May 25, 2007
House OKs bottle-bill expansion
Legislation will add a 5-cent deposit to water containers
BETH CASPER
The Oregon House on Thursday passed the first major expansion of the bottle bill in 36 years -- adding water bottles to the containers that can earn a 5-cent deposit when returned to the store.
Senate Bill 707 returns to the Senate today for action on amendments. The governor is expected to sign the expanded bottle bill.
"Oregonians realized 36 years ago that the resources of the earth are finite," said Rep. Vicki Berger, R-Salem, about the original bottle bill passed in 1971. "You can be proud today of putting your aye vote on this Oregon icon."
Berger is carrying the legacy of her father, Richard Chambers, who was the impetus behind the original bill. It was meant to be an anti-litter mechanism to clean up the trash that Chambers saw while hiking around the state.
Berger's expansion passed 42-16.
Lawmakers opposed to the expansion called it unfair to grocery stores, which have to handle the bottles without compensation.
Rep. Vic Gilliam, R-Silverton, asked the House to refer the bill back to the energy and environment committee to ensure that grocers don't bear the brunt of the burden. His motion failed 38-20.
Gilliam's brother is the president of the Northwest Grocery Association, which opposes expansion that requires grocers to take in more containers.
To address the grocers' concerns, the bill sets up a task force to study redemption centers separate from grocery stores, increase the nickel deposit and add more beverage containers in the future.
bcasper@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 589-6994
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/NEWS/705250319/1001
