PRINTER'S NO.  787

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE BILL

 

No.

708

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY ROSS, THOMAS, ARGALL, CARROLL, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, DePASQUALE, FLECK, GEORGE, GIBBONS, HESS, JOSEPHS, MANDERINO, MANN, McGEEHAN, MELIO, MILLER, MILNE, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PRESTON, QUINN, REICHLEY, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SONNEY, STERN, VULAKOVICH, WANSACZ AND WATSON, MARCH 4, 2009

  

  

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, MARCH 4, 2009  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

1

Establishing a recycling program for certain covered devices;

2

imposing duties on manufacturers and retailers of certain

3

covered devices; providing for the powers and duties of the

4

Department of Environmental Protection and for enforcement;

5

and prescribing penalties.

6

TABLE OF CONTENTS

7

Chapter 1.  Preliminary Provisions

8

Section 101.  Short title.

9

Section 102.  Definitions.

10

Chapter 3.  Duties of Manufacturers and Retailers

11

Section 301.  Applicability.

12

Section 302.  Sales prohibition.

13

Section 303.  Labeling requirement.

14

Section 304.  Registration.

15

Section 305.  Manufacturer plan and reporting.

16

Section 306.  Retailer responsibility.

17

Chapter 5.  Administration

 


1

Section 501.  Duties of department.

2

Section 502.  Annual report.

3

Section 503.  Additional duties.

4

Section 504.  Fees for collection or recycling of covered

5

devices.

6

Section 505.  Environmentally sound management requirements.

7

Section 506.  Disposal ban.

8

Section 507.  Enforcement.

9

Section 508.  Regulations.

10

Section 509.  Multistate implementation.

11

Chapter 7.  Miscellaneous Provisions

12

Section 701.  Expiration.

13

Section 702.  Effective date.

14

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

15

hereby enacts as follows:

16

CHAPTER 1

17

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

18

Section 101.  Short title.

19

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Covered

20

Device Recycling Act.

21

Section 102.  Definitions.

22

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall

23

have the meanings given to them in this section unless the

24

context clearly indicates otherwise:

25

"Brand."  Symbols, words or marks that identify a covered

26

device, rather than any of its components.

27

"Computer."  A desktop or notebook computer. The term does

28

not include an automated typewriter, electronic printer,

29

professional workstation, server, mobile telephone, portable

30

handheld calculator, portable digital assistant, MP3 player or

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1

other similar device. The term also does not include a computer

2

peripheral commonly known as a cable, mouse or keyboard.

3

"Computer manufacturer."  A person:

4

(1)  who manufactures or manufactured covered computer

5

devices under a brand that it owns or owned or is or was

6

licensed to use, other than a license to manufacture covered

7

devices for delivery exclusively to or at the order of the

8

licensor;

9

(2)  who sells or sold covered devices manufactured by

10

others under a brand that the seller owns or owned or is or

11

was licensed to use, other than a license to manufacture

12

covered devices for delivery exclusively to or at the order

13

of the licensor; or

14

(3)  for whose account covered devices were manufactured

15

outside the United States and are or were imported into the

16

United States, but this paragraph shall not apply if, at the

17

time such covered devices are or were imported into the

18

United States, another person has offered to collect the

19

covered devices under a recovery plan pursuant to section

20

5(c).

21

This term does not mean any person who both owns and licenses

22

the brand appearing on the covered computer device and has not

23

also manufactured or sold covered computer devices.

24

"Consumer."  An occupant of a single detached dwelling unit

25

or a single unit of a multiple dwelling unit who has used a

26

covered device primarily for personal or home business use.

27

"Covered computer device."  A desktop or notebook computer or

28

computer monitor, marketed and intended for use by a consumer.

29

The term does not include a covered television device.

30

"Covered device."  A covered computer device and covered

- 3 -

 


1

television device marketed and intended for use by a consumer.

