Resolved, There shall be a special commission to study the financial and environmental impacts of disposal and end-of-life management of mattresses and associated foundations on municipalities of the Commonwealth. The commission shall examine existing mattress management options, including recycling and disposal infrastructure, and make recommendations on policies and programs to increase mattress reuse and recycling, and to mitigate the financial and environmental costs of managing said materials. The commission shall review all aspects of mattress disposal and end-of-life management including, but not limited to: i) availability of local management options; ii) costs and benefits of existing options to taxpayers and municipalities; iii) programs and policies in other states that promote proper diversion of mattresses to reduce costs; iv) opportunities to increase additional community impacts through preferred partnerships with local nonprofit social enterprises and organizations that recycle mattresses; and v) programs and policies utilized in other states.

The commission shall consist of the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, or his/her designee, who shall serve as chair of the special commission; 2 members of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the President of the Senate and 1 by the Minority Leader; 2 members of the House, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker and 1 by the Minority Leader; 2 persons to be appointed by the Governor, 1 of whom shall have experience in integrated materials management and waste management and one of whom shall be a representative from a Massachusetts-based mattress recycling social enterprise program;  a representative of MassRecycle, Inc.; and a representative of the International Sleep Products Association. The commission shall convene its first meeting not later than March 1, 2018 and shall file a report along with any recommendations for legislative reform not later than August 31, 2018 with the Clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, the chairs of the Senate and House committees on Ways and Means, and the chairs of the joint committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.