Bill > S06765

This bill amends New York's Environmental Conservation Law to strengthen the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act, which aims to properly collect and dispose of mercury thermostats, devices that use a mercury switch to control heating and cooling systems. Key provisions include establishing a "producer responsibility organization" (PRO) as a non-profit entity created by thermostat manufacturers to manage collection programs, defining "collection sites" where these thermostats can be dropped off, and clarifying the role of "contractors" who install or remove HVAC components. The bill mandates that thermostat manufacturers, either individually or through a PRO, must submit a plan for an out-of-service mercury thermostat collection program for approval by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which must include provisions for consumer education, convenient collection sites, and a financial incentive of at least twenty dollars per thermostat for contractors or property owners. Furthermore, it extends the program's effectiveness until January 1, 2050, establishes a "mercury thermostat stewardship fund" to cover program costs, and outlines penalties for violations, including significant fines for manufacturers and contractors who fail to comply with proper disposal and collection requirements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6765