING, COUNTING, OR PROCESSING EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 14
310	310	CONTAINERS FOR REDEM PTION. 15
311	311
312	312	(H) “BEVERAGE CONTAINER ST EWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION” MEANS A 16
313	313	NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON THAT IS: 17
314	314
315	315	(1) EXEMPT FROM TAXATION UNDER § 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL 18
316	316	REVENUE CODE; 19
317	317
318	318	(2) CREATED BY PRODUCERS TO IMPLEMENT A BEVER AGE 20
319	319	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN; AND 21
320	320
321	321	(3) APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDA NCE WITH § 9–1745 22
322	322	OF THIS SUBTITLE. 23
323	323
324	324	(I) “BEVERAGE CONTAINER ST EWARDSHIP PLAN ” MEANS A PLAN 24
325	325	SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1746 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 25
326	326
327	327	(J) “DEPOSIT INITIATOR ” MEANS THE FIRST DIST RIBUTOR TO COLLECT A 26
328	328	DEPOSIT ON A BEVERAG E CONTAINER SOLD IN THE STATE. 27
329	329
330	330	(K) (1) “DISTRIBUTOR” MEANS A PERSON THAT SELLS BEVERAGES IN 28 8 HOUSE BILL 232
331	331
332	332
333	333	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS TO A RETA ILER IN THE STATE. 1
334	334
335	335	(2) “DISTRIBUTOR” INCLUDES A PERSON TH AT MANUFACTURES AND 2
336	336	SELLS BEVERAGES IN R EDEEMABLE BEVERAGE C ONTAINERS TO A RETAI LER IN THE 3
337	337	STATE. 4
338	338
339	339	(3) “DISTRIBUTOR” DOES NOT INCLUDE AIR LINES OR SHIPPING 5
340	340	COMPANIES THAT TRANS PORT REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINERS . 6
341	341
342	342	(L) “GRANT PROGRAM” MEANS THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING 7
343	343	REFUND GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 9–1750 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 8
344	344
345	345	(M) “LINE BREAKAGE ” MEANS A BEVERAGE CON TAINER THAT: 9
346	346
347	347	(1) BECOMES DEFECTIVE OR DAMAGED DURING MANUF ACTURING; 10
348	348
349	349	(2) IS NOT INTENDED TO BE SOLD; AND 11
350	350
351	351	(3) IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR R EDEMPTION. 12
352	352
353	353	(N) “MARYLAND–SPECIFIC UPC BARCODE” MEANS A UNIVERSAL PR ODUCT 13
354	354	CODE THAT IS: 14
355	355
356	356	(1) UNIQUE TO BEVERAGE CO NTAINERS SOLD IN THE STATE; AND 15
357	357
358	358	(2) USED TO DETER FRAUD A ND ENSURE THE LEGITI MATE 16
359	359	REDEMPTION OF REDEEM ABLE BEVERAGE CONTAI NERS. 17
360	360
361	361	(O) (1) “ON–PREMISES SELLER ” MEANS A PERSON THAT SELLS FILLED 18
362	362	AND UNOPENED REDEE MABLE BEVERAGE CONTA INERS FOR ON –PREMISES 19
363	363	CONSUMPTION . 20
364	364
365	365	(2) “ON–PREMISES SELLER ” INCLUDES: 21
366	366
367	367	(I) BARS; 22
368	368
369	369	(II) HOTELS; 23
370	370
371	371	(III) RESTAURANTS ; 24
372	372
373	373	(IV) SPORTING VENUES ; 25
374	374
375	375	(V) ENTERTAINMENT VENUES ; AND 26 HOUSE BILL 232 9
376	376
377	377
378	378
379	379	(VI) GAMING VENUES . 1
380	380
381	381	(P) “PERFORMANCE TARGETS” MEANS THE TARGETS ES TABLISHED UNDER 2
382	382	§ 9–1740 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 3
383	383
384	384	(Q) (1) “PRODUCER” MEANS A PERSON RESPO NSIBLE FOR COMPLYING 4
385	385	WITH THE REQUIREMENT S UNDER THIS PART . 5
386	386
387	387	(2) “PRODUCER” INCLUDES A FRANCHISO R OF A FRANCHISE 6
388	388	LOCATED IN THE STATE. 7
389	389
390	390	(3) “PRODUCER” DOES NOT INCLUDE : 8
391	391
392	392	(I) THE STATE, A COUNTY, A MUNICIPAL CORPORAT ION, OR 9
393	393	ANY OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE; 10
394	394
395	395	(II) A CHARITABLE ORGANIZAT ION THAT IS TAX –EXEMPT 11
396	396	UNDER § 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; 12
397	397
398	398	(III) A SOCIAL WELFARE ORGANIZATION T HAT IS TAX–EXEMPT 13
399	399	UNDER § 501(C)(4) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; 14
400	400
401	401	(IV) A FRANCHISEE THAT OPER ATES A FRANCHISE IN THE 15
402	402	STATE; 16
403	403
404	404	(V) A PERSON THAT ANNUALLY SELLS, OFFERS FOR SALE , 17
405	405	DISTRIBUTES, OR IMPORTS INTO THE COUNTRY FOR SALE IN THE STATE FEWER 18
406	406	THAN 1,000 REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS; OR 19
407	407
408	408	(VI) A PERSON THAT ANNUALLY SELLS, OFFERS FOR SALE , OR 20
409	409	DISTRIBUTES IN THE STATE REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINERS THAT IN 21
410	410	AGGREGATE GENERATE L ESS THAN $5,000,000 EACH YEAR IN GLOBAL REVENUE. 22
411	411
412	412	(R) “PROGRAM” MEANS THE MARYLAND BEVERAGE CONTAINER 23
413	413	RECYCLING REFUND AND LITTER REDUCTION PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 24
414	414	9–1739 OF THIS SUBTITLE . 25
415	415
416	416	(S) “RECYCLING RATE ” MEANS THE NUMBER OF NONREFILLABLE 26
417	417	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN T HE STATE THAT A RE RECYCLED 27
418	418	SHOWN AS A PERCENTAG E OF ALL NONREFILLAB LE REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE 28
419	419	CONTAINERS SOLD IN T HE STATE. 29
420	420	10 HOUSE BILL 232
421	421
422	422
423	423	(T) “REDEEM” MEANS THE RETURN OF AN EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 1
424	424	CONTAINER IN EXCHANG E FOR A REFUND , A VOUCHER FOR A REFU ND, OR A CREDIT 2
425	425	TO AN ACCOUNT FOR NOT LESS THAN TH E REFUND VALUE . 3
426	426
427	427	(U) “REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE C ONTAINER” MEANS A BEVERAGE 4
428	428	CONTAINER THAT , AT THE TIME OF SALE : 5
429	429
430	430	(1) CONTAINS 3 LITERS OR LESS OF A BEVERAGE; 6
431	431
432	432	(2) BEARS A UNIVERSAL PRO DUCT CODE; AND 7
433	433
434	434	(3) MAY BEAR A MARYLAND–SPECIFIC UPC BARCODE FOR THE 8
435	435	PURPOSE OF ENSURING LEGITIMATE REDEMPTIO N AND DETERRING FRAU D. 9
436	436
437	437	(V) “REDEMPTION FACILITY ” MEANS A FACILITY THA T: 10
438	438
439	439	(1) ACCEPTS EMPTY BEVERAG E CONTAINERS FROM A CONSUMER , A 11
440	440	RETAILER, OR BOTH; 12
441	441
442	442	(2) COLLECTS, SORTS, AND COUNTS EMPTY BEV ERAGE CONTAINERS ; 13
443	443
444	444	(3) REFUNDS THE REFUND VA LUE OF EMPTY REDEEMA BLE 14
445	445	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS IN CASH, WITH A VOUCHER , OR AS A CREDIT TO AN 15
446	446	ACCOUNT FOR NOT LESS THAN THE REFUND VALU E OF THE REDEEMABLE 16
447	447	BEVERAGE CONTAINER ; AND 17
448	448
449	449	(4) IS LICENSED UNDER § 9–1742 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 18
450	450
451	451	(W) “REDEMPTION RATE ” MEANS THE PERCENTAGE OF REDEEMABLE 19
452	452	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN THE STATE THAT ARE REDEEM ED FOR THE 20
453	453	DEPOSIT VALUE . 21
454	454
455	455	(X) “REFILLABLE” MEANS A BEVERAGE CON TAINER THAT IS DESIG NED AND 22
456	456	INTENDED TO BE REUSE D AS A BEVERAGE CONT AINER AFTER BEING US ED BY A 23
457	457	CONSUMER WITHOUT THE NEED FOR REMANUFACTU RING. 24
458	458
459	459	(Y) (1) “RETAILER” MEANS A PERSON THAT ENGAGES IN THE SALE OF 25
460	460	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS TO A CONS UMER IN THE STATE. 26
461	461
462	462	(2) “RETAILER” INCLUDES A PERSON TH AT ENGAGES IN THE SA LE OF 27
463	463	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS: 28
464	464
465	465	(I) THROUGH A VENDING MAC HINE; OR 29 HOUSE BILL 232 11
466	466
467	467
468	468
469	469	(II) ONLINE FOR HOME OR OFFICE DELIVERY. 1
470	470
471	471	(Z) “REVERSE VENDING MACHI NE” MEANS AN AUTOMATED D EVICE THAT: 2
472	472
473	473	(1) ACCEPTS ONE OR MORE TYPES OF EMPTY REDEE MABLE 3
474	474	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ; 4
475	475
476	476	(2) USES A LASER SCANNER , AN OPTICAL SENSOR , A 5
477	477	MICROPROCESSOR , OR OTHER TECHNOLOGY TO ACCURATELY RECOGN IZE A 6
478	478	BEVERAGE CONTAINER ’S UNIVERSAL PRODUCT CODE TO DETERMINE WH ETHER THE 7
479	479	CONTAINER IS A REDEE MABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER ; 8
480	480
481	481	(3) ISSUES A REDEEMABLE C REDIT SLIP FOR THE R EDEEMABLE 9
482	482	BEVERAGE CONTAINER ’S REFUND VALUE ; 10
483	483
484	484	(4) SEPARATES REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FROM 11
485	485	CONTAINERS THAT ARE NOT REDEEMABLE ; 12
486	486
487	487	(5) USES MECHANICAL COMPA CTION TO CANCEL REDE EMABLE 13
488	488	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS THAT HAVE BEEN REDEE MED; AND 14
489	489
490	490	(6) COMPILES INFORMATION REGARDING THE REDEEM ABLE 15
491	491	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS THAT HAVE BEEN REDEE MED, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF 16
492	492	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS REDEEMED . 17
493	493
494	494	(AA) (1) “UNIVERSAL PRODUCT COD E” OR “UPC” MEANS A STANDARD 18
495	495	BARCODE THAT ENCODES A NUMBER UNIQUELY AS SIGNED TO A PRODUCT FOR 19
496	496	IDENTIFICATION OF TH E PRODUCT. 20
497	497
498	498	(2) “UNIVERSAL PRODUCT COD E” OR “UPC” INCLUDES: 21
499	499
500	500	(I) ANY INDUSTRY–ACCEPTED BARCODE USE D FOR PRODUCT 22
501	501	IDENTIFICATION PURPO SES; AND 23
502	502
503	503	(II) A EUROPEAN ARTICLE NUMB ER. 24
504	504
505	505	9–1738. 25
506	506
507	507	IT IS THE INTENT OF T HE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO: 26
508	508
509	509	(1) REDUCE THE VOLUME OF LITTER AND PLASTIC P OLLUTION FROM 27
510	510	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS IN THE STATE BY ACHIEVING A REDEMPTION RATE OF AT 28 12 HOUSE BILL 232
511	511
512	512
513	513	LEAST 90% FOR THE APPROXIMATEL Y 5,500,000,000 SINGLE–USE BEVERAGE 1
514	514	CONTAINERS SOLD ANNU ALLY IN THE STATE; 2
515	515
516	516	(2) PROVIDE A SOURCE OF H IGH–QUALITY, FOOD–GRADE MATERIALS 3
517	517	FOR USE AS RECYCLED CONTENT IN BEVERAGE AND FOOD CONTAINERS ; 4
518	518
519	519	(3) REDUCE THE VOLUME OF BEVERAGE CONTAINERS THAT ARE 5
520	520	LANDFILLED OR INCINERATED IN THE STATE; 6
521	521
522	522	(4) REDUCE THE COSTS OF L ITTER AND BEVERAGE C ONTAINER 7
523	523	COLLECTION, RECYCLING, AND DISPOSAL INCURRE D BY TAXPAYERS , COUNTIES, 8
524	524	AND MUNICIPAL CORPOR ATIONS BY MAKING PRO DUCERS OF BEVERAGE 9
525	525	CONTAINERS RESPONSIB LE FOR THE RECOVE RY, RECYCLING, AND REUSE OF 10
526	526	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ; 11
527	527
528	528	(5) PROVIDE INCENTIVES FO R INCREASING THE USE OF REUSABLE 12
529	529	AND REFILLABLE BEVER AGE CONTAINERS ; AND 13
530	530
531	531	(6) REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 14