2

The term does not include:

3

(1)  a device that is a part of a motor vehicle or any

4

component part of a motor vehicle assembled by or for a

5

vehicle manufacturer or franchised dealer, including

6

replacement parts for use in a motor vehicle;

7

(2)  a device that is functionally or physically a part

8

of or connected to or integrated within equipment or a system

9

designed and intended for use in an industrial, governmental,

10

commercial, research and development or medical setting,

11

including, but not limited to, diagnostic, monitoring,

12

control or medical products as defined under the Federal

13

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (52 Stat. 1040, 21 U.S.C. § 301

14

et seq.), or equipment used for security, sensing,

15

monitoring, antiterrorism, emergency services purposes or

16

equipment designed and intended primarily for use by

17

professional users;

18

(3)  a device that is contained within a clothes washer,

19

clothes dryer, refrigerator, refrigerator and freezer,

20

microwave oven, conventional oven or range, dishwasher, room

21

air conditioner, dehumidifier, air purifier or exercise

22

equipment; or

23

(4)  any of the following:

24

(i)  Telephone of any type, including a mobile phone.

25

(ii)  Personal digital assistant.

26

(iii)  Global positioning system.

27

"Covered television device."  An electronic device that

28

contains a tuner that locks on to a selected carrier frequency

29

and is capable of receiving and displaying television or video

30

programming via broadcast, cable or satellite, including,

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1

without limitation, any direct view or projection television

2

with a viewable screen of four inches or larger whose display

3

technology is based on cathode ray tube, plasma, liquid crystal,

4

digital light processing, liquid crystal on silicon, silicon

5

crystal reflective display, light emitting diode or similar

6

technology marketed and intended for use by a consumer primarily

7

for personal purposes. The term does not include a covered

8

computer device.

9

"Department."  The Department of Environmental Protection of

10

the Commonwealth.

11

"Desktop computer."  An electronic, magnetic, optical,

12

electrochemical or other high-speed data processing device

13

which:

14

(1)  Performs logical, arithmetic and storage functions

15

for general purpose needs which are met through interaction

16

with a number of software programs contained in the device.

17

(2)  Is not designed to exclusively perform a specific

18

type of limited or specialized application.

19

(3)  Achieves human interface through a stand-alone

20

keyboard, stand-alone monitor or other display unit and a

21

stand-alone mouse or other pointing device and is designed

22

for a single user.

23

(4)  Has a main unit that is intended to be persistently

24

located in a single location, often on a desk or on the

25

floor.

26

"Market share."  A television manufacturer's prior year's

27

sales of covered television devices, in units, expressed as a

28

percentage of the total of all television manufacturers' prior

29

year sales, in units, for all covered television devices.

30

"New covered device."  A covered device or a covered

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1

television device that is manufactured after the effective date

2

of this section.

3

"Notebook computer."  An electronic, magnetic, optical,

4

electrochemical or other high-speed data processing device

5

which:

6

(1)  Performs logical, arithmetic or storage functions

7

for general purpose needs which are met through interaction

8

with a number of software programs contained in the device.

9

(2)  Is not designed to exclusively perform a specific

10

type of limited or specialized application.

11

(3)  Achieves human interface through a keyboard, video

12

display greater than four inches in size and mouse or other

13

pointing device, all of which are contained within the

14

construction of the unit which comprises the notebook

15

computer.

16

(4)  Can be carried as one unit by an individual.

17

(5)  May include a supplemental stand-alone interface

18

device.

19

(6)  May use external, internal or batteries for a power

20

source.

21

The term does not include a portable handheld calculator,

22

portable digital assistant or similar specialized device.

23

"Obligated share."  The proportion of covered computer

24

devices that reflects a manufacturer's returns share or covered

25

television devices that reflects a manufacturer's market share

26

responsibility under this act.

27

"Orphan device."  A covered computer device for which no

28

manufacturer may be identified.

29

"Person."  An individual, trust, firm, joint stock company,

30

business concern, corporation, government agency, partnership,

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1

limited liability company or association.

2

"Program year."  A full calendar year beginning on or after

3

January 1, 2011.

4

"Purchase."  The taking by sale of title in exchange for

5

consideration.

6

"Recycling."  A process by which covered devices that would

7

otherwise become solid waste or hazardous waste are collected,

8

transported, separated and processed, including disassembling,

9

dismantling or shredding, to be returned to use in the form of

10

raw materials or products in accordance with environmental

11

standards established by the Department of Environmental

12

Protection.

