Summary of HB 7294 - Bottle Redemption Act

• Increases beverage container deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents for both carbonated and noncarbonated beverages, effective July 1, 2022.

• Expands noncarbonated beverages subject to deposit requirements to include water, flavored water, juice, tea, sports drinks, and energy drinks, effective July 1, 2020.

• Increases handling fees paid to dealers and redemption centers from 1-2 cents to 3.5-4.5 cents per container, depending on beverage type.

• Expands the redemption center radius requirement from one mile to five miles, allowing dealers to avoid accepting returns if a redemption center exists within five miles.

• Establishes a state redemption goal of 90 percent for beverage containers and requires deposit initiators to maintain special interest-bearing accounts with quarterly reporting to the state.