2007 Senate Bill 898 / 2008 Public Act 395

Mandate certain procedures by electronic equipment recyclers

Introduced in the Senate

Nov. 8, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R-24)

To require state registration by recyclers of household waste, and prohibit recycling of televisions and computer monitors that does not meet the standards promulgated by the state of Maine Department of Environmental Protection, subject to a $5,000 fine.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Oct. 15, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 12, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would impose a new $2,000 tax on recyclers of computers and related equipment.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Nov. 13, 2008

Amendment offered by Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R-24)

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 32 to 4 (details)

To impose a new $2,000 registration tax on recyclers of computers and related equipment, and impose new recycling regulations, with violations subject to fines of between $1,000 and $2,500, and criminal penaties of up to a $5,000 per day.

Received in the House

Nov. 13, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Great Lakes and Environment

Dec. 3, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 10, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Howard Walker (R-104)

To establish that a loss of data liability waiver for recyclers only applies if they follow the industry standard data sanitation procedures mandated by the bill.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 92 to 13 (details)

To impose a new $2,000 registration tax on recyclers of computers and related equipment, and impose new recycling regulations, with violations subject to fines of between $1,000 and $2,500, and criminal penaties of up to a $5,000 per day.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 18, 2008

Passed in the Senate 34 to 3 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Dec. 25, 2008