This bill establishes a Paint Product Stewardship Program in New Hampshire, which is designed 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. Manufacturers or their representative organizations are required to submit a stewardship program plan to the Department of Environmental Services, detailing their strategies for managing paint products, educating consumers, and implementing a per-container assessment to fund the program. Retailers are mandated to sell only paint products from manufacturers participating in an approved program, while participation as a collection site remains voluntary.

The bill outlines the requirements for plan submission and approval, annual reporting, and liability protections for participating manufacturers. It specifies that postconsumer paint collected at sites must be treated as universal waste and provides protections against penalties for collection point operators who adhere to environmentally sound management practices. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for administrative reimbursement to the Department for costs incurred in implementing the program. While it does not authorize new positions or direct funding, it anticipates generating revenue for the General Fund starting in FY 2026, with projected revenues of $49,000 in FY 2026, $48,000 in FY 2027, and $50,000 in FY 2028. Local expenditures are expected to decrease by at least $150,000 annually beginning in FY 2027, as the stewardship program will take over waste paint management responsibilities, thereby alleviating financial burdens on municipalities.