MT HB477

Prohibits polystyrene foam containers for food service in Montana on a phased timeline: restaurants cannot use them for dine-in service starting January 1, 2028; restaurants, hotels, and resorts cannot use them for any food service starting January 1, 2029; food packagers cannot use them starting January 1, 2030

Exemptions available from the Department of Environmental Quality for businesses demonstrating undue hardship, lack of acceptable alternatives, or uses related to transportation, construction, health, or safety

Department of Environmental Quality authorized to adopt rules for implementation and enforcement, including issuing fines and penalties, and must set fees for exemption applications that reflect actual processing costs

Exemption application fees and collected fines/penalties deposited into the solid waste management account to fund administration of the program

Act becomes effective July 1, 2025, with the prohibition phases beginning in 2028