2015 has been a prime example of never being able to predict how a year will go in the states before it happens, and with sessions still open in five states (and several others calling repeated special sessions to cover budget shortfalls and other issues) we could still see some change before the year's end.
Wondering what's new? Use
ISRI's State Policy page and access the State Legislative Tracking System or State Specific Resources to see what's happened in your state, or contact
Justin Short for any assistance.
Metals Theft. A major metals theft amendment in Texas almost died only to be resurrected and passed, and the budget battle in Kansas saw language from their original metals theft bill (SB 11) stripped out and stuck into a new bill before passage. So far, 15 states have amended their metals theft laws and Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are still actively considering bills. Changes range from relatively minor tweaks to weighmaster licensing in California and criminal punishments in Louisiana to the near complete overhaul of Kansas's requirements, so be sure to check the State Specific Resources or Metal Theft Law Database to make sure your company is up to date!
Synthetic Turf. While amendments to metals theft laws were making their annual march through the legislatures, bills targeting tire recycling and the use of synthetic turf made for an interesting new twist in several states across the nation. Attempted moratoriums on synthetic turf followed after unsubstantiated rumors that the crumb rubber in turf causes cancer were picked up by several news agencies, and a push by the Product Stewardship Institute to convince policymakers that putting producers in charge of recycling (otherwise known as Extended Producer Responsibility) would create system free of regulatory oversight or costs to the customers gained traction in Connecticut and Vermont despite all evidence to the contrary. While none of these bills ultimately passed, ReMA will be keeping a close watch in case such bills spread in 2016.
Vehicle Dismantling & Scrap Processors. Vehicle dismantlers and scrap processors should also take note of the bills passed in 18 states so far this year; the State Specific Resources pages for each state have been updated to link to the new amendments. Several states have been reviewing their requirements for purchases of scrapped vehicles without a title and NVMTIS reporting, but one of the more interesting requirements of this session was passed by Kentucky HB 19, requiring that any vehicle forfeited to the police that is contaminated with methamphetamine must be destroyed or salvaged for scrap metal.
Paper-related Legislation. Paper saw several bills seeking packaging EPR programs, but the bill that passed, Wisconsin AB 11, strips the state's requirement for 33 percent of newsprint fiber to be derived from recycled materials. Several states also considered bag bans this year, but California remains the only state to have passed such a requirement and their law is on hold pending a 2016 referendum.
Electronics-related Legislation. Electronics had more than 70 bills being considered this year across the nation, with many focused on kill switch technology in cellphones. Although both California and Minnesota passed laws requiring such last year, most states did not choose to follow them since cellphone manufacturers have already adopted such, making this a solution in search of a problem. However, Illinois did pass SB 66, adding wireless communications devices to the state's Resale Dealers Act.