HF1624

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to create a structured system for mattress and box spring recycling in Minnesota. It aims to fund recycling programs through a new fee levied on the sale of these products.

Main Provisions

• Recycling Assessment Fee: The bill establishes a mandatory $5 recycling assessment fee for each mattress and box spring sold in the state. This fee is added to the cost by both producers and retailers.
• Collection and Use of Fees: The fees collected from these sales are required to be remitted quarterly to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency.
• Creation of a Recycling Account: Collected fees are deposited into a special mattress recycling account. The funds in this account are to be used exclusively for grants to local governments.
• Grant Allocation: The money from the account is appropriated annually to fund grants aimed at expanding and supporting local mattress recycling programs across Minnesota.
• Administrative Costs: The commissioner managing these funds is allowed to retain up to 2.5% of any grant amount to cover administrative expenses associated with managing the grant program.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill proposes a new section in the Minnesota Statutes, specifically chapter 115A, thus introducing a formal method for financing and organizing mattress recycling efforts through legislated assessments and state-managed grants.

Relevant Terms

mattress recycling, recycling assessment fee, producers, retailers, Pollution Control Agency, special revenue fund, grants, local governments.