532	532	PRODUCTION , TRANSPORTATION , PROCESSING, AND WA STE DISPOSAL OF 15
533	533	SINGLE–USE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ERS SOLD IN THE STATE. 16
534	534
535	535	9–1739. 17
536	536
537	537	THERE IS A MARYLAND BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING REFUND AND 18
538	538	LITTER REDUCTION PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 19
539	539
540	540	9–1740. 20
541	541
542	542	PERFORMANCE TARGETS F OR THE PROGRAM ARE AS FOLLOW S: 21
543	543
544	544	(1) A 70% REDEMPTION RATE BY DECEMBER 31, 2029; 22
545	545
546	546	(2) A 90% REDEMPTION RATE BY DECEMBER 31, 2032; 23
547	547
548	548	(3) BY DECEMBER 31, 2027, ATTAINMENT OF ALL CO NVENIENCE 24
549	549	STANDARDS IDENTIFIED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1751 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 25
550	550	AND 26
551	551
552	552	(4) BY DECEMBER 31, 2035, AT LEAST 10% OF ALL BEVERAGE 27
553	553	CONTAINERS SOLD IN T HE STATE ARE RETURNED AN D REFILLED. 28
554	554
555	555	9–1741. 29 HOUSE BILL 232 13
556	556
557	557
558	558
559	559	(A) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 1
560	560	BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2028, EACH REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINER SOLD IN 2
561	561	THE STATE SHALL INCLUDE A DEPICTION OF THE FOLL OWING INFORMATION : 3
562	562
563	563	(I) THE WORD “MARYLAND” OR THE LETTERS “MD”; AND 4
564	564
565	565	(II) 1. FOR REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE CONTAINERS WITH A 5
566	566	VOLUME OF 24 FLUID OUNCES OR LESS , A REFUND VALUE OF 10 CENTS; OR 6
567	567
568	568	2. FOR REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE CONTAINERS W ITH A 7
569	569	VOLUME OF MORE THAN 24 FLUID OUNCES , A REFUND VALUE OF 15 CENTS. 8
570	570
571	571	(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ADJUST THE REFUND VALUES SP ECIFIED 9
572	572	IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION : 10
573	573
574	574	(I) IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES ALTERING THE REFUND 11
575	575	VALUES IS NECESSARY TO MEET OR EXCEED PERFORMANCE T ARGETS; OR 12
576	576
577	577	(II) AT THE REQUEST OF A B EVERAGE CONTAINER 13
578	578	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION. 14
579	579
580	580	(3) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2032, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 15
581	581	INCREASE THE REFUND VALUES SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION 16
582	582	BY 5 CENTS IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES TH AT FOR 2 CONSECUTIVE 17
583	583	CALENDAR YEARS THE R EDEMPTION RATE WAS L ESS THAN 90% OF THE TOTAL 18
584	584	NUMBER OF BEVERAGE C ONTAINERS SOLD IN TH E STATE. 19
585	585
586	586	(B) A BEVERAGE CONTAINER D EPICTING THE INFORMA TION SPECIFIED IN 20
587	587	SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE SOLD TO A CON SUMER BEFORE 21
588	588	JANUARY 1, 2028. 22
589	589
590	590	(C) (1) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 23
591	591	BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2028: 24
592	592
593	593	(I) THE WHOLESALE PRICE A ND THE RETAIL PRICE OF A FULL 25
594	594	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER SHALL INCL UDE THE REFUND VALUE OF THE 26
595	595	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER; AND 27
596	596
597	597	(II) A RETAILER SHALL INCLU DE ON A CUSTOMER ’S SALES 28
598	598	RECEIPT THE REFUND V ALUE OF A REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S OLD BY 29
599	599	THE RETAILER TO THE CUSTOMER. 30
600	600	14 HOUSE BILL 232
601	601
602	602
603	603	(2) THE RETAIL PRICE OF A FULL REDEEMABLE BE VERAGE 1
604	604	CONTAINER SOLD BY AN ON–PREMISES SELLER MAY NOT INCLUDE THE REFU ND 2
605	605	VALUE OF THE REDEEMA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ER. 3
606	606
607	607	9–1742. 4
608	608
609	609	(A) (1) THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE A RANGE OF OPTIONS F OR 5
610	610	CUSTOMERS TO CONVENI ENTLY REDEEM EMPTY R EDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 6
611	611	CONTAINERS FOR THE FULL REFUND VALUE, INCLUDING: 7
612	612
613	613	(I) AT A RETAILER’S PLACE OF BUSINESS THROUGH DIRECT 8
614	614	TAKE–BACK BY THE RETAILER , REVERSE VENDING MACH INES, A BAG DROP 9
615	615	PROGRAM, OR OTHER REDEMPTION METHODS; 10
616	616
617	617	(II) DEDICATED AND CONVENI ENTLY LOCATED REDEMP TION 11
618	618	FACILITIES OPERATED BY RETAILERS, PUBLIC ENTITIES , OR THE BEVERAGE 12
619	619	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATION ; AND 13
620	620
621	621	(III) PLACING REDEEMABLE BE VERAGE CONTAINER 14
622	622	REDEMPTION AND PROCE SSING METHODS , SUCH AS REVERSE VEND ING MACHINES , 15
623	623	BAG DROP PROGRAMS , AND ACCOUNT –BASED BULK PROCESSING PR OGRAMS, IN 16
624	624	AREAS: 17
625	625
626	626	1. WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF PEDESTRIANS ; AND 18
627	627
628	628	2. WHERE INDIVIDUALS PUR CHASE OR USE BEVERAG E 19
629	629	CONTAINERS. 20
630	630
631	631	(2) THE PROGRAM SHALL PROVIDE A RANGE OF OPTIONS F OR 21
632	632	ON–PREMISES SELLERS TO CONVENIENTLY REDEEM EMPTY RE DEEMABLE 22
633	633	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FOR THE FULL REFUND VALUE, INCLUDING: 23
634	634
635	635	(I) AN ACCOUNT–BASED REFUND ISSUED BY THE BEVERAGE 24
636	636	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATION OR IT S AGENTS FOLLOWING T HE 25
637	637	COLLECTION OF EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS BY THE BE VERAGE 26
638	638	CONTAINER STEWARDSHIP OR GANIZATION OR ITS AG ENTS FROM THE ON –PREMISES 27
639	639	SELLER; OR 28
640	640
641	641	(II) AN ACCOUNT–BASED REFUND ISSUED BY THE OPERATOR OF 29
642	642	A BAG DROP PROGRAM . 30
643	643
644	644	(B) (1) A PERSON SHALL APPLY T O THE DEPARTMENT FOR A LICE NSE TO 31
645	645	OPERATE A REDEMPTION FACILITY IN THE STATE. 32 HOUSE BILL 232 15
646	646
647	647
648	648
649	649	(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVE LOP STANDARDS AND A 1
650	650	LICENSING PROCESS FO R THE ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF RED EMPTION 2
651	651	FACILITIES. 3
652	652
653	653	(C) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION , A REDEMPTION 4
654	654	FACILITY SHALL ACCEP T ALL TYPES OF EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 5
655	655	CONTAINERS FOR REDEM PTION. 6
656	656
657	657	(D) A RETAILER OR REDEMPTI ON FACILITY MAY REFU SE TO ACCEPT AN 7
658	658	EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE CONTAINER THAT : 8
659	659
660	660	(1) IS DIRTY; 9
661	661
662	662	(2) IS BROKEN; 10
663	663
664	664	(3) CONTAINS MATERIAL FOR EIGN TO THE NORMAL C ONTENTS OF 11
665	665	THE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ER; OR 12
666	666
667	667	(4) THE RETAILER OR REDEM PTION FACILITY BELIE VES WAS NOT 13
668	668	SOLD IN THE STATE. 14
669	669
670	670	(E) (1) THIS SUBSECTION APPLI ES TO A RETAILER WIT H AT LEAST 3,000 15
671	671	SQUARE FEET OF SALES FLOOR SPACE AND AT L EAST 150 SQUARE FEET OF SHELF 16
672	672	SPACE DEDICATED TO T HE DISPLAY OF REDEEM ABLE BEVERAGE CONTAI NERS. 17
673	673
674	674	(2) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION , A RETAILER 18
675	675	SHALL: 19
676	676
677	677	(I) ESTABLISH AND MAINTAI N A DEDICATED AREA AT THE 20
678	678	RETAILER’S PLACE OF BUSINESS TO ACCEPT EMPTY REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE 21
679	679	CONTAINERS; 22
680	680
681	681	(II) ACCEPT AT THE RETAILE R’S PLACE OF BUSINESS ANY 23
682	682	EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE CONTAINERS RET URNED FOR REDEMPTION 24
683	683	DURING THE RETAILER ’S BUSINESS HOURS ; AND 25
684	684
685	685	(III) PAY TO THE REDEEMER T HE REFUND VALUE FOR EACH 26
686	686	EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE CONTAINER REDE EMED. 27
687	687
688	688	(3) RETAILERS MAY MEET TH E REQUIREMENTS IN PA RAGRAPH (2) OF 28
689	689	THIS SUBSECTION THRO UGH VARIOUS METHODS , INCLUDING: 29
690	690	16 HOUSE BILL 232
691	691
692	692
693	693	(I) SUPPLEMENTING THE MAN UAL COLLECTION AND STORING 1
694	694	OF REDEEMED REDEEMAB LE BEVERAGE CONTAINE RS WITH A REVERSE VE NDING 2
695	695	MACHINE, A BAG DROP PROGRAM , OR OTHER COUNTING AN D SORTING METHODS ; 3
696	696	AND 4
697	697
698	698	(II) GROUPING BEVERAGE CON TAINER REDEMPTION AN D 5
699	699	PROCESSING METHODS W ITH THOSE OF OTHER R ETAILERS IF: 6
700	700
701	701	1. THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 7
702	702	ORGANIZATION APPROVE S THE PROPOSAL ; AND 8
703	703
704	704	2. THE RETAILERS PARTICI PATING IN THE GROUPE D 9
705	705	METHODS PROVIDE CONS ISTENT SERVICE , MARKETING, AND SITE REDEMPTION 10
706	706	LOCATIONS THAT COMPL Y WITH DISTANCE PROV ISIONS DETERMINE D BY THE 11
707	707	DEPARTMENT . 12
708	708
709	709	(4) A RETAILER WITHIN AN A REA THAT MEETS THE C ONVENIENCE 13
710	710	STANDARDS ESTABLISHE D BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1751 OF THIS 14
711	711	SUBTITLE MAY BE EXEM PT FROM THE REQUIREM ENTS OF THIS SUBSECT ION IF THE 15
712	712	RETAILER: 16
713	713
714	714	(I) IS LOCATED IN CLOSE P ROXIMITY TO A REDEMPTI ON 17
715	715	FACILITY IN THAT ARE A; AND 18
716	716
717	717	(II) SHARES THE COST OF TH E OPERATION OF THE 19
718	718	REDEMPTION FACILITY WITH THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 20
719	719	ORGANIZATION . 21
720	720
721	721	(5) THE DEPARTMENT MAY : 22
722	722
723	723	(I) SET STANDARDS FOR THE NUMBER OF REVERSE VE NDING 23
724	724	MACHINES REQUIRED FO R RETAILERS LOCATED IN UNDERSERVED COMMU NITIES; 24
725	725	AND 25
726	726
727	727	(II) ESTABLISH A CAP FOR T HE NUMBER OF EMPTY 26
728	728	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS THAT MAY BE REDEEMED PER VISI T AT 27
729	729	SMALL RETAILERS . 28
730	730
731	731	(F) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, A RETAILER WITH LESS 29
732	732	THAN 3,000 SQUARE FEET OF SALES FLOOR SPACE OR LESS THAN 150 SQUARE FEET 30
733	733	OF SHELF SPACE DEDIC ATED TO THE DISPLAY OF REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE 31
734	734	CONTAINERS SHALL : 32
735	735	HOUSE BILL 232 17
736	736
737	737
738	738	(1) PROVIDE ON–SITE CASH REFUNDS FO R THE REDEMPTION OF ANY 1
739	739	EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE CONTAINER THAT IS OF THE SAME MATERIAL AND 2
740	740	SIZE AS THOSE THAT A RE SOLD BY THE RETAI LER IF THE EMPTY RED EEMABLE 3
