An Act To Clarify The Approval Process For And The Operation Of The Commingling Program For The Management Of Beverage Containers

This bill clarifies the rules for Maine's beverage container recycling program, requiring the managing cooperative to transition from sorting containers by brand to sorting by material type by October 1, 2026, provided that 90% of participating deposit initiators submit sales data by June 30, 2026. The legislation also specifies that the state department must review and approve the cooperative's operation plan within 120 days after holding a public meeting, while clarifying that this review is not treated as a formal permit decision. Additionally, the bill sets a January 15, 2026 deadline for implementing the approved plan and establishes penalties for non-compliance, with all provisions applying retroactively to January 1, 2025.