The proposed West Virginia Beverage Producer Responsibility Act aims to enhance recycling efforts by establishing clear responsibilities for beverage producers and introducing new regulations related to beverage containers. The bill adds two new articles to the Code of West Virginia, defining key terms such as beverage containers, producers, and consumers. It requires producer responsibility organizations (PROs) to achieve a recycling rate of at least 75% for beverage containers by January 1, 2035. To facilitate this, the legislation mandates the creation of a recycling refund trust fund managed by the PRO, which will oversee consumer deposits and refunds for returned containers. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for state auditor oversight, labeling standards for beverage containers, and compliance deadlines for producers and retailers.

Moreover, the bill introduces a tax credit for eligible PROs that develop redemption centers or technology-based redemption centers, allowing them to claim this credit over a ten-year period with specific limitations. It outlines the types of property eligible for the tax credit and establishes rules for its implementation. Overall, the West Virginia Beverage Producer Responsibility Act seeks to improve recycling practices in the state while providing financial incentives for organizations that contribute to beverage container recycling initiatives.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 22-15B-1, 11-13NN-1