741	741	BEVERAGE CONTAINER B EING REDEEMED IS NOT ACCEPTED BY A REVERS E 4
742	742	VENDING MACHINE ; AND 5
743	743
744	744	(2) POST AT THE RETAILER ’S ENTRANCE THE ADDRE SS OF THE 6
745	745	NEAREST REVERSE VEND ING MACHINE OR OTHER REDEMPTION METHOD TH AT 7
746	746	PROVIDES AN IMMEDIAT E CASH REFUND FOR RE DEEMING EMPTY REDEEM ABLE 8
747	747	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS . 9
748	748
749	749	(G) (1) A PERSON THAT PROVIDES A REVERSE VENDING MA CHINE FOR 10
750	750	THE REDEMPTION OF EM PTY REDEEMABLE BEVER AGE CONTAINERS SHALL : 11
751	751
752	752	(I) PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR REDEEMING EMPTY REDE EMABLE 12
753	753	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS WHEN THE REVERSE VEN DING MACHINE IS FULL , BROKEN, 13
754	754	OR UNDER REPAIR ; AND 14
755	755
756	756	(II) PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR REDEEMING ANY EMPTY 15
757	757	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS NOT ACCEPTED BY THE REVE RSE VENDING 16
758	758	MACHINE. 17
759	759
760	760	(2) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A PROCESS FOR 18
761	761	SUBMITTING FOR REVIE W, APPROVING, AND MONITORING AN AC COUNT–BASED 19
762	762	BULK PROCESSING PROG RAM THAT: 20
763	763
764	764	1. ENSURES THAT THE PROG RAM WILL ACCURATELY 21
765	765	REFUND DEPOSI TS AND MAINTAIN AND REPORT DATA FROM EAC H TRANSACTION ; 22
766	766	AND 23
767	767
768	768	2. IDENTIFIES THE INFORM ATION THAT MUST BE 24
769	769	SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROV AL OF THE PROGRAM . 25
770	770
771	771	(II) A PERSON THAT INTENDS TO PROVIDE AN ACCOUN T–BASED 26
772	772	BULK PROCESSING PROG RAM FOR THE R EDEMPTION OF EMPTY R EDEEMABLE 27
773	773	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SHALL SUBMIT INFORMA TION IDENTIFIED UNDE R 28
774	774	SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROV AL OF 29
775	775	THE PROGRAM . 30
776	776
777	777	(H) REFUNDS PROVIDED FOR AN EMPTY REDEEMED RE DEEMABLE 31
778	778	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S HALL BE: 32
779	779
780	780	(1) IN CASH; 33 18 HOUSE BILL 232
781	781
782	782
783	783
784	784	(2) IN THE FORM OF A RECE IPT FROM A REVERSE V ENDING MACHINE 1
785	785	IF: 2
786	786
787	787	(I) THE RECEIPT CAN BE EX CHANGED FOR CASH WIT HIN 60 3
788	788	DAYS AFTER THE RECEI PT IS ISSUED; AND 4
789	789
790	790	(II) THERE IS NO REQUIREME NT THAT OTHER GOODS BE 5
791	791	PURCHASED TO RECEIVE THE CASH REFUND ; OR 6
792	792
793	793	(3) CREDITED TO AN ACCOUN T BY THE RECEIVER OF THE EMPTY 7
794	794	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER SO THAT TH E CONSUMER CAN RECEI VE THE 8
795	795	REFUND OR A REFUND R ECEIPT WITHIN A SPEC IFIED NUMBER OF DAYS , AS 9
796	796	DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT , AFTER REDEEMING THE EMPTY REDEEMABLE 10
797	797	BEVERAGE CONTAINER . 11
798	798
799	799	(I) (1) A REDEMPTION FACILITY , RETAILER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON 12
800	800	THAT ACCEPTS REDEEMA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ERS FOR REDEMPTION S HALL BE 13
801	801	REIMBURSED BY THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION OR ITS 14
802	802	AGENT FOR THE HANDLING OF EACH EMP TY REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE CONTAINER 15
803	803	REDEEMED . 16
804	804
805	805	(2) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SET A HANDLING FEE TO BE PAID 17
806	806	BY THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION OR ITS AGENT TO A 18
807	807	REDEMPTION FACILITY , RETAILER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON THAT AC CEPTS EMPTY 19
808	808	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FOR REDEM PTION. 20
809	809
810	810	(II) 1. THE HANDLING FEE SHAL L BE SET AT AN AMOUN T 21
811	811	THAT COVERS THE COST S OF COLLECTING , SORTING, PROCESSING, AND 22
812	812	TRANSPORTING EMPTY R EDEEMABLE BEVERAGE C ONTAINERS FOR RECYC LING, 23
813	813	REUSE, OR REFILLING. 24
814	814
815	815	2. THE DEPARTMENT MAY INCREA SE THE HANDLING 25
816	816	FEE IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES AN INCREASE IS NECES SARY TO ENCOURAGE 26
817	817	THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE REDEMPTION FACI LITIES. 27
818	818
819	819	(J) (1) AN ON–PREMISES SELLER THAT PROVIDES EMPTY REDEEMABLE 28
820	820	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FOR REDEMPTION SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE 29
821	821	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION OR ITS AGENT FOR : 30
822	822
823	823	(I) THE REFUNDS PAID BY T HE ON–PREMISES SELLER FOR THE 31
824	824	EMPTY REDEEMED REDEE MABLE BEVERAGE CONTA INERS; AND 32
825	825	HOUSE BILL 232 19
826	826
827	827
828	828	(II) THE HANDLING OF EACH EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE 1
829	829	CONTAINER REDEEMED . 2
830	830
831	831	(2) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SET A MATERIAL HANDLING FEE 3
832	832	TO BE PAID BY THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION OR ITS 4
833	833	AGENT TO AN ON –PREMISES SELLER THAT PROVIDES EMPTY RED EEMABLE 5
834	834	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FOR REDEMPTION . 6
835	835
836	836	(II) THE HANDLING FEE SHAL L BE SET AT AN AMOUN T THAT 7
837	837	COVERS THE COSTS OF TEMPORARY STORAGE , PRELIMINARY SORTING , AND 8
838	838	PREPARING EACH REDEE MABLE BEVERAGE CONTA INER REDEEMED FOR 9
839	839	COLLECTION. 10
840	840
841	841	(3) THE BEVERAGE C ONTAINER STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATION OR ITS 11
842	842	AGENT SHALL PROVIDE TO AN ON–PREMISES SELLER : 12
843	843
844	844	(I) ANY RECEPTACLES OR BA GS REQUIRED FOR THE 13
845	845	PRELIMINARY SORTING OF REDEEMED REDEEMAB LE BEVERAGE CONTAINE RS BY 14
846	846	THE ON–PREMISES SELLER ; AND 15
847	847
848	848	(II) ANY LABELS NECE SSARY FOR ATTRIBUTIN G THE 16
849	849	REDEEMED REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS TO THE ON–PREMISES SELLER . 17
850	850
851	851	(K) A DEPOSIT INITIATOR TH AT COLLECTS A DEPOSI T FROM A RETAILER , 18
852	852	REDEMPTION FACILITY , OR ANY OTHER PERSON THAT AC CEPTS REDEEMABLE 19
853	853	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FOR REDEMP TION SHALL ACCOUNT F OR ANY DEPOSITS IN 20
854	854	ACCORDANCE WITH § 9–1743 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 21
855	855
856	856	(L) REDEEMED EMPTY REDEEM ABLE BEVERAGE CONTAI NERS SHALL BE 22
857	857	COLLECTED FOR RETURN TO THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 23
858	858	ORGANIZATION FOR SAL E AS SCRAP MATERIAL TO FINANCE THE PROGRAM. 24
859	859
860	860	9–1743. 25
861	861
862	862	(A) A DEPOSIT INITIATOR SH ALL DEPOSIT ANY DEPO SITS COLLECTED 26
863	863	UNDER § 9–1742 OF THIS SUBTITLE INTO A DEPOSIT COLLE CTION ACCOUNT THAT I S 27
864	864	MAINTAINED SEPARATEL Y FROM ALL OTHER REV ENUES. 28
865	865
866	866	(B) THE FUNDS IN THE DEPO SIT COLLECTION ACCOU NT MAY BE USED ONLY 29
867	867	TO PAY THE REFUND VA LUE OF AN EMPTY REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE CONT AINER 30
868	868	BEING REDEEMED . 31
869	869
870	870	(C) A DEPOSIT INITIATOR SH ALL REPORT TO THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 32 20 HOUSE BILL 232
871	871
872	872
873	873	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION, AT A FREQUENCY DETER MINED BY THE 1
874	874	DEPARTMENT , THE FOLLOWING INFORM ATION: 2
875	875
876	876	(1) THE NUMBER OF REDEEMA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ERS SOLD 3
877	877	AND EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS REDEEMED SINCE THE L AST 4
878	878	REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE BEVERAGE CONT AINER STEWARDSHIP 5
879	879	ORGANIZATION UNDER T HIS SUBSECTION ; 6
880	880
881	881	(2) THE FUNDS DEPOSITED I NTO THE DEPOSIT COLLECTIO N 7
882	882	ACCOUNT AND THE REFU NDS ISSUED FROM THE DEPOSIT COLLECTION A CCOUNT 8
883	883	SINCE THE LAST REPOR T WAS SUBMITTED TO T HE BEVERAGE CONTAINE R 9
884	884	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION UNDER THIS SUBS ECTION; 10
885	885
886	886	(3) ANY INCOME EARNED ON THE FUNDS IN THE DEP OSIT 11
887	887	COLLECTION ACCOUNT SINCE THE LAST REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE 12
888	888	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION UNDER THIS SUBSE CTION; 13
889	889
890	890	(4) THE BALANCE OF THE DE POSIT COLLECTION ACC OUNT; AND 14
891	891
892	892	(5) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 15
893	893
894	894	(D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DETER MINE THE POINT AT WH ICH A 16
895	895	DEPOSIT BECOMES AN U NCLAIMED DEPOSIT . 17
896	896
897	897	(2) UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS AR E CALCULATED AS THE AMOUNT OF 18
898	898	FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO A DEPOSIT COLLECTION ACCOUNT THAT ARE IN EXCESS 19
899	899	OF THE SUM OF: 20
900	900
901	901	(I) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS ON THE DEPOSIT COLLE CTION 21
902	902	ACCOUNT DURING THE T IME FOR WHICH UNCLAI MED DEPOSITS ARE BEI NG 22
903	903	CALCULATED ; AND 23
904	904
905	905	(II) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF T HE REFUND VALUE RECE IVED FOR 24
906	906	THE EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS REDEEMED DURING THE TIME 25
907	907	FOR WHICH THE UNCLAI MED DEPOSITS ARE BEING CAL CULATED. 26
908	908
909	909	(3) A DEPOSIT INITIATOR SH ALL TRANSFER ALL UNC LAIMED 27
910	910	DEPOSITS TO THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION AT A 28
911	911	FREQUENCY DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 29
912	912
913	913	(4) THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION 30
914	914	SHALL: 31
915	915	HOUSE BILL 232 21
916	916
917	917
918	918	(I) ESTABLISH A RESERVE A CCOUNT TO MANAGE ALL 1
919	919	UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS ; AND 2
920	920
921	921	(II) TRANSFER 10% OF ALL UNCLAIMED DEP OSITS TO THE 3
922	922	DEPARTMENT WITH A FRE QUENCY DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 4
923	923
924	924	(5) THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION 5
925	925	SHALL USE THE FU NDS IN THE RESERVE A CCOUNT ESTABLISHED U NDER 6
926	926	PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION T O: 7
927	927
928	928	(I) ACHIEVE THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATED 8
