HB 5740 Summary

• Adds Part 175 (Recycling Reports) to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act requiring recyclers to submit quarterly recycling activity reports to the Department of Environmental Quality beginning October 1, 2015.

• Reports must be submitted within 30 days after each state fiscal year quarter and include quantity data (in tons) for 21 categories of recyclable materials, with separate reporting for materials from municipal sources, in-state non-recyclers, in-state recyclers, and out-of-state sources.

• Department of Environmental Quality must post a uniform reporting form by March 31, 2015, and submit an annual summary report to the legislature by January 31 of each year (beginning 2016) covering the preceding fiscal year's recycling activity data without identifying individual submitters.

• Recyclers shipping materials to other in-state recyclers must provide annual written notice that they are regulated recyclers and that materials will be included in their reports; both parties must retain copies for 3 years.

• Violations subject to civil fines up to $500, with false information submissions punishable as a misdemeanor by up to 90 days imprisonment or fines up to $5,000; voluntarily submitted reports are exempt from penalties.