Bottle Bill Status

(Updated Friday January 14, 2011)

January 2009

The "Primary" Bottle Bill Update was filed by Sen. Cynthia Creem and Rep. Alice Wolf (H3515). This bill would update the definitions to include water, teas, sports drinks, etc.

Similar bills were also filed by Rep. Carlo Basile, Rep. Christopher G. Fallon, Rep. Denis Guyer, Rep. Thomas M. Stanley, Rep. Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera, and  Sen. Robert L. Hedlund. Some of these bills address only certain portions of the bottle bill, but all of these update the definitions. Bills to update other  aspects of the bottle bill (e.g. reinstating the Clean Environment Fund) were filed by Rep. Robert M. Koczera, Rep. Pam Richardson, Sen. James B. Eldridge.

In all, approximately 68 State Representatives and State Senators have sponsored or co-sponsored a bottle bill update.

The hearing date is scheduled for Fall 2009.

April 2009

Attempts to include portions of the Bottle Bill update in the state budget were unsuccessful.

May 2009

After completion of the budget, the Bottle Bill working group has begun to promote passage of the Bottle Bill Update. If you're interested in helping pass the Bottle Bill, please contact us.