Amendment ID: S2829-67.1-R1

Redraft Further Amendment 67.1

Best Practices study on effective means of Recycling Bottles

Messrs. Tarr and Fattman move that the amendment be amended by inserting in proposed section 36M by adding at the end thereof the following subsection:-

“ (d) There shall be a commission to examine the effectiveness of bottle and beverage container recycling in the commonwealth and to study and make recommendations, if necessary, to improve the effectiveness of programs in the commonwealth designed to improve and increase the recycling of bottles and beverage containers as defined by section 321 of chapter 94. The commission shall review and report on the best practices in other states or countries.

The commission shall consist of : the chairs of the joint committee on telecommunications, utilities and energy, who shall serve as co-chairs; the commissioner of environmental protection or a designee; the commissioner of revenue or a designee; 2 members appointed by the senate president; 2 members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 1 member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives and 3 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall have expertise in beverage container recycling, 1 of whom  shall represent consumers and be familiar with container deposit systems and 1 of whom shall represent municipalities.

Annually, the commission shall conduct not less than 3 public hearings in geographically diverse locations of the commonwealth and, not later than April 30, submit a report and any recommendations to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives. The report shall detail findings from public hearings, best practices in other states and countries and any recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the commonwealth’s recycling programs.”