FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 44 YEARS, STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE VOTED TO MAKE CHANGES IN IOWA’S POPULAR “BOTTLE BILL.
THE LEGISLATION WOULD LET GROCERY STORES STOP ACCEPTING EMPTY BOTTLES AND CANS AND PAYING DEPOSITS. REDEMPTION CENTERS WOULD SEE THEIR PER CONTAINER HANDLING FEE INCREASED TO THREE CENTS.
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS OF BEER AND POP WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP THE MONEY FROM UNREDEEMED CONTAINERS.
SENATOR JASON SCHULTZ OF SCHLESWIG WAS ONE OF 30 REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED TO ACCEPT HOUSE ADJUSTMENTS AND SEND THE BILL TO THE GOVERNOR.
BOTTLE3 OC……..TO REDEEM.” :17
SCHULTZ SAYS MORE REDEMPTION CENTERS WILL OPEN ONCE THE PER CONTAINER HANDLING FEE IS BEING TRIPLED.
THERE ARE ONLY FIVE DOZEN REDEMPTION CENTERS IN IOWA TODAY.
SENATOR JOE BOLKCOM, A DEMOCRAT FROM IOWA CITY, SAYS THE BILL WILL BE A MASSIVE WINDFALL TO WHOLESALERS WHO’LL CONTINUE TO KEEP THOSE UNREDEEMED DEPOSITS.
BOTTLE4 OC………..HERE.” :10
BOLKCOM ALSO OBJECTS TO THE TAX CREDIT FOR BEER DISTRIBUTORS THAT’S INCLUDED IN THE BILL.
THE 15 “NO” VOTES IN THE SENATE CAME FROM DEMOCRATS.
THE PLAN GOT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN THE IOWA HOUSE LAST MONTH AND NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.