13

"Retail sales."  The sale of covered devices through sales

14

outlets, via the Internet, mail order or other means, regardless

15

of whether the retailer has a physical presence within this

16

Commonwealth.

17

"Retailer."  A person who offers for sale, other than for

18

resale by the purchaser, new covered devices in this

19

Commonwealth by any means, including, but not limited to, sales

20

outlets, catalogs or the Internet.

21

"Return share."  The proportion of covered computer devices

22

for which an individual manufacturer is responsible to collect,

23

transport and recycle.

24

"Return share in weight."  The total weight of covered

25

computer devices for which a manufacturer is responsible to

26

collect, transport and recycle.

27

"Sale" or "sell."  A transfer for consideration of title,

28

including, but not limited to, a transaction conducted through a

29

sales outlet, catalog, the Internet or any other similar

30

electronic means. The term does not include a lease.

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1

"Secretary."  The Secretary of Environmental Protection of

2

the Commonwealth.

3

"Television manufacturer."  A person who:

4

(1)  manufactures covered television devices under a

5

brand that it licenses or owns for sale in this Commonwealth

6

but does not include a person who manufactures, sells or

7

resells a television device under a brand it licenses, the

8

licensor or brand owner of the brand;

9

(2)  manufactures covered television devices without

10

affixing a brand for sale in this Commonwealth;

11

(3)  resells into this Commonwealth a covered television

12

device under a brand it owns or licenses produced by other

13

suppliers, including a retail establishment that sells

14

covered television devices under a brand the retailer owns or

15

licenses but does not include a person who manufactures,

16

sells or resells a television device under a brand it

17

licenses, the licensor or brand owner of the brand;

18

(4)  imports into the United States or exports from the

19

United States covered television devices for sale in this

20

Commonwealth;

21

(5)  sells at retail a covered television device acquired

22

from an importer that is the manufacturer as described in

23

paragraph (4) and elects to register in lieu of the importer

24

as the manufacturer for those products;

25

(6)  manufactures covered television devices, supplies

26

them to any person or persons within a distribution network

27

that includes wholesalers or retailers in this Commonwealth

28

and benefits from the sale in this Commonwealth of those

29

covered television devices through such distribution network;

30

or

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1

(7)  assumes the responsibilities and obligations of a

2

television manufacturer under this act.

3

CHAPTER 3

4

DUTIES OF MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS

5

Section 301.  Applicability.

6

The collection, transportation and recycling provisions of

7

this act shall apply only to covered devices used by and

8

collected from a consumer in this Commonwealth.

9

Section 302.  Sales prohibition.

10

(a)  General rule.--No manufacturer or retailer may sell or

11

offer for sale in this Commonwealth a new covered device unless

12

the brand is included on the list of registered manufacturers

13

and their brands maintained by the department pursuant to

14

subsection (b).

15

(b)  List to be maintained by department.--Beginning April 1,

16

2010, the department shall maintain a list of each registered

17

manufacturer, the brands of all covered devices reported in each

18

manufacturer's registration and the brands of covered devices

19

for which no manufacturer has registered and post the list on

20

the department's Internet website.

21

(c)  Duty of retailers to consult list.--

22

(1)  A retailer of new covered devices to be offered for

23

sale in or into this Commonwealth shall consult the list

24

prior to selling new covered devices in this Commonwealth.

25

(2)  A retailer shall be considered to have complied with

26

paragraph (1) if, on the date that the new covered device was

27

ordered from the retailer, the brand was on the list of

28

registered manufacturers and is posted on the Internet

29

website identified in subsection (b).

30

Section 303.  Labeling requirement.

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1

On or after the effective date of this section, no

2

manufacturer or retailer may sell or offer for sale in this

3

Commonwealth a new covered device unless it is labeled with the

4

manufacturer's name and brand whether owned or licensed.

5

Section 304.  Registration.

6

(a)  Manufacturers registration.--

7

(1)  A manufacturer of new covered devices offered for

8

sale in this Commonwealth shall register with the department

9

by January 30, 2011, and pay a registration fee of $5,000.

