House Bill No. [insert number] aims to eliminate the use of expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as styrofoam, in food-related businesses across Montana. The bill prohibits restaurants, food establishments, resorts, and hotels from serving or packaging food in styrofoam containers starting January 1, 2028, with a complete ban on food packaging by January 1, 2030. The legislation includes provisions for exemptions, allowing businesses to apply for relief from the ban if they can demonstrate that no acceptable alternatives exist or if compliance would cause undue hardship. The bill also grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Environmental Quality to implement and enforce these provisions, including the ability to impose fines or penalties.

Additionally, the bill amends existing law by changing the funding structure for the solid waste management account, which will now receive revenue from exemption application fees and fines related to the styrofoam ban. The previous environmental rehabilitation and response account is replaced with the solid waste management account for these purposes. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to address environmental concerns associated with styrofoam, which poses threats to wildlife and contributes to landfill waste.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 75-1-110
HB0477_1(1): 75-1-110
HB0477_1(2): 75-1-110
HB0477_1(3): 75-1-110
HB0477_1(4): 75-1-110
HB0477_1(5): 75-1-110
HB0477_1: 75-1-110
HB0477_2(1): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(10): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(2): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(3): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(4): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(5): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(6): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(7): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(8): 75-1-110
HB0477_2(9): 75-1-110
HB0477_2: 75-1-110
HB0477_3(1): 75-1-110, 75-10-117
HB0477_3(10): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(2): 75-1-110, 75-10-117
HB0477_3(3): 75-1-110, 75-10-117
HB0477_3(4): 75-1-110, 75-10-117
HB0477_3(5): 75-1-110, 75-10-117
HB0477_3(6): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(7): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(8): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(9): 75-1-110
HB0477_3: 75-1-110, 75-10-117