929	929	IN § 9–1738 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 9
930	930
931	931	(II) MEET OR EXCEED THE PE RFORMANCE TARGETS 10
932	932	ESTABLISHED IN § 9–1740 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 11
933	933
934	934	(6) (I) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TRAN SFER ANY UNCLAIMED 12
935	935	DEPOSITS RECEIVED UN DER THIS PARAGRAPH T O THE STATE RECYCLING TRUST 13
936	936	FUND UNDER § 9–1707(F) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 14
937	937
938	938	(II) THE UNCLAIMED DEPOSIT S TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE 15
939	939	RECYCLING TRUST FUND MAY BE USED ONLY FOR THE CO STS OF ADMINISTERING 16
940	940	AND FINANCING THE GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1750 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 17
941	941
942	942	9–1744. 18
943	943
944	944	(A) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THIS SECTION 19
945	945	APPLIES TO A PRODUCE R THAT SELLS , OFFERS FOR SALE , OR DISTRIBUTES 20
946	946	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAI NERS IN THE STATE. 21
947	947
948	948	(2) (I) IF THE BEVERAGE CONTA INER IS SOLD UNDER T HE 22
949	949	PRODUCER’S OWN BRAND OR LACKS IDENTIFICATION OF A BRAND, THE PRODUCER 23
950	950	IS THE PERSON THAT M ANUFACTURES THE REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE CONT AINER. 24
951	951
952	952	(II) IF THE REDEEMABL E BEVERAGE CONTAINER IS 25
953	953	MANUFACTURED BY A PE RSON OTHER THAN THE BRAND OWNER , THE PRODUCER IS 26
954	954	THE PERSON THAT IS T HE LICENSEE OF A BRA ND OR TRADEMARK UNDE R WHICH A 27
955	955	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER IS SOLD , OFFERED FOR SALE , OR 28
956	956	DISTRIBUTED IN THE STATE, WHETHER OR NOT THE TRADEMARK IS REGISTERED IN 29
957	957	THE STATE, UNLESS ANOTHER RESPO NSIBLE PERSON HAS CO NTRACTUALLY 30
958	958	ACCEPTED RESPONSIBIL ITY AS THE PRODUCER AND HAS JOINED THE BEVERAGE 31
959	959	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATION AS TH E PRODUCER RESPONSIB LE FOR 32
960	960	THE REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINER UNDER THIS SECTION. 33 22 HOUSE BILL 232
961	961
962	962
963	963
964	964	(III) IF THERE IS NO PERSON DESCRIBED IN THIS PA RAGRAPH 1
965	965	OVER WHOM THE STATE CAN CONSTITUTIO NALLY EXERCISE JURIS DICTION, THE 2
966	966	PRODUCER IS THE PERS ON THAT IMPORTS OR D ISTRIBUTES THE REDEE MABLE 3
967	967	BEVERAGE CONTAINER I N THE STATE. 4
968	968
969	969	(3) IF ANOTHER PERSON CON TRACTUALLY ACCEPTS 5
970	970	RESPONSIBILITY AS A PRODUCER UNDER PARAG RAPH (2)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTION , 6
971	971	THE PRODUCER MUST PR OVIDE A CERTIFIED CO PY OF THE CONTRACTUA L 7
972	972	AGREEMENT TO THE BEV ERAGE CONTAINER STEW ARDSHIP ORGANIZATION . 8
973	973
974	974	(B) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2028, A PRODUCER MAY NOT S ELL, OFFER FOR 9
975	975	SALE, OR DISTRIBUTE IN OR IMPORT INTO THE STATE A REDEEMABLE BE VERAGE 10
976	976	CONTAINER UNLESS THE PRODUCER: 11
977	977
978	978	(1) IS REGISTERED WITH TH E DEPARTMENT IN ACCORDA NCE WITH 12
979	979	THIS SECTION; 13
980	980
981	981	(2) HAS PAID THE REGISTRATION FEE UNDER SUBSECTION (F) OF 14
982	982	THIS SECTION; AND 15
983	983
984	984	(3) IS PART OF THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 16
985	985	ORGANIZATION THAT : 17
986	986
987	987	(I) HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 18
988	988	9–1745 OF THIS SUBTITLE ; AND 19
989	989
990	990	(II) HAS A BEVERAGE CONTAI NER STE WARDSHIP PLAN 20
991	991	APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1746 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 21
992	992
993	993	(C) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2027, THE 22
994	994	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION SHALL PROVIDE TO THE 23
995	995	DEPARTMENT : 24
996	996
997	997	(1) A LIST OF EACH PRODUCE R PARTICIPATING IN THE BEVERAGE 25
998	998	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATION ; AND 26
999	999
1000	1000	(2) FOR EACH PRODUCER , THE REGISTRATION FOR M REQUIRED 27
1001	1001	UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION. 28
1002	1002
1003	1003	(D) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CREA TE A REGISTRATION FO RM THAT 29
1004	1004	REQUIRES EACH PRODUC ER PARTICIPATING IN THE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ER 30
1005	1005	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATIO N: 31 HOUSE BILL 232 23
1006	1006
1007	1007
1008	1008
1009	1009	(I) THE NAME, PRIMARY BUSINESS ADD RESS, AND CONTACT 1
1010	1010	INFORMATION OF THE P ERSON RESPONSIBLE FO R ENSURING COMPLIANC E WITH 2
1011	1011	THIS PART; 3
1012	1012
1013	1013	(II) A LIST OF EACH BRAND O F REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 4
1014	1014	CONTAINERS THAT THE PRODUCER INTENDS TO SELL, OFFER FOR SALE , OR 5
1015	1015	DISTRIBUTE IN THE STATE, INCLUDING THE SIZE A ND MATERIAL OF THE 6
1016	1016	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS FOR EACH BRAND; 7
1017	1017
1018	1018	(III) FOR EACH REDEEMABLE B EVERAGE CONTAINER SP ECIFIED 8
1019	1019	IN THE REGISTRATION , WHETHER THE REDEEMAB LE BEVERAGE CONTAINE R: 9
1020	1020
1021	1021	1. IS REFILLABLE; AND 10
1022	1022
1023	1023	2. DEPICTS A UPC OR MARYLAND–SPECIFIC UPC 11
1024	1024	BARCODE; 12
1025	1025
1026	1026	(IV) HOW EACH PRODUCER WIL L PREVENT THE FRAUDU LENT 13
1027	1027	SALE AND REDEMPTION OF RE DEEMABLE BEVERAGE CO NTAINERS THAT WERE N OT 14
1028	1028	SOLD IN THE STATE; 15
1029	1029
1030	1030	(V) THE NUMBER OF REDEEMA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ERS 16
1031	1031	EACH PRODUCER SOLD I N THE STATE IN THE IMMEDIAT ELY PRECEDING CALEND AR 17
1032	1032	YEAR; AND 18
1033	1033
1034	1034	(VI) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE 19
1035	1035	DEPARTMENT . 20
1036	1036
1037	1037	(2) A PRODUCER SHALL SUBMI T A COMPLETED REGIST RATION FORM 21
1038	1038	TO THE BEVERAGE CONT AINER STEWARDSHIP OR GANIZATION THAT REPR ESENTS 22
1039	1039	THE PRODUCER . 23
1040	1040
1041	1041	(E) ON A SCHEDULE DETERMINE D BY THE DEPARTMENT , EACH PRODUCER 24
1042	1042	SHALL PAY A REGISTRA TION FEE ES TABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER 25
1043	1043	SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION. 26
1044	1044
1045	1045	(F) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH AN ANNUAL REGI STRATION 27
1046	1046	FEE FOR PRODUCERS TH AT SELL REDEEMABLE B EVERAGE CONTAINERS I N THE 28
1047	1047	STATE. 29
1048	1048
1049	1049	(2) THE REGISTRATION FEE SHALL BE SET IN A MA NNER THAT: 30
1050	1050	24 HOUSE BILL 232
1051	1051
1052	1052
1053	1053	(I) WHEN TAKEN IN COMBINA TION WITH ANTICIPATE D 1
1054	1054	REVENUES FROM PENALT IES COLLECTED UNDER § 9–1754 OF THIS SUBTITLE, WILL 2
1055	1055	PRODUCE FUNDS SUFFIC IENT TO COVER THE DEPARTMENT ’S ESTIMATED COSTS OF 3
1056	1056	PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING , ADMINISTERING , MONITORING , ENFORCING, AND 4
1057	1057	EVALUATING THE PROGRAM FOR THE UPCOM ING YEAR; 5
1058	1058
1059	1059	(II) FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM DURING WHICH 6
1060	1060	REGISTRATION FEES AR E COLLECTED, SHALL COVER THE STAR T–UP COSTS OF THE 7
1061	1061	PROGRAM THAT WERE INC URRED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND FINANC ED FROM THE 8
1062	1062	GENERAL FUND; AND 9
1063	1063
1064	1064	(III) IS PROPORTIONAL TO A PRODUCER’S SHARE OF THE TOTAL 10
1065	1065	NUMBER OF REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CO NTAINERS SOLD IN THE STATE FOR THE 11
1066	1066	IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G CALENDAR YEAR . 12
1067	1067
1068	1068	(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 13
1069	1069
1070	1070	(I) IF THE REVENUES FROM THE REGISTRATION FEE S IN THE 14
1071	1071	IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G YEAR EXCEED THE CO STS SPECIFIED IN PAR AGRAPH 15
1072	1072	(2)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION , CARRY THE EXCESS REV ENUES FORWARD TO RED UCE 16
1073	1073	REGISTRATION FEES TH E FOLLOWING YEAR ; AND 17
1074	1074
1075	1075	(II) IF THE REVENUES FROM THE REGISTRATION FEE S IN THE 18
1076	1076	IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G YEAR DO NOT COVER THE COSTS SPECIFIED IN 19
1077	1077	PARAGRAPH (2)(I) OF THIS SUBSECTION , ADJUST REGI STRATION FEES FOR TH E 20
1078	1078	FOLLOWING YEAR TO AN AMOUNT THAT WILL COV ER THE DEPARTMENT ’S ACTUAL 21
1079	1079	COSTS FROM THE IMMED IATELY PRECEDING YEA R. 22
1080	1080
1081	1081	(4) (I) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS 23
1082	1082	PARAGRAPH , REGISTRATION FEES CO LLECTED UNDER THIS S UBSECTION SH ALL BE: 24
1083	1083
1084	1084	1. TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE RECYCLING TRUST 25
1085	1085	FUND UNDER § 9–1707(F) OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 26
1086	1086
1087	1087	2. USED ONLY TO COVER TH E DEPARTMENT ’S COSTS OF 27
1088	1088	PLANNING, IMPLEMENTING , ADMINISTERING , MONITORING , ENFORCING, AND 28
1089	1089	EVALUATING THE PROGRAM. 29
1090	1090
1091	1091	(II) THE PORTION OF THE RE GISTRATION FEES THAT COVERED 30
1092	1092	THE START–UP COSTS OF THE PROGRAM AND WERE FINA NCED FROM THE GENERAL 31
1093	1093	FUND DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PROGRAM FOR WHICH REG ISTRATION FEES 32
1094	1094	ARE COLLECTED IN ACC ORDANCE WITH PARAGRA PH (2)(II) OF THIS SUBSECTIO N 33
1095	1095	SHALL BE DEPOSITED I NTO THE GENERAL FUND. 34 HOUSE BILL 232 25
1096	1096
1097	1097
1098	1098
1099	1099	9–1745. 1
1100	1100
1101	1101	(A) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT MAY APPROV E, 2
1102	1102	FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 10 YEARS, A SINGLE BEVERAGE CO NTAINER 3
1103	1103	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION TO REPRESENT ALL PRO DUCERS IN FULFILLING THE 4
1104	1104	REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PART , IF THE BEVERAGE CONT AINER STEWARDSHIP 5
1105	1105	ORGANIZATION DEMONST RATES THAT IT HAS : 6
1106	1106
1107	1107	(1) THE ABILITY, AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT , TO 7
1108	1108	ADMINISTER THE REQUI REMENTS OF A BEVERAG E CONTAINER STEWARDS HIP PLAN 8
1109	1109	UNDER § 9–1746 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 9
1110	1110
1111	1111	(2) A GOVERNING BOARD CONS ISTING OF PRODUCERS THAT 10
1112	1112	REPRESENT THE DIVERS ITY OF APPLICABLE RE DEEMABLE BEVERAGE CO NTAINERS 11
1113	1113	IN THE MARKET ; 12
1114	1114
1115	1115	(3) SET NO UNREASONABLE B ARRIERS TO JOINING T HE BEVERAGE 13
1116	1116	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATION AND W ILL TAKE INTO CO NSIDERATION 14
1117	1117	THE NEEDS OF SMALL P RODUCERS THAT DO NOT GENERATE A HIGH VOLU ME OF 15
1118	1118	CONTAINERS; 16
1119	1119
1120	1120	(4) ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RE SPONSIBILITY AND SAF EGUARDS, 17
1121	1121	INCLUDING FRAUD PREV ENTION MEASURES AND AN AUDIT SCHEDULE ; 18
1122	1122
1123	1123	(5) THE ABILITY TO SECURE THE CAPITAL NECESSAR Y FOR THE 19
1124	1124	INITIAL INVESTMENT I N INFRASTRUCTURE , SORTING EQUIPMENT , SOFTWARE, 20
1125	1125	TRANSPORTATION , AND OTHER START –UP EXPENSES; AND 21
1126	1126
1127	1127	(6) MET ANY OTHER REQUIRE MENTS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT . 22
1128	1128
1129	1129	(B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY RENEW THE APPROVAL OF THE BEVERAGE 23
1130	1130	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATION UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS 24
1131	1131	SECTION IF THE BEVER AGE CONTAINER STEWAR DSHIP ORGANIZATION C ONTINUES 25
1132	1132	TO MEET THE REQUIREM ENTS OF THIS SECTION AND ANY OTHER REQUIR EMENT SET 26
1133	1133	BY THE DEPARTMENT . 27
1134	1134
1135	1135	(C) (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REVO KE THE APPROVAL OF THE 28
1136	1136	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION IF THE DEPARTMENT 29
1137	1137	DETERMINES THAT THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION: 30
1138	1138
1139	1139	(I) FAILED TO MEET THE RE QUIREMENTS OF THIS S ECTION; OR 31
1140	1140	26 HOUSE BILL 232
1141	1141
1142	1142
1143	1143	(II) FAILED TO IMPLEMENT AND ADMINIS TER AN APPROVED 1
1144	1144	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP PLAN IN A CCORDANCE WITH § 9–1746 OF 2
1145	1145	THIS SUBTITLE. 3
1146	1146
1147	1147	(2) IF THE DEPARTMENT REVOKES TH E APPROVAL OF THE 4
1148	1148	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF 5
1149	1149	THIS SUBSECTION : 6
1150	1150
1151	1151	(I) THE DEPARTMENT MAY APPROV E ONE OR MORE 7
1152	1152	ADDITIONAL BEVERAGE CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P ORGANIZATIONS TO C ARRY OUT 8
1153	1153	THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BEVERAGE CONT AINER STEWARDSHIP 9
1154	1154	ORGANIZATION THAT WA S REVOKED , SUBJECT TO ONE OR MO RE OF THE 10
1155	1155	ADDITIONAL BEVERAGE CONTAINER STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZATIONS MEETIN G THE 11
1156	1156	REQUIREMENTS SPECIFI ED IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION; AND 12
1157	1157
1158	1158	(II) THE TRUSTEE OR ESCROW AGENT OF THE TRUST F UND OR 13
1159	1159	ESCROW ACCOUNT ESTAB LISHED IN THE BEVERA GE CONTAINER STEWARD SHIP 14
1160	1160	PLAN UNDER § 9–1746(A)(3)(VI) OF THIS SUBTITLE SHALL: 15
1161	1161
1162	1162	1. RECEIVE ALL PAYMENTS DIRECTLY FROM 16
1163	1163	PRODUCERS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID TO TH E BEVERAGE CONTAINER 17
1164	1164	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION; 18
1165	1165
1166	1166	2. DEPOSIT THE PAYMENTS RECEIVED UNDER ITEM 1 OF 19
1167	1167	THIS ITEM INTO THE T RUST FUND OR ESCROW ACCOUNT; AND 20
1168	1168
1169	1169	3. MAKE PAYMENTS FROM TH E TRUST FUND OR ESCR OW 21
1170	1170	ACCOUNT AS DIRECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEME NT THE REQUIREMENTS 22
1171	1171	OF THIS PART. 23
1172	1172
1173	1173	9–1746. 24
1174	1174
1175	1175	(A) (1) ON OR BEFORE MARCH 1, 2027, THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 25
1176	1176	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION SHALL SUBMIT A BEVERAGE CONTAINER 26
1177	1177	STEWARDSHIP PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT . 27
1178	1178
1179	1179	(2) A BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP PLAN SHAL L: 28
1180	1180
1181	1181	(I) IDENTIFY AND INCLUDE THE CONTACT INFORMAT ION FOR 29
1182	1182	EACH PRODUCER INTEND ED TO BE COVERED UND ER THE PLAN; 30
1183	1183
1184	1184	(II) IDENTIFY EACH BRAND O F REDEEMABLE BEVERAG E 31
1185	1185	CONTAINER INTENDED T O BE SOLD UNDER THE PLAN, INCLUDING THE SIZE A ND 32 HOUSE BILL 232 27
1186	1186
1187	1187
1188	1188	MATERIAL OF THE REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE CONT AINERS FOR EACH BRAN D AND 1
1189	1189	WHETHER THE REDEEMAB LE BEVERAGE CONTAINE RS ARE REFILLABLE ; 2
1190	1190
1191	1191	(III) DESCRIBE: 3
1192	1192
1193	1193	1. THE FINANCING INFORMA TION SPECIFIED IN 4
1194	1194	PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION ; 5
1195	1195
1196	1196	2. HOW THE PERFORMANCE T ARGETS WILL BE MET O R 6
1197	1197	EXCEEDED FOR THE 5–YEAR PERIOD FOLLOWIN G THE YEAR IN WHICH THE PLAN IS 7
1198	1198	APPROVED; 8
1199	1199
1200	1200	3. HOW STAKEHOLDER COMME NTS WERE CONS IDERED 9
1201	1201	AND REFLECTED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE P LAN, INCLUDING THE ROLE O F 10
1202	1202	RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS , AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT S IN PLAN IMPLEMENTA TION; 11
1203	1203
1204	1204	4. THE ADMINISTRATION AN D IMPLEMENTATION OF 12
1205	1205	THE PLAN, INCLUDING ANY STAFFI NG THAT WILL BE NECE SSARY FOR T HESE 13
1206	1206	PURPOSES; 14
1207	1207
1208	1208	5. THE ACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND THAT 15
1209	1209	WILL BE TAKEN FOR PU BLIC OUTREACH , EDUCATION, AND COMMUNICATION , 16
1210	1210	INCLUDING MESSAGING AND IDENTIFICATION O F TARGET AUDIENCES ; AND 17
1211	1211
1212	1212	6. THE ANTICIPATED INVES TMENTS THAT WILL BE 18
1213	1213	MADE TO IMPROVE THE REUSE OF BEVERAGE CONTAINERS , INCLUDING THE 19
1214	1214	SOURCE OF FUNDING FO R THE INVESTMENTS ; 20
1215	1215
1216	1216	(IV) LIST THE STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTED IN DEVELOP ING THE 21
1217	1217	PLAN; 22
1218	1218
1219	1219	(V) PROVIDE THE ANTICIPAT ED COSTS OF IMPLEMEN TING THE 23
1220	1220	PLAN FOR 5 YEARS, BROKEN DOWN BY YEAR ; 24
1221	1221
1222	1222	(VI) INCLUDE A CLOSURE AND TRANSFER PLAN FOR HA NDLING 25
1223	1223	THE AFFAIRS OF THE B EVERAGE CONTAINER ST EWARDSHIP ORGANIZATI ON THAT 26
1224	1224	ENSURES THAT EACH PR ODUCER INTENDED TO B E COVERED UNDER THE BEVERAGE 27
1225	1225	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN CAN FULFILL T HE PRODUCER ’S OBLIGATIONS IN 28
1226	1226	THE EVENT THAT THE B EVERAGE CONTAINER ST EWARDSHIP ORGANIZATI ON 29
1227	1227	DISSOLVES OR HAS ITS APPROVAL REVOKED UNDER § 9–1745 OF THIS SUBTITLE ; 30
1228	1228	AND 31
1229	1229
1230	1230	(VII) INCLUDE ANY OTHER INF ORMATION REQUESTED B Y THE 32 28 HOUSE BILL 232
1231	1231
1232	1232
1233	1233	DEPARTMENT . 1
1234	1234
1235	1235	(3) THE FINANCING INFORMA TION INCLUDED IN A BEVERA GE 2
1236	1236	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN SHALL: 3
1237	1237
1238	1238	(I) EXPLAIN THE FINANCING FOR DIRECT INVESTMEN TS OR 4
1239	1239	REIMBURSEMENTS THAT WILL IMPROVE INFRAST RUCTURE IN A MANNER THAT 5
1240	1240	SUPPORTS REDEMPTION SERVICES AND TECHNOL OGIES; 6
1241	1241
1242	1242	(II) ESTABLISH A FEE STRUC TURE IN ACCORDANCE WI TH 7
1243	1243	PARAGRAPH (4) OF THIS SUBSECTION F OR PRODUCERS PARTICI PATING IN THE 8
1244	1244	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION; 9
1245	1245
1246	1246	(III) DESCRIBE THE COSTS OF MEETING THE PERFORMA NCE 10
1247	1247	TARGETS; 11
1248	1248
1249	1249	(IV) DESCRIBE THE INCENTIV ES USED TO ENCOURAGE 12
1250	1250	PRODUCERS TO: 13
1251	1251
1252	1252	1. INVEST IN REUSABLE AN D REFILLABLE BEVERAG E 14
1253	1253	CONTAINER SYSTEMS ; AND 15
1254	1254
1255	1255	2. REDESIGN BEVERAGE CON TAINERS TO BE EASIER 16
1256	1256	AND LESS COSTLY TO R ECYCLE; 17
1257	1257
1258	1258	(V) CREATE INCENTIVES FOR PRODUCERS TO USE A 18
1259	1259	MARYLAND–SPECIFIC UPC BARCODE TO REDUCE FR AUDULENT REDEMPTION ; 19
1260	1260
1261	1261	(VI) ESTABLISH A TRUST FUN D OR AN ESCROW ACCOU NT IN THE 20
1262	1262	STATE INTO WHICH THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION 21
1263	1263	SHALL DEPOSIT ALL UN EXPENDED FUNDS FOR U SE IN ACCORDANCE WIT H THIS 22
1264	1264	SECTION IN THE EVENT THAT THE BEVERAGE CO NTAINER STEWARDSHIP 23
1265	1265	ORGANIZATION DISSOLV ES OR HAS ITS APPROV AL REVOKED BY THE DEPARTMENT 24
1266	1266	UNDER § 9–1745 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 25
1267	1267
1268	1268	(VII) MEET ANY OTHER REQUIR EMENTS ESTABLISHED B Y THE 26
1269	1269	DEPARTMENT . 27
1270	1270
1271	1271	(4) (I) THE FEE STRUCTURE REQ UIRED UNDER PARAGRAP H (3) OF 28
1272	1272	THIS SUBSECTION FOR PRO DUCERS PARTICIPATING IN THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 29
1273	1273	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION SHALL BE: 30
1274	1274
1275	1275	1. SET IN A MANNER THAT COVERS THE COSTS OF 31 HOUSE BILL 232 29
1276	1276
1277	1277
1278	1278	ADMINISTERING THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION AND 1
1279	1279	IMPLEMENTING THE BEV ERAGE CONTAINER STE WARDSHIP PLAN ; AND 2
1280	1280
1281	1281	2. BASED ON: 3
1282	1282
1283	1283	A. THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSPORTING , 4
1284	1284	COLLECTING, AND PROCESSING EACH TYPE OF REDEEMABLE B EVERAGE 5
1285	1285	CONTAINER MATERIAL ; 6
1286	1286
1287	1287	B. WHETHER A PRODUCER ’S REDEEMABLE BEVERAG E 7
1288	1288	CONTAINERS ARE REFIL LABLE; 8
1289	1289
1290	1290	C. WHETHER A PRODUCER ’S EMPTY REDEEMABLE 9
1291	1291	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ARE EASY TO RECYCLE ; 10
1292	1292
1293	1293	D. WHETHER A PRODUCER ’S REDEEMABLE BEVERAG E 11
1294	1294	CONTAINERS HAVE A MARYLAND–SPECIFIC UPC BARCODE; 12
1295	1295
1296	1296	E. A PRODUCER’S PORTION, BY MATERIAL TYPE , OF 13
1297	1297	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN THE STATE DURING THE PREV IOUS 14
1298	1298	CALENDAR YEAR ; AND 15
1299	1299
1300	1300	F. ANY OTHER FACTOR THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES 16
1301	1301	IS NECESSARY TO SUPP ORT THE PROGRAM. 17
1302	1302
1303	1303	(II) 1. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN § 9–1745(C)(2) OF THIS 18
1304	1304	SUBTITLE, A PRODUCER PARTICIPA TING IN THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 19
