On March 9, 2022, Associate Policy Director Dominic Butchko testified before the House Environment and Transportation and Economic Matters Committees in support of HB 1239 – Environment – Plastic and Glass Products – Postconsumer Recycled Content Program with amendments. The bill would establish a minimum threshold for postconsumer recycled content in plastic and glass products.

From the MACo testimony: 

Counties support the ideas set out in HB 1239. It is essential that environmental action be taken by all involved parties and not just left to the State and local governments to clean up. MACo is concerned with section 9–2410, which preempts local governments from going above and beyond a floor set by the State. A county government’s proximity to its community better allows it to address specific localized issues, especially when it comes to the environment. The bill should be amended to eliminate the preemption of local laws and instead set a floor for counties to exceed if appropriate for a community.

More on MACo’s Advocacy:

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2022 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.
Learn more about MACo’s 2022 Legislative Initiatives.
Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog.