DEPOSIT LAW:  BEVERAGE CONTAINERS                                                         H.B. 5660:

                                                                                               COMMITTEE SUMMARY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House Bill 5660 (as passed by the House)

Sponsor:  Representative Jim Stamas

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

 

Date Completed:  6-5-12

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend the beverage container deposit law to specify that "container composed of a combination of these materials", in the law's definition of "beverage container", would not include a container composed in whole or in part of aluminum and plastic or aluminum and paper in combination, if the aluminum content represented 20% or less of the unfilled container weight and the weight of the container materials represented 5% or less of the total weight of the filled container.

 

The law, which was enacted by initiative in 1976 and took effect in 1978, provides for a deposit to be paid on certain beverage containers and requires a dealer to accept the return of the containers and refund the deposit.  "Dealer" means a person who sells or offers for sale to consumers within Michigan a beverage in a beverage container. 

 

"Beverage container" is defined as an airtight metal, glass, paper, or plastic container, or a container composed of a combination of these materials, which, at the time of sale, contains one gallon or less of a beverage.  "Beverage" means a soft drink, soda water, carbonated natural or mineral water, or other nonalcoholic carbonated drink; beer, ale, or other malt drink of whatever alcoholic content; or a mixed wine drink or a mixed spirit drink.

 

MCL 445.571a                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

 

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

 

                                                                                        Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

 

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.