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 Connecticut General Statutes. Key changes include the requirement for individuals establishing a redemption center to obtain annual approval and registration from 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, and mandates detailed record-keeping for centers accepting over 1,200 containers from a single individual in one day. Additionally, the Commissioner of Revenue Services is tasked with establishing an annual registration fee to support examination and enforcement actions.

The bill also revises existing statutes to make it illegal for individuals to return empty beverage containers not originally sold in the state or those that have already been redeemed. Dealers, redemption centers, and reverse vending machine operators are required to display a "Redemption Warning" sign to inform the public of the legal implications of such actions. Furthermore, the bill mandates monthly reporting by redemption center operators to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection on the types and quantities of containers redeemed. It also establishes a structured penalty system for violations, with increasing fines for repeat offenses, and grants the Commissioner the authority to suspend or revoke the registration of non-compliant redemption center operators. The changes will take effect on October 1, 2025, and include amendments to sections 22a-245, 22a-245a, and 22a-246.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill:
ENV Joint Favorable:
File No. 666:
JUD Joint Favorable:
FIN Joint Favorable: