Bill > HB05526

This bill aims to modify existing state law to increase penalties for fraudulent bottle redemptions, which likely refers to the practice of improperly returning beverage containers for cash refunds. While the specific details of the new penalties are not provided in the text, the bill signals an intent to discourage and more strictly punish individuals who attempt to exploit the bottle deposit and return system. Bottle redemption programs are typically designed to encourage recycling and reduce waste by offering a small monetary incentive (usually 5 or 10 cents) for returning empty beverage containers to designated collection points. By proposing to increase penalties, the bill suggests there is a significant problem with people attempting to game the system, such as returning containers purchased in other jurisdictions, reusing containers multiple times, or falsely inflating the number of containers being redeemed.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB05526&which_year=2025