Below is an update on big ticket recent activity across the states in the Eastern Region. As always, please reach out with any questions.
NEW YORK
After many months of waiting on amendments, the new draft of EPR proposal HB1749-A/SB1464-A was dropped this week. In short, while there are amendments we can support, this new draft in no way moves the needle on our opposition to this bill. Source reduction, the advanced recycling ban, the toxics list, and a 100% reimbursement structure are still included. And the affordability and food accessibility concerns will not be remedied by this new draft either. Further, recycling rate adherence for materials will now be determined based on the delivery of such materials to responsible end markets, which will inevitably make meeting such rates ever more difficult for certain plastics. A comprehensive chart outlining the changes to the bill can be found here.
Next legislative steps:
The bill will need to move through the Senate committee process again and has been scheduled for a hearing in Senate Environmental Conservation next week on Tuesday May 5th at 11:30am. As is customary within the Senate when a bill has already passed the full chamber, the bill will re-pass quickly.
🚨I will be hosting a PLASTICS Eastern Region GA Call to go over this bill specifically alongside our retained Albany lobbyists, and other pertinent state items. Due to the quick committee action in the NY Senate, this call will be held next Friday, May 8th at 2pm EST. If you or a colleague is interested in joining, please use this request form to be put on the email list ASAP and receive the meeting invite. 🚨
The Assembly version still sits on the Floor awaiting a call for a vote. Seeing as the affordability aspect is still a huge problem, the opposition to the bill within the Assembly Democrat conference has not changed. While the sponsors are touting this as a full compromise with industry, our messaging still remains clear and effective. While Session is scheduled to adjourn on Thursday, June 4th, they will more than likely go over at least one or two days. However, NY’s primary election is the end of June and all will be eager to get back to their districts to get election season underway. This along with the late Budget, which still hasn’t been finalized, work in our favor timewise. We can expect this to be an end of Session push in the Assembly as has been in previous years.
Next PLASTICS steps:
PLASTICS will be at the Capitol for a scheduled lobby day the week of May 18th and subsequential various days before and thereafter. If your company or lobbyist will be in town these next few weeks, please feel free to reach out and let me know if you’d like any assistance in your meetings.
CONNECTICUT
The proposed ban on expanded polystyrene, HB 5524, has officially been dropped by the Democrats for this year and will not move forward. The fiscal note cited a $1.8 million per year cost to the State and localities, which brought strong opposition from municipal and education groups. A large effort by PLASTICS and industry was made this year, including providing opposition testimony during its hearing and larger scale lobbying efforts which helped bring the large problems with the bill to light.
ILLINOIS
The ban on expanded polystyrene proposed under SB1531, which passed the Senate in 2025, is currently on the House floor. Efforts have ramped up to fight the bill, and PLASTICS will be in Springfield in May for an association lobby day, along with other state groups such as the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois (CICI) and the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association (IMA) who are hosting additional lobby days that will represent industry’s concerns.
Intel surrounding this bill indicates that although it is popular among Democrats, there is not enough votes to reach the needed 60 yet. Labor and workforce implications for the state have played a large part in securing opposition from many House representatives, with Speaker Welch stating this isn’t a priority for him due to the potential loss of jobs. Session adjourns May 31st.
MASSACHUSETTS
A comprehensive environmental bond bill, SB3050, was expeditiously and rather quietly passed through the Senate earlier this month. While it touches various aspects of the environmental landscape in the Commonwealth, it includes multiple provisions related to plastic including: a ban on advanced recycling, limitations on single use plastic food-ware items, and language regarding plastic bags. It is currently awaiting action in the House where, if passed, the next step will be sending the bill to conference committee where both Legislative bodies will come together to hash out amendments before it is sent back for final passage. While the Massachusetts House generally does not pass such extreme plastics related measures, there is a good chance it will at least make it out of the House as is this year. It’s become an all-hands-on-deck approach amongst PLASTICS and our industry partners to fight this legislation now and during the conference committee timeframe, if it should make it that far.
Danielle Fortunato
Regional Director, State Government Affairs
d. 202.974.5230 | m. 516.690.1899
plasticsindustry.org
