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HB 6053

Trade: containers; hours of operation for dealers to refund bottle deposits; provide for. Amends sec. 2 of 1976 IL 1 (MCL 445.572).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tyrone Carter and 20 co-sponsors

HB 6053 creates a cash-refund system for returnable beverage containers, requiring dealers and distributors to process returns, label refund values, and ensure on-site or nearby re

bill electronically reproduced 06/04/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 6053

Bill overview

  • Bill: HB 6053
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Jurisdiction: Michigan
  • Title: Trade: containers; hours of operation for dealers to refund bottle deposits; provide for. Amends sec. 2 of 1976 IL 1 (MCL 445.572)
  • Sponsor/Committee: Introduced by Rep. Julie Rogers and a broad group of co-sponsors; referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform
  • Status: Introduced June 4, 2026

Note: The text cites an amendment to the state’s bottle deposit framework, aligning with returnable-container policies. The bill appears to mirror elements of Michigan’s beverage container law (as amended historically) and would modify requirements for dealers, distributors, and manufacturers.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish and enforce a system for the sale and redemption of returnable beverage containers, including the financial refund of deposits to consumers.
  • Clarify and expand the duties of dealers, distributors, and manufacturers regarding returnable containers.
  • Ensure transparency on container refund values (embossed or affixed labeling) and designate designated hours of operation for processing returns and refunds.

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition on nonreturnable containers:
    • Dealers may not sell, offer for sale, or give a nonreturnable beverage container to a consumer.
  • Dealer reflection and return infrastructure (Section 2(2)):
    • Dealers selling beverages off-premises must provide a convenient means to return returnable containers and refund deposits in cash.
    • This must be located on the premises or within 100 yards, and during designated hours.
  • Redemption centers (Section 2(3)):
    • Regional centers for container redemption may be established in addition to other refund mechanisms.
  • Mandatory cash refund of deposits (Section 2(4)):
    • Dealers must redeem empty returnable containers and pay the full refund value in cash, with exceptions listed below.
  • Exemption for on-site consumption deposits (Section 2(5)):
    • Dealers that do not require a deposit for containers consumed in the on-site area are not required to pay a refund on those containers.
  • Distributor responsibilities (Section 2(6) and (7)):
    • Distributors must accept empty returnable containers from dealers and provide cash refunds of the full container value.
    • Each beverage container must clearly indicate the refund value and the state name (embossing, stamp, label, etc.). Dealers or distributors may refuse to accept containers lacking this information, with specific carve-outs for certain refillable containers.
  • Prohibition on certain metal containers (Section 2(8)):
    • Dealers may not sell metal beverage containers whose opening detaches components.
  • Refunding rules and reuse (Section 2(9)):
    • A container cannot be refunded if a deposit has already been refunded for that container, though a dealer may refund deposits when sanitizing the container for reuse.
  • Cash-back limit (Section 2(10)):
    • A dealer may accept, but is not required to accept, returns for refunds exceeding $25 in a single day.
  • Nonrefillable container deposits (Section 2(11)–(12)):
    • Manufacturers licensed by the commission cannot require a distributor to pay a deposit on a nonrefillable container, though voluntary agreements may allocate deposits among parties.
    • Manufacturers must refund deposits on containers returned by a distributor for which a deposit was previously paid.
  • Scope of applicability (Section 2(13)):
    • Subsections 4, 6, and 7 apply only to returnable containers originally sold in Michigan as filled returnable containers.
  • Designated hours of operation (Section 2(14)):
    • Default designated hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with flexibility if a dealer normally operates outside that window.

Who is affected

  • Dealers: Retailers that sell beverages off-premises; must provide a cash refund mechanism, accept returnable containers, and display refund values and state name on each container.
  • Distributors: Must accept empty returnable containers from dealers and provide cash refunds; interact with manufacturers on deposit arrangements.
  • Manufacturers: May set deposit arrangements with distributors; must refund deposits on containers returned.
  • Regional redemption centers: May be established to complement or substitute existing refund mechanisms.
  • Consumers: Entitled to cash refunds for returnable containers, subject to stated caps and procedures; must see clearly labeled refund values on containers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Not specified in the provided text (introductory language focuses on establishment of rules and procedures).
  • Implementation: Requires establishment of designated hours and on-premises return infrastructure; potential establishment of regional centers.
  • Compliance: Dealers and distributors must ensure container labeling with refund value and state name and follow detailed refund processes; exemptions and exceptions are clearly outlined.
  • Compliance checks: The bill delineates what is required for containers to be eligible for refunds and the conditions under which refunds apply or are waived.

Summary

HB 6053 proposes a comprehensive framework for returnable beverage containers in Michigan, tightening the rules around nonreturnable containers, and codifying cash refunds for deposits. It sets requirements for dealer return locations and hours, mandates explicit labeling of refund values and state identity on containers, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of dealers, distributors, and manufacturers in processing returns and deposits. It also allows for regional redemption centers and places limits on daily refunds, while preserving certain exemptions for on-site consumption and refillable containers with specific characteristics. The bill emphasizes consumer access to cash refunds and greater transparency in container labeling and deposit practices.

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

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