CA SB724

Increases the maximum number of convenience zone exemptions from redemption requirements from 35% to 50% of eligible zones and requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to review exemptions every 5 years.

Exempts dealers with gross annual sales under $2,000,000 and non-supermarket dealers with less than 5,000 square feet of interior retail space from convenience zone redemption requirements.

Temporarily exempts certain dealers in zones where recycling centers closed between January 1, 2016 and May 31, 2016, or closed due to department action after January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2021.

Freezes processing payment calculations and handling fee rates at December 30, 2015 levels through January 1, 2022 and suspends cost surveys until January 1, 2021; authorizes $10,000,000 annually for market development payments through fiscal year 2022-23 and $3,000,000 annually for supplemental handling fees to low-volume recycling centers through July 1, 2022.

Requires the department to convene a public hearing by July 1, 2020 to develop guidelines for evaluating when to withhold recycling and litter cleanup payments to jurisdictions that restrict supermarket siting.