ConnecticutSB 002992026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT CONCERNING REDEMPTION OF OUT-OF-STATE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS.

Sponsored By: Martin M. Looney (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

State funding for bottle-deposit centers

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the state transfers $2 million to support the bottle-deposit system. Of that amount, $250,000 goes to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to design and operate redemption-center licensing. The remaining $1.75 million supports reimbursement grants.

New limits on bottle refunds

Dealers and redemption centers cannot accept containers they know were not sold filled in Connecticut, were already redeemed, have unreadable barcodes, or are on an exclusion list. A center cannot accept more than 4,000 containers from one person in a day, down from 5,000. The limit does not apply to nonprofits or verified fundraising activities. People bringing more than 4,000 containers may need another day or arrangement to get their refunds.

New licenses and rules for redemption centers

Starting July 1, 2026, redemption centers need a state license and must pay a $2,500 application fee. Centers must record returns of more than 1,000 containers from one person in a day, keep records for at least two years, and send them to the state each quarter. Containers in one vehicle count as one person’s containers. Centers cannot use bulk baling, and they must send the state copies of certain written transfer authorizations.

New penalties for bottle-deposit violations

State and municipal officers can enforce specified bottle-deposit rules, and state agencies and law enforcement can inspect redemption records. First offenses carry a $500 to $750 penalty; second offenses carry $750 to $1,000. A third or later offense carries at least $2,000 and is a class A misdemeanor. Dealers and redemption centers that tender out-of-state or already redeemed containers violate unfair or deceptive trade practice rules.

Scanning can lower fees at large centers

From April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, distributors can reduce a center’s handling fee by up to one cent per container. The center must process at least 50 million containers a year and must not use automated barcode or product-code scanning for every container. The reduction ends on or after July 1, 2027, if the center scans all containers automatically. Household refund amounts do not change.

Deposit businesses face payments and rebates

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, beverage deposit initiators must pay part of their account balance to the state each quarter. The share is 25% when the prior year’s redemption rate is at least 65%, 35% when it is above 60% but below 65%, and 45% when it is 60% or less. Eligible businesses can apply by July 15, 2026, for a rebate based on a properly reported negative account balance for the quarter ending June 30, 2026. At least 80% of their fiscal year 2026 revenue must come from distributing beer, ale, wine, or distilled spirits; the state decides by August 15, 2026, and total rebates are capped at 80% of projected fiscal year 2027 revenue under the law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Martin M. Looney

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Aundre Bumgardner

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Duff

    Democratic • Senate

  • Hilda E. Santiago

    Democratic • House

  • Jason Rojas

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Ritter

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate Roll Call Vote 14

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate Roll Call Vote 15

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2026

House Roll Call Vote 11 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2026

House Roll Call Vote 10 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD A

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Bill Text

  • Public Act No. 26-2

    2/26/2026

  • New Bill

    2/24/2026

  • Bill Analysis for SB-299

  • Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2284 (Potential Revenue Gain)

  • Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 2364 (Potential Revenue Gain)

  • Fiscal Note for SB-299

  • House Roll Call Vote 10 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION HOUSE AMD A

  • House Roll Call Vote 11 EMERGENCY CERTIFICATION

  • House Schedule A LCO# 2364 (R)

  • Senate Roll Call Vote 14

  • Senate Roll Call Vote 15

  • Senate Schedule A LCO# 2284 (R)

  • Summary for Public Act No. 26-2

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