Statewide Iowa — Republicans on an Iowa Senate committee have approved making changes in Iowa’s bottle bill tripling the amount of money received by redemption centers that accept empties and pay back the nickel deposits on cans and bottles.
Democrats say the entire package of changes will crush the bottle bill. Republican Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig says it’s time to stop waiting for grocers and beverage distributors to come up with a compromise.
If the bill becomes law, beverage distributors would maintain mobile trailers that accept empties and the state’s beer excise tax would be reduced next year. The bill also says grocery stores could quit taking back cans and bottles in 2023.
A survey conducted last month found the bottle bill remains popular with 84 percent of eligible Iowa voters. Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, says it’s been one of the most popular laws on the books for years.
Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says that’s already happened with no consequences to retailers.
Schultz says while there could be some tweaks, his overall reform plan is the only viable option that could pass the Senate and the House.
The bill passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee Thursday and is now eligible for debate in the full Senate.
