It’s been a busy few weeks in Salem as legislators raced to meet the April 9 deadline for committees to hold work sessions on bills and move them out of committee for floor votes or consideration by joint House-Senate committees such as Ways and Means, Revenue or Rules.

Public hearings and work sessions were held on a number of bills of interest to AOR members. This update includes an action alert on a bill that would negatively impact Oregon’s Bottle Bill and updates on other bills of interest.

Bottle Bill related
Bottle Drop Express - SB 93 – AOR supports this bill which boosts access and convenience for container return options through Bottle Drop Express. The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources passed this bill out of committee with amendments on April 9 and SB 93 has been referred to Ways and Means.

Product stewardship and producer responsibility

• Drug take back – HB 3273 -- AOR supports this bill which directs manufacturer of covered drugs sold in Oregon to participate in a drug take-back program. The House Committee on Heath Care passed this bill out of committee with amendments on April 
• Household Hazardous Waste Product Stewardship - HB 2772A – AOR supports this bill which establishes a product stewardship program for household hazardous waste. The bill supports safe disposal and reduces negative impacts on solid waste facilities and workers. The House Energy and Environment Committee passed HB 2772A with amendments on March 12 and the bill has been referred to Ways and Means.
• Mattress Product Stewardship – SB 276 – AOR has been watching this bill and waiting for an amended version to be published. The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources passed the bill out of committee with amendments on April 9 and SB 276 has been referred to Ways and Means. AOR’s legislative committee will review the amended bill and make recommendations to AOR’s board related to taking a position in the coming weeks.

Single use plastics

• Plastic straw choice – SB 90 A – AOR supports this bill which requires food and beverage providers and convenience stores to ask consumers before providing a plastic straw. The bill supports waste prevention and would reduce litter and marine debris. The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources passed this bill out of committee with amendments on April 4 and will go to the Senate floor for a vote, likely this week.
• Sustainable shopping initiative (a.k.a. plastic bag ban) – HB 2509 – AOR support this bill which bans prohibits use of single-use plastic checkout bags by retailers and restaurants. The bill advances waste prevention and reduces use of a material that is very problematic for material recovery facilities. The House Energy and Environment Committee passed HB 2509 with amendments on April 4 and the bill will be scheduled for a floor vote.
• Polystyrene food packaging ban – HB 2883 – AOR is watching this bill which would prohibit food vendors from using polystyrene containers to sell or serve food. The intent of the bill is to cover prepared food and packaging that is used to store or transport food; polystyrene used to package raw ingredients such as meat or eggs would be exempt from the requirement. The House Energy and Environment Committee passed HB 2883 with amendments on April 9 and the bill has been referred to Ways and Means.

Other bills of Interest
Right to repair - HB 2688 – AOR supports this bill which would require digital electronic equipment manufacturers to make repair manuals and parts available to consumers and independent repair shops. The House Committee on Business and Labor did not take action on this bill prior to the deadline for bills to pass out of their initial committee and it will not move forward this legislative session. However, a public hearing is scheduled for April 22 which will give legislators an opportunity to learn more the environmental and economic benefits of this approach to waste prevention and resource conservation through extending the life of consumer products.

More information about specific bills, including bill and amendment texts, is available on the Oregon legislative information website. For more information contact AOR’s legislative chair, Pam Peck.