WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 647

Expands use of videoconferencing to purely advisory bodies

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Skoufis

Establish a statewide, manufacturer-funded program to collect, reuse, and recycle postconsumer architectural paint in Massachusetts, funded by a consumer purchase fee.

COMMITTED TO RULES
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 647

Summary — S.647 (An Act relative to paint recycling)

Status: Committed to Rules (as of 2025-06-13)
Introduced: January–February 2025 (filed Jan 12 / introduced Feb 20, 2025)
Primary sponsor (per bill text): Patrick M. O'Connor (with multiple co‑petitions)

Note on record inconsistencies: The bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate lists Patrick M. O’Connor and several state senators as petitioners. Some metadata provided (alternate sponsor list and an initial title referencing videoconferencing) appears inconsistent with the bill text; this summary follows the bill text, which establishes a paint‑recycling stewardship program.

Purpose / Intent

Establish a statewide, manufacturer‑funded postconsumer architectural paint stewardship program to reduce paint waste, promote reuse and recycling, and ensure environmentally sound management of leftover architectural paint in Massachusetts.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 9 to Chapter 21H (Department of Environmental Protection) creating a mandatory postconsumer paint stewardship program.
  • Definitions: clarifies “architectural paint” (interior/exterior coatings in containers ≤5 gallons, excluding industrial/specialty coatings), “postconsumer paint,” “manufacturer,” “representative organization,” “collection site,” etc.
  • Plan requirement: Each manufacturer or a nonprofit representative organization must submit a program plan to the DEP describing:
    • Participating manufacturers and brands and covered product types.
    • A convenient, cost‑effective statewide collection network (may coordinate with household hazardous waste programs).
    • Collection site goals and geographic distribution: at least 90% of residents within 15 miles of a site; at least one site per 50,000 residents in an Urbanized Area (unless DEP approves otherwise).
    • Management hierarchy: prioritize reuse, then recycling, then energy recovery, and finally disposal.
    • Consumer education and outreach, including disclosure that a program fee will be included in the purchase price of architectural paint sold in the Commonwealth.
    • Independent audit to verify that any added fee does not exceed the costs to operate and sustain the program; auditor selected by the stewardship organization in consultation with DEP; audit costs paid by the program.
  • DEP review: Commissioner must approve or disapprove a submitted plan in writing within 60 days.
  • Enforcement: DEP will enforce plans and may adopt regulations and require plan amendments. Information on approved plans, participating producers and brands must be posted on DEP’s website by the program implementation date.

Who is affected

  • Manufacturers and brands of architectural paint sold in Massachusetts (obligated to participate or join a representative organization).
  • Paint retailers (may volunteer to serve as collection sites if they comply with requirements).
  • Consumers: will pay a program fee incorporated into paint purchase prices; will have expanded collection/reuse/recycling options.
  • Local waste management programs and reuse/recycling processors (potential coordination partners).
  • DEP (implementation, oversight, enforcement).

Financial and operational impacts

  • Program funded by a fee added to paint sales; independent audit required to confirm fee level matches program costs.
  • Costs of implementing collection networks, outreach, audits, and management borne by manufacturers/representative organization (passed through to consumers via fee).
  • Emphasis on reuse and recycling may reduce disposal volumes and municipal hazardous waste burdens over time.

Procedural timeline / next steps

  • Hearing(s) scheduled and committee activity recorded (hearing 05/06/2025 per docket).
  • Reported favorably by committee and referred to Senate Ways & Means (07/03/2025).
  • Current legislative status: COMMITTED TO RULES (as of 2025‑06‑13). Further floor action, enactment, and implementation dates will follow legislative passage and any DEP rulemaking.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.