Bill > A06267

This bill amends the environmental conservation law to increase the handling fee paid to dealers or operators of redemption centers for collecting, sorting, and packaging empty beverage containers. Currently, dealers receive 3.5 cents per container, but starting April 1, 2025, this fee will increase to 6 cents. The bill establishes a mechanism for periodically adjusting the handling fee in line with changes to the federal or New York state minimum wage. Specifically, beginning December 31, 2025, whenever a new minimum wage is implemented, the commissioner will recalculate the handling fee by increasing it by the same percentage as the minimum wage increase, rounded to the nearest half-cent. If the federal minimum wage is higher than New York's, the fee will be adjusted based on the federal rate; otherwise, it will be adjusted based on the New York state minimum wage. For New York state, the percentage increase will be calculated using the wage rate applicable to New York City employers with eleven or more employees. The bill aims to provide fair compensation to redemption centers for their services in the beverage container recycling process.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6267