The bill aims to eliminate the use of expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as styrofoam, in food-related businesses across Montana due to its environmental impact and threat to wildlife. It establishes a prohibition on the use of styrofoam containers in restaurants and food establishments starting January 1, 2028, with a phased approach that extends to food packagers by January 1, 2030. The bill also outlines exemptions for businesses that can demonstrate undue hardship or specific needs related to transportation, construction, health, or safety.

Additionally, the bill grants the Department of Environmental Quality the authority to adopt rules for implementation and enforcement, including the ability to impose fines. It requires the department to set a reasonable fee for processing exemption applications, with the revenue directed to a solid waste management account. The bill amends existing legal language to reflect these changes and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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(11): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(12): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(13): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(14): 75-1-110
HB0477_3(15): 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
HB0477_4(1): 75-1-110
HB0477_4(2): 75-1-110
HB0477_4(3): 75-1-110
HB0477_4(4): 75-1-110
HB0477_4(5): 75-1-110
HB0477_4(6): 75-1-110
HB0477_4: 75-1-110
HB0477_5(1): 75-1-110
HB0477_5(2): 75-1-110
HB0477_5(3): 75-1-110
HB0477_5: 75-1-110
HB0477_X(1): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(2): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(3): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(4): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(5): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(6): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(7): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(8): 75-10-117
HB0477_X(9): 75-10-117
HB0477_X: 75-10-117