1305	1305	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION SHALL PAY THE F EE ESTABLISHED UNDER 20
1306	1306	PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION T O THE BEVERAGE CONTA INER STEWARDSHIP 21
1307	1307	ORGANIZATION . 22
1308	1308
1309	1309	2. THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 23
1310	1310	ORGANIZATION SHALL D EPOSIT FEES RECEIVED UNDER THIS SUBPARAGRAPH TO AN 24
1311	1311	ACCOUNT HELD BY THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION. 25
1312	1312
1313	1313	3. THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 26
1314	1314	ORGANIZATION MAY USE THE FEES RECEIVED UN DER THIS SUBPARAGRAP H ONLY 27
1315	1315	FOR IMPLEMENTING THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP PLAN . 28
1316	1316
1317	1317	(5) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SUBM IT A BEVERAGE CONTAI NER 29
1318	1318	STEWARDSHIP PLAN TO AN INDEPENDENT FINAN CIAL AUDITOR TO ENSU RE THAT 30
1319	1319	THE FINANCING PROPOS ED IN THE PLAN WILL COVER THE COSTS OF I MPLEMENTING 31
1320	1320	THE PLAN. 32 30 HOUSE BILL 232
1321	1321
1322	1322
1323	1323
1324	1324	(B) (1) (I) WITHIN 120 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT O F A BEVERAGE 1
1325	1325	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS 2
1326	1326	SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL APPR OVE, APPROVE WITH CONDITI ONS, OR 3
1327	1327	DENY THE PLAN . 4
1328	1328
1329	1329	(II) IN DETERMINING WHETHE R TO APPROVE , APPROVE WITH 5
1330	1330	CONDITIONS, OR DENY A BEVERAGE C ONTAINER STEWARDSHIP PLAN , THE 6
1331	1331	DEPARTMENT SHALL : 7
1332	1332
1333	1333	1. CONSIDER WHETHER : 8
1334	1334
1335	1335	A. THE PLAN COMPLIES WIT H THE REQUIREMENTS O F 9
1336	1336	THIS SECTION; AND 10
1337	1337
1338	1338	B. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT ENGAGEMENT WITH 11
1339	1339	STAKEHOLDERS , INCLUDING LOCAL GOVE RNMENTS, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS , 12
1340	1340	AND ON–PREMISES SELLERS , IN DEVELOPING THE PL AN; AND 13
1341	1341
1342	1342	2. CONSULT WITH THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. 14
1343	1343
1344	1344	(2) (I) THE DEPARTMENT MAY RESCIN D APPROVAL OF A 15
1345	1345	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP PLAN FOR GOOD CAUSE. 16
1346	1346
1347	1347	(II) THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION 17
1348	1348	MAY AMEND A RESCINDED BE VERAGE CONTAINER STE WARDSHIP PLAN AND SU BMIT 18
1349	1349	THE AMENDED PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROV AL. 19
1350	1350
1351	1351	(3) (I) A BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP PLAN APPR OVED 20
1352	1352	BY THE DEPARTMENT MAY BE AME NDED WITH APPROVAL O F THE DEPARTMENT . 21
1353	1353
1354	1354	(II) THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUIRE T HAT AN APPROVED 22
1355	1355	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP PLAN BE A MENDED IF THE REPORT 23
1356	1356	SUBMITTED UNDER § 9–1747 OF THIS SUBTITLE REFLECTS THAT THE 24
1357	1357	PERFORMANCE TARGETS HAVE NOT BEEN MET . 25
1358	1358
1359	1359	(C) AN APPROVED BEVERAGE CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN EXPIRES AT 26
1360	1360	THE END OF 5 YEARS. 27
1361	1361
1362	1362	(D) (1) THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION 28
1363	1363	SHALL IMPLEMENT AND ADMINISTER A BEVERAG E CONTAINER STEWARDS HIP PLAN 29
1364	1364	WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PLA N IS APPROVED. 30
1365	1365	HOUSE BILL 232 31
1366	1366
1367	1367
1368	1368	(2) IN IMPLEMENTING AND A DMINISTERING A BEVER AGE CONTAINER 1
1369	1369	STEWARDSHIP PLAN , THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION 2
1370	1370	SHALL: 3
1371	1371
1372	1372	(I) FACILITATE LOGISTICS , THE INITIATION OF DE POSITS, AND 4
1373	1373	THE ISSUANCE OF REFU NDS UNDER THE PLAN ; 5
1374	1374
1375	1375	(II) COORDINATE THE LOGIST ICS FOR TIMELY COLLECTION OF 6
1376	1376	REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE CONTAINERS FRO M AN ON–PREMISES SELLER ; 7
1377	1377
1378	1378	(III) ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR TRACKING REDEEMA BLE 8
1379	1379	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN THE STATE; 9
1380	1380
1381	1381	(IV) DESIGN AND OPERATE SE RVICES FOR THE 10
1382	1382	TRANSPORTATION AND P ROCESSING OF REDEEMA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ERS; 11
1383	1383
1384	1384	(V) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN FOR ESTABLISH ING, 12
1385	1385	OPERATING, AND MANAGING REDEMPT ION FACILITIES THAT WILL OFFER A WIDE 13
1386	1386	RANGE OF CONVENIENT REDEMPTION LOCATIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES THA T ARE 14
1387	1387	EASY TO USE, ACCESSIBLE, AND MEET OR EXCEED T HE CONVENIENCE STAND ARDS 15
1388	1388	ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1751 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 16
1389	1389
1390	1390	(VI) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN FOR THE DISTR IBUTION, 17
1391	1391	OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF B EVERAGE CONTAINER RE DEMPTION AND 18
1392	1392	PROCESSING METHODS , INCLUDING REVERSE VE NDING MACHINES , BAG DROP 19
1393	1393	PROGRAMS, AND ACCOUNT –BASED BULK PROCESSIN G PROGRAMS ; 20
1394	1394
1395	1395	(VII) DEVELOP ACCOUNTING AN D CONTROL STANDARDS ; 21
1396	1396
1397	1397	(VIII) IMPLEMENT ACCOUNTING , AUDIT, PAYMENT, AND 22
1398	1398	REPORTING PROCEDURES ; 23
1399	1399
1400	1400	(IX) ESTABLISH A HIGH –VOLUME VALIDATION AN D AUDIT 24
1401	1401	SYSTEM TO PAY A BULK RATE TO AN ON–PREMISES SELLER FOR THE REDEMPTION 25
1402	1402	OF EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ; 26
1403	1403
1404	1404	(X) ESTABLISH AN APPLICAT ION PROCESS FOR LARG E 27
1405	1405	ON–PREMISES SELLERS TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIV E A BULK RATE FOR TH E 28
1406	1406	REDEMPTION OF HIGH V OLUMES OF EMPTY REDE EMABLE BE VERAGE CONTAINERS ; 29
1407	1407
1408	1408	(XI) MARKET REDEEMABLE BEV ERAGE CONTAINER MATE RIALS 30
1409	1409	FOR REUSE IN THE MAN UFACTURING OF SIMILA R PRODUCTS; 31
1410	1410	32 HOUSE BILL 232
1411	1411
1412	1412
1413	1413	(XII) FUND A MARKETING PROG RAM TO EDUCATE THE P UBLIC 1
1414	1414	ABOUT THE PROGRAM; 2
1415	1415
1416	1416	(XIII) ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FO R REPORTING KEY INFO RMATION 3
1417	1417	GATHERED BY THE PROGRAM TO THE DEPARTMENT ON A QUART ERLY BASIS; AND 4
1418	1418
1419	1419	(XIV) CREATE INCENTIVES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF 5
1420	1420	REFILLABLE AND REUSA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ER SYSTEMS. 6
1421	1421
1422	1422	(3) ON REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT , THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 7
1423	1423	STEWARDSHIP ORGANI ZATION SHALL SUBMIT A COPY OF ITS FINANC IAL RECORDS 8
1424	1424	TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR A FINA NCIAL AUDIT. 9
1425	1425
1426	1426	9–1747. 10
1427	1427
1428	1428	(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 11
1429	1429	ORGANIZATION THAT HA S A BEVERAGE CONTAIN ER STEWARDSHIP PLAN APPROVED 12
1430	1430	BY THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1746 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 13
1431	1431
1432	1432	(B) (1) ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1 EACH YEAR, BEGINNING IN 2029, THE 14
1433	1433	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZ ATION SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO 15
1434	1434	THE DEPARTMENT ON THE PRO GRESS MADE IN THE PR ECEDING CALENDAR YEA R 16
1435	1435	TOWARD MEETING THE P ERFORMANCE TARGETS A ND THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM 17
1436	1436	AND THE BEVERAGE CON TAINER STEWARDSHIP O RGANIZATION’S BEVERAGE 18
1437	1437	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN. 19
1438	1438
1439	1439	(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE THE ADVISORY COUNCIL 20
1440	1440	WITH A COPY OF EACH REPORT SUBMITTED UND ER THIS SUBSECTION . 21
1441	1441
1442	1442	(C) THE REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION 22
1443	1443	SHALL INCLUDE , FOR THE PRECEDING CA LENDAR YEAR : 23
1444	1444
1445	1445	(1) THE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD ACHIEVING THE PERFORMANCE 24
1446	1446	TARGETS; 25
1447	1447
1448	1448	(2) IF THE PERFORMANCE TA RGETS WERE NOT ACHIE VED, A 26
1449	1449	DESCRIPTION OF THE A CTIONS PROPOSED TO A CHIEVE THE PERFORMAN CE 27
1450	1450	TARGETS; 28
1451	1451
1452	1452	(3) THE NUMBER OF REDEEMA BLE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ERS SOLD IN 29
1453	1453	THE STATE; 30
1454	1454
1455	1455	(4) THE NUMBE R OF REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN 31 HOUSE BILL 232 33
1456	1456
1457	1457
1458	1458	THE STATE SORTED BY MATER IAL TYPE, REFUND VALUE , AND WHETHER THE 1
1459	1459	CONTAINER CAN BE REF ILLED OR REUSED ; 2
1460	1460
1461	1461	(5) THE NUMBER OF EMPTY R EDEEMABLE BEVERAGE C ONTAINERS 3
1462	1462	REDEEMED ; 4
1463	1463
1464	1464	(6) THE NUMBER OF EMPTY R EDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINERS 5
1465	1465	REDEEMED AT EACH RED EMPTION FACILITY , REVERSE VENDING MACH INE, BAG 6
1466	1466	DROP PROGRAM , ACCOUNT–BASED BULK PROCESSIN G PROGRAM , OR OTHER 7
1467	1467	BEVERAGE CONTAINER R EDEMPTION AND PROCES SING METHOD SORTED B Y 8
1468	1468	MATERIAL TYPE , REFUND VALUE , AND WHETHER THE EMPT Y REDEEMABLE 9
1469	1469	BEVERAGE CONTAINER C AN BE REFILLED OR RE USED; 10
1470	1470
1471	1471	(7) THE REDEMPTION RATE A ND RECYCLING RATE FO R 11
1472	1472	NONREFILLABLE REDEEM ABLE BEVERAGE CONTAI NERS SOLD IN THE STATE 12
1473	1473	SORTED BY MATERIAL T YPE, NUMBER OF CONTAINERS SOLD, AND CONTAINER 13
1474	1474	WEIGHT; 14
1475	1475
1476	1476	(8) THE AMOUNT OF EACH TYPE OF: 15
1477	1477
1478	1478	(I) REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE C ONTAINER MATERIAL 16
1479	1479	COLLECTED IN THE STATE; AND 17
1480	1480
1481	1481	(II) SCRAP MATERIAL SOLD B Y THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 18
1482	1482	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION; 19
1483	1483
1484	1484	(9) THE LOCATION OF EACH REDEMPTION FACILITY IN THE STATE 20
1485	1485	AND THE REDEMP TION METHOD USED AT EACH REDEMPTION FACI LITY; 21
1486	1486
1487	1487	(10) A DESCRIPTION OF ANY I MPROVEMENTS MADE TO MAKE 22
1488	1488	RETURNING EMPTY REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE CONT AINERS EASIER AND MO RE 23
1489	1489	CONVENIENT ; 24
1490	1490
1491	1491	(11) THE IDENTIFICATION AN D DESCRIPTION OF ARE AS THAT DO NOT 25
1492	1492	HAVE READILY AVAILABLE OPTIONS FO R REDEEMING AN EMPTY REDEEMABLE 26
1493	1493	BEVERAGE CONTAINER A ND ACTIONS THE BEVER AGE CONTAINER STEWAR DSHIP 27
1494	1494	ORGANIZATION WILL TA KE TO IMPROVE OPTION S IN THESE AREAS; 28
1495	1495
1496	1496	(12) THE NUMBER OF CONSUME R COMPLAINTS PER MON TH, SORTED 29
1497	1497	BY REDEMPTION FACILI TY; 30
1498	1498
1499	1499	(13) THE NUMBER AND TYPE O F COMPLAINTS FROM ON–PREMISES 31
1500	1500	SELLERS PER MONTH , SORTED BY TYPE OF BU SINESS; 32 34 HOUSE BILL 232
1501	1501
1502	1502
1503	1503
1504	1504	(14) THE NUMBER OF INDIVID UALS AND ORGANIZATIO NS WITH 1
1505	1505	ACCOUNTS ESTABLISHED FOR THE RECEIPT OF E LECTRONIC DEPOSITS O R 2
1506	1506	REFUNDS; 3
1507	1507
1508	1508	(15) THE TOTAL COST OF IMPLEMENTING THE BEVERAGE CONTAIN ER 4
1509	1509	STEWARDSHIP PLAN , AS DETERMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT FINANCIA L AUDITOR 5
1510	1510	UNDER § 9–1746(A)(5) OF THIS SUBTITLE; 6
1511	1511
1512	1512	(16) THE AVERAGE COST OF P ROCESSING AN EMPTY R EDEEMED 7
1513	1513	REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER; 8
1514	1514
1515	1515	(17) A COPY OF THE AUDIT CONDUCTE D UNDER § 9–1746(A)(5) OF 9
1516	1516	THIS SUBTITLE; 10
1517	1517
1518	1518	(18) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DETAILING ALL DEPOSI TS RECEIVED 11
1519	1519	AND REFUNDS ISSUED B Y EACH PRODUCER COVE RED UNDER THE BEVERA GE 12
1520	1520	CONTAINER STEWARDSHI P PLAN; 13
1521	1521
1522	1522	(19) THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF D EPOSITS INITIATED, REFUNDS ISSUED , 14
1523	1523	AND UNCLAIMED DEPOSI TS COLLECTED UNDER T HE BEVERAGE CONTAINE R 15
1524	1524	STEWARDSHIP PLAN ; 16
1525	1525
1526	1526	(20) AN ACCOUNTING OF ALL ACTIVITIES AND INVES TMENTS 17
1527	1527	FINANCED BY UNCLAIME D DEPOSITS; 18
1528	1528
1529	1529	(21) EXPENDITURES AND REVE NUES SORTED BY SOURC E, INCLUDING 19
1530	1530	FEES PAID UNDER § 9–1746(A)(4) OF THIS SUBTITLE , REVENUE FROM THE SAL E OF 20
1531	1531	SCRAP MATERIALS , AND UNCLAIMED DEPOSI TS; 21
1532	1532
1533	1533	(22) SAMPLES OF ALL EDUCAT IONAL MATERIALS PROV IDED TO 22
1534	1534	CONSUMERS , RETAILERS, AND OTHER ENTITIES ; 23
1535	1535
1536	1536	(23) A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENTS M ADE IN NEW 24
1537	1537	REDEMPTION FACILITIE S AND REDEMPTION MET HODS; 25
1538	1538
1539	1539	(24) THE LOCATION OF NEW R EDEMPTION FACILITIES AND 26
1540	1540	REDEMPTION METHODS ; 27
1541	1541
1542	1542	(25) A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES MADE BY P RODUCERS TO 28
1543	1543	INCREASE THE RECYCLA BILITY OF REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ; 29
1544	1544
1545	1545	(26) A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ANY INCIDENTS OF FRAUD AND 30 HOUSE BILL 232 35
1546	1546
1547	1547
1548	1548	EFFORTS TAKEN TO PRE VENT FRAUD; AND 1
1549	1549
1550	1550	(27) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 2
1551	1551
1552	1552	(D) THE FINANCIAL , PRODUCTION , AND SALES DATA OF IN DIVIDUAL 3
1553	1553	PRODUCERS REPORTED T O THE DEPARTMENT UNDER THIS SECTION S HALL BE 4
1554	1554	KEPT CONFIDENTIAL BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. 5
1555	1555
1556	1556	(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL POST THE REPORT SUBMITTED UNDER THIS 6
1557	1557	SECTION ON THE DEPARTMENT ’S WEBSITE IN A MANNE R THAT PROTECTS THE 7
1558	1558	CONFIDENTIALITY OF T HE DATA SPECIFIE D UNDER SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS 8
1559	1559	SECTION. 9
1560	1560
1561	1561	9–1748. 10
1562	1562
1563	1563	(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH A PROCESS FOR A COUNTY OR 11
1564	1564	MUNICIPAL CORPORATIO N TO CREATE A REDEMP TION FACILITY. 12
1565	1565
1566	1566	(B) EMPTY REDEEMABLE BEVE RAGE CONTAINERS REDE EMED AT A 13
1567	1567	REDEMPTION FACILITY MANAGED BY A COUNTY OR MUNICIPA L CORPORATION 14
1568	1568	SHALL BE CREDITED TO WARD MEETING THE REC YCLING RATES REQUIRE D UNDER § 15
1569	1569	9–505 OF THIS TITLE. 16
1570	1570
1571	1571	(C) (1) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2030, A PORTION OF PROGRAM 17
1572	1572	REVENUES SHALL BE US ED TO COMPENSATE A C OUNTY OR MUNICIPAL 18
1573	1573	CORPORATION FO R ANY NET LOSS OF RE VENUE TO THE COUNTY ’S OR MUNICIPAL 19
1574	1574	CORPORATION ’S WASTE MANAGEMENT S YSTEM THAT CAN BE DO CUMENTED AND 20
1575	1575	ATTRIBUTED TO THE PROGRAM. 21
1576	1576
1577	1577	(2) IN DETERMINING A NET LOSS OF REVENUE , A COUNTY OR 22
1578	1578	MUNICIPAL CORPORATIO N SHALL CONSIDER : 23
1579	1579
1580	1580	(I) THE LOSS OF REVENUE FROM T HE SALE OF SCRAP 24
1581	1581	MATERIALS; 25
1582	1582
1583	1583	(II) FINANCIAL SAVINGS FRO M A REDUCTION IN : 26
1584	1584
1585	1585	1. GLASS BOTTLES IN THE RECYCLING STREAM ; 27
1586	1586
1587	1587	2. TRANSPORTATION COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH 28
1588	1588	CURBSIDE COLLECTION OF TRASH AND RECYCLI NG; 29
1589	1589
1590	1590	3. PROCESSING COSTS ASSO CIATED WITH RECYCLIN G 30 36 HOUSE BILL 232
1591	1591
1592	1592
1593	1593	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ; 1
1594	1594
1595	1595	4. THE COSTS OF LANDFILL ING AND INCINERATING 2
1596	1596	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS THAT ARE NOT RECYCLE D; AND 3
1597	1597
1598	1598	5. THE COSTS OF LITTER C OLLECTION; AND 4
1599	1599
1600	1600	(III) FOR A COUNTY OR MUNIC IPAL CORPORATION THA T HAS A 5
1601	1601	TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOAD FOR TRASH IN A WATERWAY UNDER ITS 6
1602	1602	JURISDICTION, THE REDUCED COSTS AN D INCREASED BENEFITS OF COMPLYING 7
1603	1603	WITH THE TOTAL MAXIM UM DAILY LOAD DUE TO A REDUCTION IN BEVER AGE 8
1604	1604	CONTAINER LITTER . 9
1605	1605
1606	1606	9–1749. 10
1607	1607
1608	1608	FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM SH ALL: 11
1609	1609
1610	1610	(1) INCLUDE: 12
1611	1611
1612	1612	(I) REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE C ONTAINER STEWARDSHIP 13
1613	1613	ORGANIZATION FEES CO LLECTED UNDER § 9–1746 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 14
1614	1614
1615	1615	(II) REVENUE FROM THE SALE OF RAW MATERIALS ; 15
1616	1616
1617	1617	(III) UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS CO LLECTED UNDER § 9–1743 OF 16
1618	1618	THIS SUBTITLE; 17
1619	1619
1620	1620	(IV) REGISTRATION FEES COL LECTED UNDER § 9–1744 OF THIS 18
1621	1621	SUBTITLE; AND 19
1622	1622
1623	1623	(V) PENALTIES COLLECTED U NDER § 9–1754 OF THIS 20
1624	1624	SUBTITLE; AND 21
1625	1625
1626	1626	(2) BE USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH §§ 9–1707(F), 9–1743, 9–1744, 22
1627	1627	AND 9–1754 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 23
1628	1628
1629	1629	9–1750. 24
1630	1630
1631	1631	(A) THERE IS A BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING REFUND GRANT 25
1632	1632	PROGRAM. 26
1633	1633
1634	1634	(B) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING: 27
1635	1635	HOUSE BILL 232 37
1636	1636
1637	1637
1638	1638	(1) FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE INVESTMENTS AND POLI CIES 1
1639	1639	NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT, BY DECEMBER 31, 2035, AT LEAST 10% OF ALL 2
1640	1640	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS SOLD IN THE STATE ARE RETURNED AN D REFILLED; AND 3
1641	1641
1642	1642	(2) FOR PROJECTS THAT : 4
1643	1643
1644	1644	(I) INCREASE THE REUSE AN D RECYCLING OF BEVER AGE 5
1645	1645	CONTAINERS IN THE STATE; 6
1646	1646
1647	1647	(II) INCREASE THE AVAILABI LITY OF PUBLIC WATER 7
1648	1648	FOUNTAINS A ND REFILL STATIONS I N THE STATE; AND 8
1649	1649
1650	1650	(III) REDUCE THE VOLUME OF LITTER FROM BEVERAGE 9
1651	1651	CONTAINERS IN THE STATE. 10
1652	1652
1653	1653	(C) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMI NISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM. 11
1654	1654
1655	1655	(D) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE GRANT 12
1656	1656	PROGRAM SHALL BE FUNDED FROM A PORTIO N OF THE UNCLAIMED D EPOSITS 13
1657	1657	TRANSFERRED TO THE S EPARATE ACCOUNT ESTA BLISHED UNDER § 9–1707(F)(7) OF 14
1658	1658	THIS SUBTITLE. 15
1659	1659
1660	1660	(2) THE GRANT PROGRAM MAY AWARD UP TO $5,000,000 IN GRANTS 16
1661	1661	EACH YEAR FROM THE U NCLAIMED DEPOSITS TR ANSFERRED TO THE SE PARATE 17
1662	1662	ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED UNDER § 9–1707(F)(7) OF THIS SUBTITLE. 18
1663	1663
1664	1664	(E) THE FOLLOWING ENTITIE S ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THE 19
1665	1665	GRANT PROGRAM: 20
1666	1666
1667	1667	(1) A SCHOOL OR AN INSTITU TION OF HIGHER EDUCA TION; 21
1668	1668
1669	1669	(2) A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON; 22
1670	1670
1671	1671	(3) A COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CORPORATIO N; 23
1672	1672
1673	1673	(4) A FOR–PROFIT ORGANIZATION ; AND 24
1674	1674
1675	1675	(5) A PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP . 25
1676	1676
1677	1677	(F) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COUNCIL, 26
1678	1678	SHALL ADOPT REGULATI ONS ESTABLISHING : 27
1679	1679
1680	1680	(1) AN APPLICATION PROCES S FOR AN ENTITY TO A PPLY FOR A 28 38 HOUSE BILL 232
1681	1681
1682	1682
1683	1683	GRANT; 1
1684	1684
1685	1685	(2) THE CRITERIA FOR EVAL UATING AND AWARDING GRANTS; 2
1686	1686
1687	1687	(3) REPORTING AND EVALUAT ION REQUIREMENTS FOR A GRANT 3
1688	1688	AWARDED UNDER THIS S ECTION; AND 4
1689	1689
1690	1690	(4) ANY OTHER REQUIREMENT S THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES 5
1691	1691	ARE NECESSARY FOR AD MINISTERING AND IMPL EMENTING GRANTS AWARDED 6
1692	1692	UNDER THE GRANT PROGRAM. 7
1693	1693
1694	1694	(G) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BEGI N AWARDING GRANTS ON OR BEFORE 8
1695	1695	JANUARY 1, 2029. 9
1696	1696
1697	1697	9–1751. 10
1698	1698
1699	1699	IN ADDITION TO THE DU TIES AND REQUIREMENT S SPECIFIED IN THIS PART, 11
1700	1700	THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 12
1701	1701
1702	1702	(1) IN CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COUNCIL: 13
