Relates to the handling fee paid to a dealer or operator of a redemption center for the redemption of empty beverage containers

This bill sets a minimum handling fee of 5 cents per beverage container redeemed at a redemption center, paid to dealers/operators by beverage deposit initiators. It directly affects redemption center operators who collect, sort, and package empty containers for return. The fee must be adjusted annually based on increases to New York's or federal minimum wage (whichever is higher), rounded to the nearest $0.005, starting December 31, 2025. The fee cannot be tied to purchasing goods/services or paid from refund value funds.