Phase out polystyrene single use food containers (with exceptions)
House Bill 477 aimed to phase out the use of expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, in food-related businesses. Beginning in 2028, it would have prohibited restaurants and food establishments from serving food or beverages in these containers for on-premises consumption. By 2029, this prohibition would extend to packaging prepared food by restaurants, hotels, and resorts, and by 2030, food packagers would be restricted from using them. Businesses could apply to the Department of Environmental Quality for exemptions if compliance caused undue hardship or if no acceptable alternatives were available, with the department authorized to charge a fee for such applications.
The bill was amended to clarify that the new sections are intended to be codified as a new part in Title 75, Chapter 10. This change ensures the legal provisions are properly integrated into the existing statutory framework.
Scope change
The bill's scope is now explicitly defined as a new part within Title 75, Chapter 10, establishing its formal relationship with existing laws in that chapter.
TECHNICAL
Added a codification instruction to specify where the new sections should be placed in the official code and confirmed that existing Chapter 10 rules apply to them.
HB0477_X(4).pdf→HB0477_X(5).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The legislative text provided shows the beginning of an amendment to Section 75-10-117 regarding the Solid Waste Management Account. However, the diff snippet is incomplete and cuts off immediately after the section header, so the specific policy changes, funding adjustments, or new requirements cannot be identified from the available text.
TECHNICAL
The provided text snippet contains no substantive changes because it is truncated before any actual content is listed; only the section header is visible.
HB0477_X(3).pdf→HB0477_X(4).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated to correct a typo in the effective date for the polystyrene foam ban, changing it from 2028 to 2028 (removing a duplicate year). The text was also cleaned up to remove redundant words like 'food' and 'may' to improve clarity. Additionally, the document was finalized with proper signatures and formatting for the enrolled bill.
Scope change
null
TIMELINE
Corrected the effective date for the ban on serving food in polystyrene foam containers to clearly state 'January 1, 2028' by removing the duplicate year text.
REQUIREMENT
Removed redundant words such as 'food' and 'may' from the prohibition sections to streamline the language.
TECHNICAL
Added signature lines for the Chief Clerk, Speaker of the House, and President of the Senate to finalize the enrolled bill.
HB0477_X.pdf→HB0477_X(1).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was reorganized to move the section defining the Solid Waste Management Account (Section 75-10-117) to a new Section 5, while the header information was updated to reflect the final enrolled version of the bill. A minor punctuation adjustment was made to a funding clause, removing a trailing period.
TECHNICAL
The bill structure was altered by moving the definition of the Solid Waste Management Account to a new Section 5.
The header was updated to indicate this is the final 'Enrolled Bill' version for the 69th Legislature.
A trailing period was removed from a sentence regarding available funding sources.
HB0477_5(3).pdf→HB0477_X.pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was updated from a draft version (HB0477.5) to an enrolled version (HB 477) to finalize its language for signing. The most significant substantive change is the removal of a specific clause in Section 5 that allowed the Environmental Rehabilitation and Response Account to fund regulations regarding expanded polystyrene foam, effectively removing the direct funding mechanism for this specific ban within the state's mining and environmental response fund. Other changes include correcting the bill title, standardizing formatting, and adjusting the effective date for the restaurant ban from 2035 back to 2028.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding the ban on styrofoam remains the same, but the specific funding source for enforcement and regulation within the Environmental Rehabilitation and Response Account was removed.
FISCAL
Removed a clause allowing the Environmental Rehabilitation and Response Account to be used for administering regulations related to expanded polystyrene foam.
TIMELINE
Corrected the effective date for the restaurant ban from 2035 to 2028.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill number and title to reflect the final enrolled version (HB 477) and corrected formatting inconsistencies.
HB0477_4(6).pdf→HB0477_5.pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill number was updated from HB 477.4 to HB 477.5, and the effective dates for the polystyrene foam ban were adjusted to 2028, 2029, and 2030. The most significant policy change is the addition of a new funding source, allowing fines collected from violations of the ban to be deposited into the Environmental Rehabilitation and Response Account to support environmental cleanup efforts.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on banning polystyrene foam containers, but the enforcement mechanism now includes a specific financial contribution to state environmental accounts.
TIMELINE
The ban on serving or packaging food in polystyrene foam containers was delayed by several years, shifting the start dates from 2025/2026/2027 to 2028/2029/2030.
FISCAL
A new provision was added requiring that fines and penalties collected for violating the foam ban be deposited into the Environmental Rehabilitation and Response Account.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was updated from HB 477.4 to HB 477.5, likely reflecting a revision in the legislative drafting process.
HB0477_3(15).pdf→HB0477_4.pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill number was updated from HB 477.3 to HB 477.4. The most significant change is the extension of the ban on polystyrene foam containers, moving the implementation dates from 2028, 2029, and 2030 to 2035, 2036, and 2037, respectively. This provides businesses with a longer transition period to switch to alternative packaging materials.
Scope change
The scope of the ban remains the same, but the timeline for enforcement has been extended by seven years for each phase of the ban.
TIMELINE
The start date for banning polystyrene foam in restaurants was changed from January 1, 2028, to January 1, 2035.
The start date for banning polystyrene foam in resorts and hotels was changed from January 1, 2029, to January 1, 2036.
