Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1664, sub-§2, ¶C is enacted to read:

C.__Beginning January 1, 2007, manufacturers of thermostats containing mercury that are sold in this State shall pay, individually or collectively, a minimum of $5 for each thermostat containing mercury brought to a state-approved collection site.

Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §1664, sub-§2, ¶D is enacted to read:

D.__By January 1, 2007 and annually thereafter, manufacturers of thermostats containing mercury that are sold in this State shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters on any fee or other charge collected on the sale of new thermostats for the purpose of paying the cost of carrying out the manufacturers' responsibilities under paragraph C. The report must specify the amount of the fee or charge collected and how the amount of the fee or charge was determined. By July 1, 2008 and annually thereafter, those manufacturers shall report in writing to the department on the results of the thermostat collection and recycling efforts required under this section. The report must include, at a minimum, the number of thermostats containing mercury collected and recycled during the previous calendar year, the estimated total amount of mercury contained in the components and any recommendations to improve the future collection and recycling of thermostats containing mercury. By January 1, 2008 and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the department on the effectiveness of the thermostat collection and recycling efforts required under this section and whether the program should be terminated and, if so, when.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that beginning January 1, 2007 manufacturers of thermostats containing mercury that are sold in this State pay a minimum of $5 for each thermostat containing mercury brought to a state-approved collection site. This bill also requires that manufacturers of thermostats containing mercury that are sold in this State report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over natural resources matters on the fees imposed and to the Department of Environmental Protection on the results of the thermostat collection and recycling efforts.