An Act To Diminish Global Warming
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 2207
Committee: Natural Resources
Sponsors: STRIMLING, FINLEY, EBERLE, BARTLETT, EDMONDS, MARTIN, BABBIDGE, DUCHESNE, KOFFMAN, MIRAMANT, WAGNER

Legislative Document 
No. 2207 
S.P.850 
February 11, 2008 
An Act To Diminish Global Warming 
Approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council pursuant to Joint Rule 
203. 
Reference to the Committee on Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator STRIMLING of Cumberland. 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Cosponsored by Representative FINLEY of Skowhegan, Representative EBERLE of South 
Portland and Senators: BARTLETT of Cumberland, President EDMONDS of Cumberland, 
MARTIN of Aroostook, Representatives: BABBIDGE of Kennebunk, DUCHESNE of 
Hudson, KOFFMAN of Bar Harbor, MIRAMANT of Camden, WAGNER of Lewiston. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA c. 2S-A is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 2S-A 
RETURNABLE LIGHTBULBS 
§1881. Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1. 
Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Environmental 
Protection. 
2. Department. "Department" means the Department of Environmental Protection. 
II 
3. Returnable 1i2htbulbs. "Returnable lightbulbs" means used compact fluorescent 
lamps. 
§1882. Deposits and refunds 
To encourage the appropriate disposal of returnable lightbulbs, every compact 
IS 
fluorescent lamp offered for sale to a consumer in this State must have a deposit value 
that is payable upon purchase by the consumer and a refund value that is payable upon 
redemption. The deposit and refund value are determined according to this section. 
1. Deposit and refund values. For returnable lightbulbs, the deposit and refund 
value is 25¢ per compact fluorescent lamp. 
2. Labels. With regard to each compact fluorescent lamp sold or offered to be sold 
in this State, the refund value and the word "Maine" or the abbreviation "ME" must be 
clearly indicated on each compact fluorescent lamp by embossing, stamping, labeling or 
other method. 
§1883. Local redemption centers 
Local redemption centers may be established and operated by any person or 
municipality, agency or regional association, subject to the approval of the commissioner, 
to serve the public and encourage the proper disposal of returnable lightbulbs. 
§1884. Returnable Lightbulb Fund 
The Returnable Lightbulb Fund is established to receive funds from the payment of 
deposits on returnable lightbulbs, to payout funds on the redemption of returnable 
lightbulbs and to hold funds not required for either of those 2 purposes. The fund is a 
nonlapsing dedicated fund. Interest accruing to the fund remains in the fund. 
§1885. Administrative provisions 
1. Administration. The department shall administer this chapter. 
2. Rulemaking. The commissioner shall, in a manner consistent with the Maine 
Administrative Procedure Act, adopt rules to implement this chapter. The rules must 
specify the responsibilities of manufacturers, distributors and retailers of returnable 
lightbulbs and the process by which deposits and refunds are paid. Rules adopted 
pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined by Title 5, chapter 375, 
subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. 2. 38 MRSA c. 16-0 is enacted to read: 
CHAPTER 16-0 
INCANDESCENT LAMPS 
§1691. Definitions 
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms 
have the following meanings. 
1. General service incandescent lamp. "General service incandescent lamp" means 
a standard incandescent or halogen-type lamp that is intended for general service 
applications and has: 
A. A medium screw base; 
B. A wattage rating of no less than 25 watts and no greater than 150 watts; and 
C. A bulb finish of frosted, clear or soft-white type. 
A "general service incandescent lamp" does not include an appliance lamp, black light 
lamp, bug lamp, colored lamp, enhanced spectrum lamp, infrared lamp, left-hand thread 
lamp, marine lamp, marine signal service lamp, mine service lamp, plant light, reflector 
lamp, rough service lamp, shatter resistant lamp, sign service lamp, silver bowl lamp, 
showcase lamp, 3-way lamp, traffic signal lamp or vibration service or vibration resistant 
lamp. 
§1692. Prohibition on sale of general service incandescent lamps 
Beginning January 1, 2010, a person may not sell, offer for sale or distribute in the 
State a general service incandescent lamp. 
SUMMARY 
This bill prohibits, beginning January 1, 2010, the sale and distribution in the State of 
incandescent lamps. 
This bill also establishes a system of deposit and redemption for used compact 
fluorescent lamps, referred to as returnable lightbulbs, and creates the Returnable 
Lightbulb Fund, a dedicated fund for use in the payment of deposits and redemptions and 
for holding funds not required for either purpose.