2023 -- H 5502 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL

RESOURCES FROM PLASTIC BOTTLE WASTE

     Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Bennett, Cortvriend, Knight, Caldwell,
McGaw, Fogarty, Potter, Cruz, and Kislak

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2023

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     WHEREAS, Plastic pollution is dangerous to the health of our oceans, harms our marine

species, contributes to climate change, and is a major component of unsightly litter both on our

lands and in our waters; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is on a path towards achieving net-zero carbon emission and

reducing our plastic refuse; and

     WHEREAS, Plastics are found throughout our environment from street drains to

waterways; and

     WHEREAS, It is in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of residents and

visitors to Rhode Island to protect our environment and natural resources from plastic waste;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special joint legislative commission be and the same is hereby

created consisting of eighteen (18) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the Senate,

not more than two (2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the

Senate; and three (3) of whom shall be members of the House, not more than two (2) from the

same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the

Director of the Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of whom shall be

the Director of Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, or designee; one of whom shall be

the Executive Director of Save the Bay, or designee; one of whom shall be the Executive Director

of Clean Water Action, or designee; one of whom shall be the President of the Rhode Island

Beverage Association, or designee; one of whom shall be from the Rhode Island Alcohol

Beverage Distributors, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the

Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Dealers, or designee; one of whom shall be the

President and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers, or designee; one of whom shall be from the

Rhode Island Liquor Collaborative, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom

shall be the Executive Director of the RI Audubon Society, or designee; one of whom shall be a

Rhode Island attorney who specializes in environmental law, to be appointed by the Speaker of

the House; and one of whom shall be a representative from a local convenience store, to be

appointed by the President of the Senate.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing

authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator, provided that

the majority leader or the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the

appointment consents to the member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall include, but not be limited to:

     A comprehensive study on the issues with current practices for recycling of plastic

bottles, miniature alcoholic beverage containers, and single-use plastic packaging;

     · Identify pathways to improve the state's ability to address and recycle plastic bottles,

miniature alcoholic beverage containers, and single-use plastic packaging;

     · Compare container deposit programs and extender producer responsibility recycling

programs, including their methods and administration, that rely on state administration with those

that utilize third-party nonprofit entity administration;

     · Waste diversion;

     · Provide recommendations for market-based recycling opportunities for plastic bottles

and miniature alcoholic beverage containers; and

     · Review and evaluate refund balances on bottle utilization.

      By September 1, 2023, upon passage of the joint resolution, the members of the joint

legislative commission shall meet at the call of the Speaker of the House and the President of the

Senate to organize and shall select two (2) co-chairpersons from among the legislators.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state, shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

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     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

General Assembly no later than June 10, 2024, and said commission shall expire on June 30,

2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL

RESOURCES FROM PLASTIC BOTTLE WASTE

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     This resolution would create an eighteen (18) member special joint legislative

commission whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations to protect our

environment from plastic bottle waste, and who would report back to the General Assembly no

later than June 10, 2024, and whose life would expire on June 30, 2024.

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