10

(2)  After January 30, 2011, if a manufacturer has not

11

previously filed a registration, the manufacturer shall file

12

a registration with the department prior to any offer for

13

sale or delivery in this Commonwealth of the manufacturer's

14

new covered devices and shall pay to the department a

15

registration fee of $5,000.

16

(3)  A registered manufacturer shall submit an annual

17

renewal of its registration to the department and pay to the

18

department a registration fee of $5,000 by January 1 of each

19

program year. The registration and each annual renewal shall

20

include a list of all brands the manufacturer is using on its

21

covered devices regardless of whether the manufacturer owns

22

or licenses the brand, and shall be effective upon receipt by

23

the department.

24

(b)  Reporting by computer manufacturers.--By April 1, 2010,

25

the department shall establish a procedure for an auditable,

26

statistically significant sampling of covered computer devices

27

collected from consumers in this Commonwealth and an audit

28

procedure for the sampling results. The results of the sampling

29

shall consist of a list of brands of covered computer devices

30

and the weight of covered computer devices of each brand. Prior

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1

to final adoption of the sampling procedure, the department

2

shall notify the public, including all registered manufacturers

3

selling computer devices, of the availability of the proposed

4

sampling procedure, shall provide a 30-day public comment period

5

and shall prepare and make available to the public a written

6

response to public comments received during the public comment

7

period.

8

(c)  Reporting by television manufacturers.--

9

(1)  In addition to reporting all brands under which its

10

covered television devices are offered for sale, regardless

11

of whether the television manufacturer owns or licenses the

12

brand, the television manufacturer's annual report shall

13

include the market share of all new covered television

14

devices sold in this Commonwealth in the previous program

15

year. The market share for a television manufacturer shall be

16

determined using sales data submitted to the manufacturer or

17

the department by retailers pursuant to section 306(b).

18

(2)  During the first program year after the effective

19

date of this section registered television manufacturers

20

shall collect data on the total weight of new covered

21

televisions sold during that year. The television

22

manufacturer's program obligations for the second and

23

subsequent program years shall be based upon the television

24

manufacturer's total weight in pounds multiplied by the

25

television manufacturer's market share in the previous

26

program year.

27

(3)  When a manufacturer or group of manufacturers

28

conducts its own collection, transportation and recycling

29

program for covered devices, the manufacturer or group of

30

manufacturers shall submit a report to the department

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1

annually by January 30, beginning the year after the program

2

is initiated. The report, sampling, if applicable, and

3

weighing required by this paragraph shall be paid for by the

4

manufacturer or group of manufacturers. The report shall

5

consist of:

6

(i)  The total weight of covered computer devices,

7

including orphan share or covered television devices,

8

collected from consumers in this Commonwealth by the

9

manufacturer or group of manufacturers during the

10

previous program year and documentation verifying

11

collection and recycling of such devices.

12

(ii)  The results of a statistically significant

13

sampling, if applicable, conducted in accordance with the

14

sampling procedure established by the department pursuant

15

to paragraph (1) of covered computer devices collected

16

from consumers in this Commonwealth by the manufacturer

17

or group of manufacturers during the previous program

18

year. The manufacturer shall audit the sampling results

19

in accordance with the audit procedure established by the

20

department pursuant to paragraph (1). The sampling may be

21

conducted by a third-party organization, including a

22

recycler, to be determined by the manufacturer or group

23

of manufacturers.

24

Section 305.  Manufacturer plan and reporting.

25

(a)  Collection, transportation and recycling plan.--

26

(1)  A manufacturer shall establish, conduct and manage a

27

plan to collect, transport and recycle a quantity of covered

28

computer devices equal to the manufacturer's return share in

29

weight or, in the case of covered television devices, the

30

manufacturer's market share. The plan shall be submitted to

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1

the department for review.

2

(2)  A group of manufacturers may submit a joint plan to

3

collect, transport and recycle the sum of the return shares

4

in weight in the case of covered computer devices of each

5

participating manufacturer or, in the case of covered

6

television devices, the television manufacturer's market

7

share.

8

(b)  Contents of plan.--The plan required under subsection

9

(a) shall include:

10

(1)  Methods that will be used to collect the covered

11

devices, including the name and locations of proposed

12

collection sites.

