Signed by Governor Tina Kotek

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes stores that accept bottle returns to refuse service after 8:00 PM, and authorizes state approval of alternative redemption centers.

Highlights:

• Authorizes OLCC to approve Alternative Access Redemption Centers (AARCs) operated by nonprofits in cities with populations over 500,000 (Sec. 2(1)(b)).

• Requires AARCs to provide minimum redemption services in the following: 

• Accept up to 350 containers/person/day (Sec. 2(7)(a));

• Hand-count at least 50 containers (Sec. 2(7)(b)); and

• Offer drop-off for at least 125 containers (Sec. 2(7)(c)).

• Authorizes approval for mobile or satellite redemption site (Sec. 2(8)).

• Requires OLCC to designate convenience zones in the following:

• Up to 3.5 miles for AARC’s (Sec. 3(1)(a)); and

• Up to 5 miles for mobile/satellite sites (Sec. 3(1)(b)).

• Requires the following dealer participation rules based on store size:

• 5,000 sq ft or more can opt into AARC and refuse in-store redemption (Sec. 3(2));

• Less than 5,000 sq ft may limit redemption to 24 containers/day (Sec. 3(3)); and

• Non-participating dealers 5,000 or more sq ft must provide equivalent services and reverse vending machines (Sec. 3(4)).

• Defines “low-impact Convenience Zones” (LICZs) where redemption obligations are reduced due to low volume (Sec. 4(1), Sec. 7(14)).

• Requires OLCC to review redemption zones every three years (Sec. 5).

• Requires OLCC to classify eligible zones as LICCZs by Jan 1, 2026 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes stores that accept bottle returns to refuse service after 8:00 PM, and authorizes state approval of alternative redemption centers.

Highlights:

• Authorizes OLCC to approve Alternative Access Redemption Centers (AARCs) operated by nonprofits in cities with populations over 500,000 (Sec. 2(1)(b)).

• Requires AARCs to provide minimum redemption services in the following: 

• Accept up to 350 containers/person/day (Sec. 2(7)(a));

• Hand-count at least 50 containers (Sec. 2(7)(b)); and

• Offer drop-off for at least 125 containers (Sec. 2(7)(c)).

• Authorizes approval for mobile or satellite redemption site (Sec. 2(8)).

• Requires OLCC to designate convenience zones in the following:

• Up to 3.5 miles for AARC’s (Sec. 3(1)(a)); and

• Up to 5 miles for mobile/satellite sites (Sec. 3(1)(b)).

• Requires the following dealer participation rules based on store size:

• 5,000 sq ft or more can opt into AARC and refuse in-store redemption (Sec. 3(2));

• Less than 5,000 sq ft may limit redemption to 24 containers/day (Sec. 3(3)); and

• Non-participating dealers 5,000 or more sq ft must provide equivalent services and reverse vending machines (Sec. 3(4)).

• Defines “low-impact Convenience Zones” (LICZs) where redemption obligations are reduced due to low volume (Sec. 4(1), Sec. 7(14)).

• Requires OLCC to review redemption zones every three years (Sec. 5).

• Requires OLCC to classify eligible zones as LICCZs by Jan 1, 2026 (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text