AB 1846 Summary

• Extends prohibitions on refund payments to beverage containers that certified recycling centers or processors knew or should have known were otherwise ineligible for redemption, including out-of-state containers.

• Authorizes the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to suspend or permanently revoke eligibility of supermarket sites, rural region recyclers, or nonprofit convenience zone recyclers to receive handling fees as a disciplinary action.

• Increases civil penalties to up to $10,000 per transaction or three times damages plus costs for persons who redeem, attempt to redeem, or aid in redemption of previously redeemed or otherwise ineligible beverage containers.

• Requires certified recycling centers and processors to maintain specified documents and cooperate with department audits and investigations to verify claims for program payments.

• Defines "person" to include any individual, corporation, operation, or entity, whether or not certified or registered under the beverage container recycling program.