General Assembly Bill No. 299 seeks to enhance the regulation of redemption centers for out-of-state beverage containers by introducing new licensing requirements and operational standards. Starting July 1, 2026, operators must obtain a license from the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, which requires a $2,500 application fee and detailed information about the business. The bill mandates that redemption centers report operational changes within 48 hours and maintain transaction records for at least two years. It also establishes a new limit of 1,000 containers that can be accepted from an individual in one day, replacing the previous limit of 2,500, and clarifies conditions under which dealers can refuse to accept containers. Additionally, the bill prohibits bulk bailing for processing containers and requires dealers to redeem discontinued containers for at least 60 days after the last sale.

The bill further modifies the financial responsibilities of deposit initiators, requiring them to open a special interest-bearing account for beverage container refunds and detailing the reimbursement process. It introduces a tiered payment structure based on redemption rates, with specific percentages of account balances to be paid to the General Fund depending on the redemption rate. The bill also establishes a rebate system for eligible deposit initiators and increases penalties for violations of existing environmental regulations, raising fines significantly for offenders. Overall, the bill aims to improve compliance, accountability, and transparency in the beverage container redemption process while enhancing enforcement mechanisms for environmental protection.