HB 1630-FN is a bill that aims to establish an extended producer responsibility program for packaging in New Hampshire. The bill includes the creation of a packaging reduction and recycling program, which will be overseen by the Department of Environmental Services. Producers will be required to pay fees based on the amount and type of packaging they use, and these fees will fund the program's administration, local government reimbursements for recycling costs, and educational initiatives. The bill defines various terms related to packaging and recycling, and it exempts producers with less than $1 million in gross revenue or less than one ton of packaging material sold from the requirements. A packaging reduction organization will be selected to operate the program for ten years, handling producer registration, fee collection, and technical support.

The bill also outlines the responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Services, which include conducting a statewide needs assessment every five years and developing a list of non-compliant producers. The department may revoke the approval of a packaging reduction organization if it fails to meet the requirements. Fees on packaging materials will be adjusted every three years to encourage reduction and recycling efforts, with exemptions for packaging designed for reuse and refill. The bill prohibits certain toxic substances in packaging and establishes an Office of Inspector General to ensure compliance, with fines for violations. The fiscal note indicates an indeterminate increase in state revenue and expenditures, with the need for eight new full-time positions and an estimated cost of $920,000 in FY 2025 to the general fund. Full program establishment is expected by January 1, 2028, with local municipalities eligible for reimbursements from the Packaging Reduction Fund starting in FY 2028. The Department of Justice anticipates unknown enforcement costs and potentially high litigation costs, with additional annual expenditures of $1,000-$10,000 starting in FY 2025. The fiscal impact is expected to occur after FY 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 6:12