CA SB842

Exempts convenience zones from recycling center requirements if served by a center that closed between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2016, or closed due to department action on or after July 1, 2016, until April 1, 2017.

Freezes processing fee calculations at recycling costs in effect on December 30, 2015 through April 1, 2017, with annual cost-of-living adjustments, ensuring fees do not exceed pre-freeze levels.

Requires the department to use the most recent 3-month scrap value period (instead of 12-month) when adjusting processing payments quarterly, and prohibits finding funds unavailable for processing fee reductions until April 1, 2017.

Maintains per-container handling fees at no less than July 1, 2015 levels through April 1, 2017, and authorizes up to $3,000,000 for supplemental incentive payments to low-volume recycling centers in fiscal year 2016-17.

Makes continuous appropriations from the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund inoperative on April 1, 2017, pending comprehensive program reform, with all provisions repealing January 1, 2018 unless extended by later legislation.