An Act To Reduce the Amount of Plastic Introduced into the Waste Stream
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0367
Committee Amendment CA_A_S97 (Senate)

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT" A " to S.P. 131, L.D. 367, Bill, "An Act To 
Reduce the Amount of Plastic Introduced into the Waste Stream" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'Resolve, To Convene a Work Group To Design and Implement a Statewide 
Disposable Checkout Bag Reduction Campaign, with Benchmarks' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the title and before the summary and 
IS 
inserting the following: 
'Whereas, the State has adopted a solid waste management hierarchy that places 
waste reduction and reuse above recycling as preferred management systems for solid 
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waste; and 
Whereas, the State has been an advocate of policies that reduce litter and enhance 
the natural beauty of the State; and 
Whereas, the use of disposable checkout bags consumes valuable natural resources 
in their production, increases waste generation and contributes to litter; and 
Whereas, state law designates recycling requirements for retail establishments that 
distribute plastic bags; and 
Whereas, grocers and retailers in the State recognize resource limitations and they 
understand the leadership role they play in participating in public awareness programs 
and adopting programs that can generate environmental benefits; and 
Whereas, grocers and retailers in the State have been promoting and encouraging 
the use of reusable checkout bags for the transport of products and goods from their 
stores; and 
Whereas, this legislation establishes a process to review current law and recycling 
practices and to establish effective and innovative approaches to reduce the lise and 
increase the recycling of disposable checkout bags; now, therefore, be it 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to S,P, 131, L.D. 367 
Sec. 1. Convene work group. Resolved: That the Executive Department, State 
Planning Office shall establish a work group, through a partnership with state agencies 
and other appropriate entities, to work together towards a viable solution to the checkout 
bag issue to achieve environmental 
benefits, maintain financial 
viability for 
manufacturers and retailers and avoid cost impacts for consumers; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Participants. Resolved: That the Executive Department, State Planning 
Office shall invite representatives of the following agencies, organizations and businesses 
to participate in the work group: 
I. Department of Environmental Protection; 
2. 
Maine Grocers Association; 
3. Maine Merchants Association; 
4. Maine Oil Dealers Association; 
5. 
Maine State Chamber of Commerce; 
6. Natural Resources Council of Maine; 
7. 
American Chemistry Council; 
8. 
A grocery chain with a large number of stores in the State; 
9. 
A retail store chain with a large number of stores in the State; and 
10. Other entities as appropriate; and be it further 
Sec. 3. Duties. Resolved: That the work group shall: 
1. 
Assess existing recycling infrastructure capacities within the State; 
2. 
Design a regional pilot program that includes an assessment of current state law 
governing waste reduction, including, in particular, an assessment of technical assistance 
available to municipalities and businesses in those municipalities; 
3. 
Create a memorandum of understanding with guiding principles, recycling goals 
and benchmarks for the overall reduction of disposable checkout bag distribution and 
waste; 
4. 
Design a statewide promotional media campaign; and 
5. 
Identify funding needs, resources and partners; and be it further 
Sec. 4. Existing resources. Resolved: That the duties described in section 3 
must be completed within existing resources of the Executive Department, State Planning 
Office; and be it further 
Sec. 5. Report; authority to submit legislation. Resolved: That, by January 
IS, 2010, the work group shall submit a report relating to the subject matter of this 
resolve to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources. The report must include 
findings, recommendations and draft legislation to implement the recommendations. The 
joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources may report out legislation relating to the 
report to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A "to S.P. 13 I, L.D. 367 
SUMMARY 
This amendment replaces the bill with a resolve. The resolve requires the Executive 
Department, State Planning Office to establish a work group consisting of agencies, 
organizations and businesses for the purpose of reducing the distribution of disposable 
checkout bags. The work group is charged with assessing recycling infrastructure 
capacities, developing language for a memorandum of understanding with goals and 
benchmarks for reducing the use of disposable checkout bags, designing a statewide 
promotional campaign and identifying funding sources. The work group is directed to 
submit a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources, and the committee 
is authorized to report out legislation relating to the report. 
FISCAL :\OT£ REQuIRED. 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Approved: 04/27/09 Mac:.. 
LD367 
LR 750(02) 
An Act To Reduce the Amount of Plastic Introduced into the Waste Stream 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment 'A." 
Committee: Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Additional costs to the Department of Environmental Protection and the State Planning Office associated with 
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establishing a work group and other administrative duties for the purpose of reducing the distribution of disposable 
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check out bags at retail establishments can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
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LR0750(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1 
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