13

(2)  The processes that will be used to recycle,

14

including a description of the recycling processes that will

15

be used and the names and locations of recyclers to be

16

directly utilized by the plan.

17

(3)  Means that will be utilized to publicize the

18

collection opportunities, including specification of an

19

Internet website address or toll-free telephone number that

20

provides information about the manufacturer's program in

21

sufficient detail to allow consumers to learn how to return

22

their covered devices for recycling.

23

(4)  The intention of the manufacturer or each

24

manufacturer to fulfill its obligated share under this act,

25

through operation of its own program, either individually or

26

with other manufacturers as a group.

27

(5)  A listing of all collection sites for covered

28

electronic devices and covered television devices.

29

(c)  Approval of plan.--

30

(1)  The department shall review a plan submitted to it

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1

under subsection (a) and, within 60 days of receipt of the

2

plan, determine whether the plan complies with the provisions

3

of this act.

4

(2)  If the department approves the plan, the department

5

shall notify the manufacturer or group of manufacturers. If

6

the department rejects the plan, in whole or in part, the

7

department shall notify the manufacturer or group of

8

manufacturers and provide the reasons for the plan's

9

rejection. Rejection of a plan shall be based on the plan's

10

failure to provide the information required by subsection

11

(b).

12

(3)  Within 30 days after receipt of the department's

13

rejection, the manufacturer or group of manufacturers may

14

revise and resubmit the plan to the department for approval.

15

(d)  Effect of failure to comply with approval plan.--

16

(1)  (i)  If the total weight in pounds of covered

17

devices collected, transported and recycled during a

18

program year by a manufacturer or group of manufacturers

19

is less than the sum of the obligated shares in weight

20

for that program year of each manufacturer participating

21

in the plan, the manufacturer or group of manufacturers

22

shall submit to the department, by March 15 of the

23

following program year, a payment to cover the cost of

24

collecting, transporting and recycling the unmet portion

25

of the sum of the obligated shares in weight.

26

(ii)  The payment shall be equal to the quantity of

27

the unmet portion, in pounds, plus an additional 10% of

28

such quantity, multiplied by the cost per pound for

29

collection, transportation and recycling of covered

30

devices.

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1

(iii)  All payments collected under subparagraph (ii)

2

shall be deposited into the Recycling Fund and shall be

3

used to fund the activities under section 501 and other

4

recycling programs within this Commonwealth.

5

(2)  The department shall:

6

(i)  Determine the average cost for collection and

7

transportation of covered devices to be used in

8

calculating the penalties under this paragraph.

9

(ii)  No more frequently than annually and no less

10

frequently than biennially review these costs and shall

11

publish for public comment any proposed changes to these

12

costs.

13

(e)  Multiple computer manufacturers.--

14

(1)  Where more than one person may be deemed the

15

computer manufacturer of a brand of a covered computer

16

device, any one or more such persons may assume

17

responsibility for and satisfy the obligations of a

18

manufacturer under this act with respect to covered computer

19

devices bearing that brand.

20

(2)  In the event that no person assumes responsibility

21

for and satisfies the obligations of a computer manufacturer

22

under this act with respect to covered devices bearing that

23

brand, for purposes of compliance with these provisions, the

24

responsible party shall be the person who satisfies paragraph

25

(1) of the definition of computer manufacturer.

26

(f)  Construction.--Nothing in this act shall be construed to

27

exempt any person from liability that person would otherwise

28

have under applicable law.

29

Section 306.  Retailer responsibility.

30

(a)  Public notice.--A retailer shall clearly post and

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1

provide information provided by the department that describes

2

where and how to recycle a covered device and opportunities and

3

locations for the collection and return of the covered device,

4

through the use of a toll-free telephone number and Internet

5

website, information included in the packaging or information

6

provided accompanying the sale of the covered device.

7

(b)  Sales.--

8

(1)  A retailer who sells a new covered television device

9

during a calendar year shall report the number and weight of

10

new covered television devices from each television

11

manufacturer sold by that retailer during that calendar year

12

to the department within 30 days of the end of the calendar

13

year. The report submitted by the retailer to the department

14

shall be exempt from disclosure under the provisions of the

15

act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Right-

16

to-Know Law, and shall not be disclosed by the department

17

unless otherwise required by law or court order, however, all

18

aggregated data compiled by the department shall not be

19

exempt from the provisions of the Right-to-Know Law.

