Senate Finance discusses raising handling payments to bottle redemption centers in H.915

On May 19 the Senate Committee on Finance opened discussion of H.915, a proposal to increase the handling payment paid by distributors to bottle redemption centers. Committee members said the handling payment has not been raised in 17 years and that labor and operating costs have grown significantly in that period.

Members noted the statutory payment would be paid by distributors, though national pricing practices make it unlikely a single‑state change would prompt an immediate change in consumer prices; testimony referenced producer responsibility organizations and a desire to bring representatives back for further detail on distribution and cost‑pass‑through mechanics.

The committee scheduled follow‑up with stakeholders to refine the fee increase and better understand expected operational impacts on redemption centers and distributor behavior.