The Architectural Paint Stewardship Act establishes a statewide program requiring producers of architectural paint to create and implement stewardship plans aimed at minimizing public sector involvement and costs related to the disposal of post-consumer paint. The bill mandates that producers submit their plans to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for approval, which will oversee the program's implementation. Producers are also required to include a paint stewardship assessment in the sale price of their products to fund the program. The act emphasizes the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling paint in accordance with federal waste management guidelines.

In addition to the stewardship requirements, the bill outlines specific reporting obligations for producers, including annual reports on the effectiveness of their programs and the volume of paint collected. It provides protections against antitrust claims for participating producers, with some exceptions for pricing agreements. The legislation includes penalties for non-compliance, such as civil administrative penalties and sales prohibitions for paint not covered by an approved stewardship plan. The DEP is authorized to maintain a list of violators and charge administrative fees for plan submissions, with the provisions taking effect immediately, while certain sections will be enforceable 18 months post-enactment.