20

(2)  The department shall utilize this data exclusively

21

to calculate a covered television manufacturer's market

22

share.

23

(3)  A television manufacturer of a covered television

24

device may request of the department a copy of the

25

information on the brands for which they are a manufacturer

26

and which brands may be included in the report submitted by a

27

retailer to the department. The department shall only provide

28

information on the brands the television manufacturer is

29

using, regardless of whether the television manufacturer

30

licenses or owns the brands, and this information shall be

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1

exempt from the provisions of the Right-to-Know Law.

2

(4)  A retailer shall comply with sections 302(a) and (c)

3

and 303.

4

CHAPTER 5

5

ADMINISTRATION

6

Section 501.  Duties of department.

7

The department shall:

8

(1)  Encourage the use of existing collection and

9

consolidation infrastructure for handling covered devices to

10

the extent that this infrastructure is accessible on a

11

regular and ongoing basis to at least 85% of the population

12

of this Commonwealth, is cost effective and meets the

13

environmentally sound management requirements of section 506.

14

(2)  Update the list maintained pursuant to section

15

302(b) upon receipt by the department of a manufacturer's

16

registration or an annual manufacturer registration renewal.

17

(3)  Organize and coordinate public education and

18

outreach. The department shall work with retailers to develop

19

the appropriate public education and outreach materials and

20

to assist retailers as necessary in the conduct of their

21

public education and outreach efforts.

22

(4)  Review all plans submitted by a manufacturer or

23

group of manufacturers for the collection, transportation and

24

recycling of covered devices.

25

(5)  Oversee the implementation of all approved plans and

26

take the necessary actions to ensure compliance with approved

27

plans.

28

Section 502.  Annual report.

29

The department shall prepare and submit annually to the

30

General Assembly and post on its Internet website a report that

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1

includes:

2

(1)  The total weight of covered computer devices or

3

covered television devices collected in this Commonwealth

4

during the previous calendar year.

5

(2)  A complete listing of all manufacturers' collection,

6

transportation and recycling programs and collection sites

7

operating in this Commonwealth during the prior calendar

8

year, the parties that operated them and the amount of

9

material by weight collected at each site.

10

(3)  An evaluation of the effectiveness of the education

11

and outreach program.

12

(4)  An evaluation of the existing collection and

13

processing infrastructure.

14

(5)  Recommendations for expanding the program to include

15

additional electronic devices. All recommendations shall be

16

accompanied by an analysis of the positive and negative

17

aspects along with a cost benefit analysis of the

18

recommendations.

19

Section 503.  Additional duties.

20

The department shall:

21

(1)  Maintain an Internet website and toll-free telephone

22

number complete with up-to-date listings of where consumers

23

may take covered computer devices or covered television

24

devices for recycling under this act.

25

(2)  No more frequently than annually and no less

26

frequently than biennially, review at a public hearing the

27

amount of the covered computer device and covered television

28

device recycling and registration fee. Recommended changes to

29

the covered computer device and covered television device

30

recycling program and registration fees shall be included in

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1

the annual report.

2

Section 504.  Fees for collection or recycling of covered

3

computer devices.

4

No manufacturer or retailer may charge a fee or cost to a

5

consumer for the collection, transportation or recycling of a

6

covered electronic device or a covered television device.

7

Section 505.  Environmentally sound management requirements.

8

(a)  General rule.--Covered devices collected through any

9

program in this Commonwealth, whether by a manufacturer,

10

retailer, for-profit or not-for-profit corporation or unit of

11

government, shall be recycled in a manner that is in compliance

12

with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, regulations

13

and ordinances and may not be exported for disposal in a manner

14

that poses a significant risk to the public health or the

15

environment.

16

(b)  Performance requirements.--The department shall

17

establish performance requirements to conduct collection,

18

transportation and recycling programs for covered devices. All

19

entities shall, at a minimum, demonstrate compliance with the

20

Environmental Protection Agency's: Guidelines for Materials

21

Management of the Partnership referred to as Plug-In to eCycling

22

as issued and make this available on the Internet website

23

described in subsection (c) in addition to any other

24

requirements mandated by Federal or State law.

