The proposed bill, HB 1198, establishes a Paint Product Stewardship Program in New Hampshire, which aims to manage postconsumer paint products through environmentally responsible practices. It introduces new definitions related to paint products, such as "aerosol coating product," "architectural paint," and "postconsumer paint," by inserting these definitions into RSA 149-M. The bill requires manufacturers or their representative organizations to submit a stewardship program plan to the Department of Environmental Services, detailing the management of paint products, consumer education, and a per-container assessment to cover program costs. Retailers must comply with the approved program plan before selling paint products, and participation as a collection site is voluntary.

The bill outlines the approval process for the stewardship program plan, mandates annual reports from participating manufacturers, and provides liability protections for them. It ensures that financial data submitted remains confidential and stipulates that postconsumer paint at collection sites must be managed as universal waste, protecting collection point operators from penalties. The act will take effect upon passage, with program implementation required within six months of approval. The fiscal impact is expected to generate revenue for the Solid Waste Management Fund, with local expenditures decreasing by at least $150,000 annually starting in FY 2028, as the stewardship program will alleviate the financial burden of waste paint management on municipalities.