Bill
H 3985
Creates MA statewide mattress recycling program funded by a mattress recycling fee, sets annual goals, and expands producer responsibility to boost collection.
Note: the materials provided contain two different pieces of legislation that share the same bill number in separate contexts. One is a Massachusetts draft “An Act relative to promoting the future success of mattress recycling in the Commonwealth” (adds a new section to Chapter 21H). The other is a South Carolina House resolution “Pace Day at the Capitol” recognizing the Pace Center for Girls. Below are concise, separate summaries of each and the procedural status items included in your materials.
Purpose and intent
- Establish a statewide mattress recycling program to increase collection and recycling of discarded mattresses and to close coverage gaps across Massachusetts.
Key provisions (from available text)
- Adds a new Section 9 to Chapter 21H with detailed statutory definitions for terms such as “mattress,” “foundation,” “mattress core,” “discarded mattress,” “producer,” “retailer,” “mattress recycling fee,” “mattress recycling program,” “renovator,” “non‑profit social enterprise organization,” “sanitization,” and “sterilization.”
- Creates the concept of a statewide mattress recycling program that must provide program services, incentives and strategies to improve mattress recycling.
- Authorizes a “mattress recycling fee” to be added to the purchase price of mattresses sold to consumers/ultimate end users in the Commonwealth to fund collection, transportation and processing of discarded mattresses.
- Directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) commissioner to approve “performance goals” (annual metrics) to measure program effectiveness (at minimum: collection and recycling rates and public awareness), considering technical and economic feasibility.
- Broad definitions identify covered entities (e.g., municipal subdivisions, retailers, permitted transfer stations, waste‑to‑energy facilities, health care and educational institutions, military bases, commercial/nonprofit lodging) that possess discarded mattresses; excludes simple transporters and certain items (mattress pads, air mattresses without upholstery, pillows, crib mattresses, upholstered furniture, etc.).
- Recognizes role for non‑profit social enterprise organizations and renovators; lays groundwork for producer responsibility.
Who is affected
- Mattress producers, retailers, renovators, DEP, municipalities and institutional operators (hospitals, schools, corrections, military bases, lodging), waste handling facilities, and ultimately consumers (via a recycling fee). Nonprofit social enterprises in mattress recycling may be supported.
Procedural / timeline (from provided actions)
- Filed/introduced: House Docket No. 4218 (filed 01/17/2025).
- Referred to Environment and Natural Resources: 04/03/2025.
- Hearing scheduled: 05/06/2025.
- Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways & Means: 08/11/2025.
- Related bill: HD 4218 (noted as a replacement).
Purpose and intent
- Honor and recognize February 20, 2025, as “Pace Day at the State Capitol” in recognition of the Pace Center for Girls and its 22 years of service to women and girls in need.
Key provisions
- Non‑binding resolution praising Pace Center for Girls’ model (education, counseling, case management, gender‑responsive services) and noting its impact (serves communities in FL, GA, SC; more than 3,000 girls annually across 23 communities).
- Directs that a copy of the resolution be presented to the Pace Center for Girls.
Who is affected
- Largely ceremonial; honors the nonprofit and raises visibility for its programs.
Procedural / timeline
- Introduced and adopted in the South Carolina House on 02/13/2025 (same‑day adoption). Sponsors listed extensively.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a focused legislative digest solely for the Massachusetts mattress‑recycling bill (including likely next steps and potential fiscal/implementation issues), or
- Produce a one‑page printable summary of the South Carolina resolution. Which would you prefer?
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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