The proposed General Assembly Committee Bill No. 1115 seeks to strengthen the enforcement of cross-border bottle redemption prohibitions by amending Section 22a-245 of the general statutes. Key changes include the requirement for individuals establishing a redemption center to receive approval and register annually with the Commissioner of Revenue Services, replacing the previous commissioner. The bill introduces new operational stipulations for redemption centers, such as the necessity for a floor plan that ensures adequate storage and safe access areas, and mandates that centers accepting over 1,200 containers from a single individual in one day must maintain detailed transaction records. Additionally, the Commissioner of Revenue Services is tasked with establishing an annual registration fee to support examination and enforcement actions.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of dealers and distributors regarding the acceptance and redemption of beverage containers, prohibiting dealers from refusing to accept empty containers unless specific conditions are met. It mandates that a conspicuous "Redemption Warning" sign be displayed at redemption centers, informing customers that returning containers not originally sold in Connecticut is illegal. Furthermore, operators are required to report monthly to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on redemption activities. The bill revises existing statutes related to financial handling and penalties for violations, introducing escalating fines for repeated offenses and granting the Commissioner of Revenue Services the authority to examine records and impose penalties. These changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, aiming to enhance compliance and accountability within Connecticut's beverage container redemption system.

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