The start date for banning polystyrene foam for bakery products was changed from January 1, 2030, to January 1, 2037.
HB0477_3(5).pdf→HB0477_3(6).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was updated to change the capitalization of the word 'section' to 'SECTION' in the header of Section 5. This change is purely stylistic and does not alter the legal meaning, scope, or requirements of the bill.
TECHNICAL
Capitalization of the word 'section' in the bill header was changed from lowercase to uppercase.
HB0477_3(4).pdf→HB0477_3(5).pdf·2 edits
MINOR
The bill text was updated to standardize the formatting of the emergency exception clause by capitalizing the word 'OR' at the end of a sentence. Additionally, the header page was modified to include a specific legislative session identifier ('69th Legislature 2025') and a slight adjustment to the page number formatting. These changes are technical and do not alter the substantive legal requirements, funding levels, or scope of the legislation.
TECHNICAL
Capitalized the word 'OR' in the emergency funding exception clause to match the formatting style of the preceding item in the list.
Updated the document header to explicitly state '69th Legislature 2025' and adjusted the page number alignment.
HB0477_3(3).pdf→HB0477_3(4).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a new account for environmental rehabilitation and response, funded by fines, reimbursements, and interest, specifically to address mining impacts, hazardous waste, and expanded polystyrene foam regulations. Additionally, the solid waste management account section was updated to reflect its proper statutory location. These changes expand the state's financial resources for environmental cleanup and regulatory enforcement.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a dedicated funding stream for environmental rehabilitation and response, covering mining reclamation, hazardous waste remediation, and expanded polystyrene foam regulation, in addition to existing solid waste management provisions.
FISCAL
Created a new 'Environmental rehabilitation and response account' to collect and manage funds for environmental cleanup.
SCOPE
Added authority to use funds for reclamation of mining lands, remediation of hazardous waste sites, and administration of expanded polystyrene foam regulations.
TECHNICAL
Updated the statutory citation for the solid waste management account to correct its chapter reference.
HB0477_2(10).pdf→HB0477_3.pdf·4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from HB 477.2 to HB 477.3 and significantly expanded its scope by adding authority to issue fines and penalties for violations. The legislation now targets expanded polystyrene foam packaging and establishes a new Solid Waste Management Account to fund enforcement and cleanup efforts.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from general environmental rehabilitation to specifically include the regulation of expanded polystyrene foam and the creation of a dedicated Solid Waste Management Account.
ENFORCEMENT
Added explicit authority for the department to issue fines or penalties pursuant to existing penalty statutes.
FISCAL
Created a new 'Solid Waste Management Account' in addition to the existing Environmental Rehabilitation and Response Account to fund waste management activities.
REQUIREMENT
Amended the statutory text to include regulations related to the use of expanded polystyrene foam.
TECHNICAL
Updated bill version numbers and section references to reflect the new bill number and account name.
HB0477_1(5).pdf→HB0477_2.pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was renumbered and reorganized, shifting the codification instructions and effective date sections. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new subsection (E) requiring that unspent funds in the environmental account remain there until appropriated by the legislature, rather than being immediately available for new threats. This ensures fiscal discipline and prevents the automatic use of existing funds for new emergencies without legislative approval.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding fund management was expanded to include a retention requirement for unspent money, while the scope of applicability for the polystyrene foam ban itself remains unchanged.
FISCAL
Added a requirement that any unspent or unencumbered money in the environmental account must remain in the account until spent or appropriated by the legislature, preventing automatic use for new threats.
TECHNICAL
Reordered the bill sections, moving the codification instruction to Section 6 and the effective date to Section 7, while updating the bill number from HB 477.1 to HB0477.2.
Added an 'OR' at the end of a sentence listing public safety threats, likely to accommodate the new funding retention requirement.
LC1971.pdf→HB0477_1.pdf·2 edits
MINOR
The bill's title was updated from a draft version (LC 1971) to the final House Bill number (HB 477). The primary substantive change is the addition of specific sponsors, M. Marler and M. Yakawich, to the header. No substantive policy changes, such as new definitions, funding amounts, or regulatory requirements, were identified in the provided text.
TECHNICAL
Added the names of the bill's sponsors, M. Marler and M. Yakawich, to the header.
Changed the bill identifier from LC 1971 to HB 477 in the header and footer.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Mar 25, 2025
How they voted
26–22
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 14, 2025
D
Democratic18
17 Yea1
94% Yea
R
Republican32
9 Yea22 Nay1
68% Nay
Your representatives
Vote distribution
All YeaAll NayMixedNo data
56–41
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 100
Mar 25, 2025
D
Democratic42
39 Yea3
92% Yea
R
Republican58
17 Yea41 Nay
70% Nay
Your representatives
Vote distribution
All YeaAll NayMixedNo data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
45
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
1
May 1, 2025
Vetoed
(H) Vetoed by Governor
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Executive-Receipt
(H) Transmitted to Governor
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Other
(H) Returned from Enrolling
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (26-22-2)
senate
Apr 14, 2025
Other
(H) Sent to Enrolling
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
(S) Returned to House with Amendments
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Reading-3
(S) 3rd Reading
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Reading-3
(S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Reading-2
(S) 2nd Reading
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Reading-2
(S) 2nd Reading Motion to Amend
upper
Apr 12, 2025
Reading-2
(S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Natural Resources