25

(c)  Department to maintain Internet website.--The department

26

shall maintain an Internet website that includes a list of

27

entities and organizations that the department has determined

28

have met the performance requirements.

29

Section 506.  Disposal ban.

30

(a)  General rule.--Two years after the effective date of

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1

this section, no person may place in municipal solid waste a

2

covered device or any of the components or subassemblies

3

thereof, excluding any nonhazardous residuals produced during

4

recycling in any solid waste disposal facility.

5

(b)  Hold harmless.--An owner or operator of a solid waste

6

disposal facility shall not be found in violation of this

7

section if such owner or operator has:

8

(1)  made a good faith effort to comply with this

9

section;

10

(2)  posted in a conspicuous location at the facility a

11

sign stating that covered electronic devices and covered

12

television devices or any components thereof shall not be

13

accepted at such facility; and

14

(3)  notified, in writing, all collectors registered to

15

deposit solid waste to such facility that such devices or

16

components shall not be accepted at the facility.

17

(c)  Definition.--For purposes of this section, "facility"

18

shall have the same meaning given to it in section 103 of the

19

act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste

20

Management Act. The term does not include a transfer station.

21

Section 507.  Enforcement.

22

(a)  Judicial action.--

23

(1)  The Commonwealth, through the Attorney General and

24

the department, may initiate independent action to enforce

25

any provision of this act, including failure by the

26

manufacturer to remit the registration fee pursuant to

27

section 304(a) to the department.

28

(2)  Any funds awarded by the court shall be used first

29

to offset enforcement expenses. Money in excess of the

30

enforcement expenses shall be deposited into the Recycling

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1

Fund and used to support the activities under section 501 and

2

other recycling programs within this Commonwealth.

3

(b)  Penalties.--

4

(1)  Any manufacturer who fails to label its new covered

5

devices with a brand, as required by section 303, who fails

6

to register with the department and pay a registration fee,

7

as required by section 304(a), may be assessed a penalty of

8

up to $10,000 for the first violation and up to $25,000 for

9

the second and each subsequent violation in addition to

10

paying for any fees, payments and penalties required by or

11

imposed pursuant to this act.

12

(2)  Except as otherwise provided under paragraph (1),

13

any person, including a retailer, who violates any

14

requirement of this act may be assessed a penalty of up to

15

$1,000 for the first violation and up to $2,000 for the

16

second and each subsequent violation, in addition to paying

17

for any fees, payments and penalties required by or imposed

18

pursuant to this act.

19

(3)  All penalty moneys collected under paragraphs (1)

20

and (2) shall be deposited into the Recycling Fund and used

21

to support the activities under section 501 and other

22

recycling programs within this Commonwealth.

23

(c)  Injunctive relief.--A violation of the sales

24

prohibitions of this act may be enjoined in an action in the

25

name of the Commonwealth, brought by the Attorney General.

26

Section 508.  Regulations.

27

The department may adopt rules and regulations as shall be

28

necessary for the purpose of administering this act. The

29

regulations shall be promulgated in accordance with the act of

30

June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory Review

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1

Act.

2

Section 509.  Multistate implementation.

3

The department may participate in the establishment and

4

implementation of a regional, multistate organization or compact

5

to assist in carrying out the requirements of this act.

6

CHAPTER 7

7

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

8

Section 701.  Expiration.

9

(a)  Duty of Secretary of Environmental Protection to monitor

10

Federal law.--

11

(1)  The secretary shall monitor the enactment of laws by

12

the Congress of the United States to determined whether any

13

law has been so enacted that establishes a program directed

14

to the collection and recycling of covered devices.

15

(2)  If the secretary determines that such a law is

16

enacted, the secretary shall publish that determination as a

17

notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The notice shall include

18

a statement that the effect of the notice is the immediate

19

expiration of this act as provided under subsection (b).

20

(b)  Effect of secretary's determination.--This act shall

21

expire on the date a determination of the secretary under

22

subsection (a) is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

23

Section 702.  Effective date.

24

This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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