1703	1703
1704	1704	(I) ESTABLISH CONVENIENCE STANDARDS FOR THE CO VERAGE 14
1705	1705	AND AVAILABILITY OF REDEMPTION OPTIONS A CROSS THE STATE; AND 15
1706	1706
1707	1707	(II) ENSURE THE CONVENIENC E STANDARDS PROVIDE 16
1708	1708	ACCESSIBLE REDEMPTIO N OPTIONS FOR DIFFER ENTLY ABLED PEOPLE A ND PEOPLE 17
1709	1709	WHO LIVE IN RURAL AR EAS OR LOW–INCOME COMMUNITIES O F COLOR; 18
1710	1710
1711	1711	(2) ESTABLISH A SYSTEM FO R LARGE ON –PREMISES SELLERS TO 19
1712	1712	VERIFY THE SOURCE OF THE HIGH VOLUMES OF REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE 20
1713	1713	CONTAINERS REDEEMED BY THE ON–PREMISES SELLER ; AND 21
1714	1714
1715	1715	(3) PERIODICALLY REVIEW AVAILABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 22
1716	1716	REDEMPTION AND PROCE SSING METHODS TO DET ERMINE WHETHER THE TYPES OF 23
1717	1717	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE EXPANDED . 24
1718	1718
1719	1719	9–1752. 25
1720	1720
1721	1721	(A) THERE IS A REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING 26
1722	1722	REFUND ADVISORY COUNCIL. 27
1723	1723
1724	1724	(B) THE ADVISORY COUNCIL CONSISTS OF T HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS , 28
1725	1725	DESIGNATED BY THE SECRETARY: 29 HOUSE BILL 232 39
1726	1726
1727	1727
1728	1728
1729	1729	(1) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG RECYCLING PROCESSORS ; 1
1730	1730
1731	1731	(2) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 2
1732	1732	RESPONSIBLE FOR RECY CLING PROGRAMS ; 3
1733	1733
1734	1734	(3) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG GLASS MANUFACTURE RS OR A 4
1735	1735	GLASS MANUFACTURING TRADE ORGANIZATION ; 5
1736	1736
1737	1737	(4) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG ALUMINUM MANUFACT URERS OR 6
1738	1738	AN ALUMINUM MANUFACT URING TRADE ORGANIZA TION; 7
1739	1739
1740	1740	(5) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG PLASTIC MANUFACTU RERS OR A 8
1741	1741	PLASTIC MANUFACTURIN G TRADE ORGANIZATION ; 9
1742	1742
1743	1743	(6) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG BEVERAGE COMPANIE S; 10
1744	1744
1745	1745	(7) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG PURCHASERS OF REC YCLED 11
1746	1746	CONTENT; 12
1747	1747
1748	1748	(8) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG RETAILERS; 13
1749	1749
1750	1750	(9) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG RESTAURANTS OR OT HER 14
1751	1751	ON–PREMISES SELLERS ; 15
1752	1752
1753	1753	(10) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG REVERSE VENDING M ACHINE 16
1754	1754	BUSINESSES; 17
1755	1755
1756	1756	(11) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG ACCOUNT –BASED BULK 18
1757	1757	PROCESSORS ; 19
1758	1758
1759	1759	(12) ONE MEMBER REPRESENTI NG BUSINESSES INVOLV ED IN REUSE 20
1760	1760	AND REFILL SYSTEMS ; 21
1761	1761
1762	1762	(13) AT LEAST ONE MEMBER R EPRESENTING AN ENVIR ONMENTAL 22
1763	1763	ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIO N; 23
1764	1764
1765	1765	(14) AT LEAST ONE MEMBER R EPRESENTING AN ENVIR ONMENTAL 24
1766	1766	JUSTICE ADVOCACY ORG ANIZATION; AND 25
1767	1767
1768	1768	(15) AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF T HE GENERAL 26
1769	1769	PUBLIC AND RESIDE IN THE STATE. 27
1770	1770	40 HOUSE BILL 232
1771	1771
1772	1772
1773	1773	(C) THE SECRETARY SHALL DESIG NATE TWO COCHAIRS FR OM AMONG THE 1
1774	1774	MEMBERSHIP OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. 2
1775	1775
1776	1776	(D) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROV IDE STAFF FOR THE ADVISORY 3
1777	1777	COUNCIL. 4
1778	1778
1779	1779	(E) A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL: 5
1780	1780
1781	1781	(1) MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPE NSATION AS A MEMBER OF THE 6
1782	1782	ADVISORY COUNCIL; BUT 7
1783	1783
1784	1784	(2) IS ENTITLED TO REIMBU RSEMENT FOR EXPENSES UNDER THE 8
1785	1785	STANDARD STATE TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE BUDGET . 9
1786	1786
1787	1787	(F) THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL MEET : 10
1788	1788
1789	1789	(1) AT LEAST QUARTERLY EA CH YEAR; AND 11
1790	1790
1791	1791	(2) AS REQUESTED BY THE DEPARTMENT . 12
1792	1792
1793	1793	(G) THE ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL: 13
1794	1794
1795	1795	(1) ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON DETERMI NING WHETHER TO 14
1796	1796	APPROVE A BEVERAGE C ONTAINER STEWARDSHIP PLAN; 15
1797	1797
1798	1798	(2) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO T HE DEPARTMENT ON THE 16
1799	1799	IMPLEMENTATION OF AP PROVED BEVERAGE CONT AINER STEWARDSHIP PL ANS; 17
1800	1800
1801	1801	(3) REVIEW AND ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE ANN UAL 18
1802	1802	REPORTS SUBMITTED UN DER § 9–1747 OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 19
1803	1803
1804	1804	(4) ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE IMP LEMENTATION , 20
1805	1805	ADMINISTRATION , AND PERFORMANCE OF T HE PROGRAM. 21
1806	1806
1807	1807	9–1753. 22
1808	1808
1809	1809	(A) ON OR BEFORE JUNE 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADOP T 23
1810	1810	REGULATIONS TO CARRY OUT THIS PART. 24
1811	1811
1812	1812	(B) THE DEPARTMENT MAY EXPAND THE TYPES OF BEVERAGE CONTAINE RS 25
1813	1813	COVERED UNDER THE PROGRAM BY REGULATION IF , BASED ON ITS REVIEW UNDER 26
1814	1814	§ 9–1751(3) OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THERE ARE 27
1815	1815	CONVENIENT REDEMPTIO N OPTIONS FOR THOSE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S. 28 HOUSE BILL 232 41
1816	1816
1817	1817
1818	1818
1819	1819	9–1754. 1
1820	1820
1821	1821	(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (C) AND (D) OF THIS SECTION , 2
1822	1822	THE PROVISIONS OF §§ 9–334 THROUGH 9–344 OF THIS TITLE APPLY TO ENFORCE 3
1823	1823	VIOLATIONS OF THIS P ART. 4
1824	1824
1825	1825	(B) A PENALTY MAY NOT BE I MPOSED ON A PRODUCER FOR FAILING TO 5
1826	1826	PROPERLY REGISTER WI TH THE DEPARTMENT UNDER § 9–1744 OF THIS SUBTITLE , 6
1827	1827	INCLUDING FAILING TO IDENTIFY EACH BRAND OF REDE EMABLE BEVERAGE 7
1828	1828	CONTAINER THAT THE P RODUCER INTENDS TO S ELL, OFFER FOR SALE , OR 8
1829	1829	DISTRIBUTE IN THE STATE, UNLESS: 9
1830	1830
1831	1831	(1) THE DEPARTMENT FIRST ISSU ES A WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE 10
1832	1832	VIOLATION TO THE PRO DUCER; AND 11
1833	1833
1834	1834	(2) THE PRODUCER DOES NOT REGISTER WITHIN 90 DAYS AFTER 12
1835	1835	RECEIVING THE WRITTE N NOTICE. 13
1836	1836
1837	1837	(C) (1) A PERSON MAY NOT REDEE M, ATTEMPT TO REDEEM , RECEIVE, 14
1838	1838	STORE, TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTE, OR OTHERWISE FACILIT ATE OR AID IN THE 15
1839	1839	REDEMPTION OF THE FO LLOWING MATERIALS WI TH AN INTENT TO DEFR AUD: 16
1840	1840
1841	1841	(I) AN EMPTY REDEEMABLE B EVERAGE CONTAINER TH AT WAS 17
1842	1842	SOLD IN ANOTHER STAT E; 18
1843	1843
1844	1844	(II) AN EMPTY REDEEMABLE B EVERAGE CONTAINER TH AT WAS 19
1845	1845	REJECTED FOR REDEMPT ION; 20
1846	1846
1847	1847	(III) LINE BREAKAGE ; 21
1848	1848
1849	1849	(IV) A PREVIOUSLY REDEEMED REDEEMABLE BEVERAGE 22
1850	1850	CONTAINER; OR 23
1851	1851
1852	1852	(V) ANOTHER INELIGIBLE MA TERIAL. 24
1853	1853
1854	1854	(2) A PERSON MAY NOT DISPO SE OF A REDEEMED RED EEMABLE 25
1855	1855	BEVERAGE CONTAINER I N A LANDFILL OR AN I NCINERATOR . 26
1856	1856
1857	1857	(3) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTA BLISH ADMINISTRATIVE 27
1858	1858	PENALTIES FOR A VIOL ATION OF THIS SUBSEC TION THAT ARE BASED ON THE 28
1859	1859	NUMBER OF BEVERAGE C ONTAINERS AND REFUND AMOUNTS INVOLVED . 29
1860	1860	42 HOUSE BILL 232
1861	1861
1862	1862
1863	1863	(D) (1) BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2031, IF THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER 1
1864	1864	STEWARDSHIP ORGANIZA TION HAS NOT MET THE REDEMPTION RATES 2
1865	1865	ESTABLISHED IN § 9–1740 OF THIS SUBTITLE FOR THE IMMEDIATELY PREC EDING 2 3
1866	1866	YEARS, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ASSESS AN ADMINISTRATIVE PE NALTY ON THE 4
1867	1867	BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP ORGANIZAT ION. 5
1868	1868
1869	1869	(2) EACH YEAR THAT THE BEVERAGE CONTAINER S TEWARDSHIP 6
1870	1870	ORGANIZATION DOES NO T MEET THE REDE MPTION RATES ESTABLISHED IN § 9–1740 7
1871	1871	OF THIS SUBTITLE IS A SEPARATE VIOLATION UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N. 8
1872	1872
1873	1873	(3) AN ADMINISTRATIVE PEN ALTY ASSESSED UNDER THIS 9
1874	1874	SUBSECTION SHALL EQU AL THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REDEEMABLE BEVERA GE 10
1875	1875	CONTAINERS NEEDED TO BE REDEEMED TO MEE T THE REDEMPTION RAT ES 11
1876	1876	ESTABLISHED IN § 9–1740 OF THIS SUBTITLE, MINUS THE NUMBER OF REDEEMABLE 12
1877	1877	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ACTUALLY REDEEMED , MULTIPLIED BY THE REFUND 13
1878	1878	VALUE IN EFFECT AT T HE TIME THE VIOLATIO N OCCURRED . 14
1879	1879
1880	1880	(E) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ALTER THE ADMINISTRATIVE PENAL TIES 15
1881	1881	ASSESSED UNDER SUBSE CTIONS (C) AND (D) OF THIS SECTION AS N ECESSARY TO 16
1882	1882	ENSURE THAT THE PENA LTY AMOUNTS ASSESSED EXCEED THE COSTS OF 17
1883	1883	COMPLYING WITH THIS PART. 18
1884	1884
1885	1885	(F) PENALTIES COLLECTED U NDER THIS SECTION SH ALL BE: 19
1886	1886
1887	1887	(1) TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE RECYCLING TRUST FUND UNDER § 20
1888	1888	9–1707(F) OF THIS SUBTITLE; AND 21
1889	1889
1890	1890	(2) USED ONLY TO COVER TH E DEPARTMENT ’S COSTS OF PLANNING, 22
1891	1891	IMPLEMENTING , ADMINISTERING , MONITORING , ENFORCING, AND EVALUATING 23
1892	1892	THE PROGRAM. 24
1893	1893
1894	1894	9–1755. 25
1895	1895
1896	1896	ANY PERSON PARTICIPATING IN A BEVERAGE CONTAINER STEWARDSHIP 26
1897	1897	PLAN IN ACCORDANCE W ITH THIS SUBTITLE IS IMMUNE FROM LIABILIT Y UNDER 27
1898	1898	STATE LAWS CONCERNING ANTITRUST AND RESTRA INT OF TRADE FOR 28
1899	1899	COOPERATIVE ACTIVITI ES ASSOCIATED WITH T HE COLLECTION , TRANSPORT, 29
1900	1900	PROCESSING, RECYCLING, REUSE, AND MANAGEMENT OF EM PTY REDEEMABLE 30
1901	1901	BEVERAGE CONTAINERS . 31
1902	1902
1903	1903	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 32
1904	1904	1, 2025. 33