HF 1412 Summary

• Modifies Minnesota's electronic waste recycling program to expand the definition of "covered electronic devices" to include tablet computers and laptop computers alongside existing categories like peripherals, DVD players, and video cassette recorders.

• Establishes separate "Phase I" and "Phase II" recycling credits allowing manufacturers to carry forward or sell excess recycling accomplishments from prior years, with no more than 25 percent of annual obligations met using prior-year credits.

• Changes manufacturer registration and reporting deadlines from September 1 to August 15 annually, and shifts recycling reporting from September 1 to August 15, with the agency (instead of the department) receiving reports beginning July 1, 2017.

• Modifies recycling obligation calculations to weight covered electronic devices collected outside the 11-county metropolitan area at 1.5 times their actual weight beginning July 1, 2019, and establishes specific statewide recycling goals of 25, 23, and 21 million pounds for program years 2016-2018.

• Adds new collector and recycler responsibilities including requirements that collection sites be staffed and open to the public with adequate frequency, and that recyclers must not charge collectors for transporting and recycling devices that meet manufacturer obligations.