Bottle Deposit Law
In 2022, Governor Reynolds signed changes to the Iowa Bottle Deposit Program into law. The changes included increasing the handling fee paid by distributors to redemption centers, which Sierra Club Iowa Chapter supported. However, the bill also allowed retailers the ability to refuse to participate in the program altogether, making it harder for Iowans to participate in the program.
The Legislative Fiscal Review Committee, which last met in 2019, is required to hold a meeting to review how the changes have affected the program and submit a report to the legislature by the start of the 2026 legislative session. It is now mid December and the committee has not scheduled a meeting to review the bottle deposit changes, as required by law.
Ask the members of the Fiscal Committee to schedule the meeting to review the bottle deposit law. Members of Fiscal Committee can be contacted via email sent to tim.kraayenbrink@legis.iowa.gov , gary.mohr@legis.iowa.gov , tony.bisignano@legis.iowa.gov , dan.dawson@legis.iowa.gov , janet.petersen@legis.iowa.gov , dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov , timi.brown-powers@legis.iowa.gov , david.jacoby@legis.iowa.gov , shannon.latham@legis.iowa.gov , carter.nordman@legis.iowa.gov
Chapter 455c requires the committee to review:
the enforcement of chapter 455C by the department of natural resources, including the collection of civil penalties
the report submitted by the attorney general
whether and how many redemption centers have been approved by the department of natural resources
the adequacy of the reimbursement amount under section 455C.2, and
any other information the committee deems important.
“We want to expand the Bottle Redemption Program and make it more accessible. We hope the Legislative Fiscal Review Committee will hold their meeting soon so we can get to work improving the popular and important program. It’s time to schedule the meeting now so they can do a thorough review and not violate Iowa law.” said Jess Mazour, Sierra Club Iowa Chapter Conservation Program Associate.
