CHAPTER 700

H.P. 931 - L.D. 1257

An Act To Amend the Laws Concerning Returnable Beverage

Containers

Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas, the ability of initiators of deposit to enter into commingling agreements is of great benefit to those initiators, to redemption centers, to the environment and to the citizens of this State; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:

Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1866, sub-§4, ķE is enacted to read:

E.__Notwithstanding provisions of this subsection to the contrary, if a commingling agreement for a product group was filed with the department by March 1, 2004, an initiator of deposit, whether or not a party to that agreement, is not required to pay the 1/2__handling fee increase required by this subsection until July 1, 2004 for beverage containers in that product group picked up by the initiator between March 1, 2004 and July 1, 2004.__Beginning July 1, 2004, an initiator of deposit shall pay the 1/2__handling fee increase for beverage containers in that product group picked up by the initiator between March 1, 2004 and July 1,