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An Act To Increase the Bottle Redemption Deposit
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §3103, sub-§§1 to 3, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 166, §14, are amended to read:
 
1. Refillable containers.   For refillable beverage containers, except wine and spirits containers, the manufacturer shall determine the deposit and refund value according to the type, kind and size of the beverage container. The deposit and refund value may not be less than 5¢25¢.
 
2. Nonrefillable containers; exclusive distributorships.   For nonrefillable beverage containers, except wine and spirits containers, sold through geographically exclusive distributorships, the distributor shall determine and initiate the deposit and refund value according to the type, kind and size of the beverage container. The deposit and refund value may not be less than 5¢25¢.
 
3. Nonrefillable containers; nonexclusive distributorships.   For nonrefillable beverage containers, except wine and spirits containers, not sold through geographically exclusive distributorships, the deposit and refund value may not be less than 5¢25¢.
Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §3105, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 2015, c. 166, §14, is amended to read:
 
4. Brand name.   Refillable glass beverage containers of carbonated beverages, for which the deposit is initiated under section 3103, subsection 1, that have a refund value of not less than 5¢25¢ and a brand name permanently marked on the container are not required to comply with subsection 1. The exception provided by this subsection does not apply to glass beverage containers that contain spirits, wine or malt liquor as those terms are defined by Title 28-A, section 2.
 
SUMMARY
This bill increases to 25¢ the deposit and refund value on refillable and nonrefillable beverage containers whose deposit and refund value is currently 5¢. This increase does not apply to wine and spirits containers.