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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Fellow Federationists, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Recently we have been made aware of two legislative bills submitted within the State House of Representatives that could have an effect on the BEP program. It’s situations like this that make it so very important for you to make your voice heard at the Capitol. Please use the link below to locate your local Representative and Senator. Let them know that you, as a blind constituent, oppose this legislation. Please call, e-mail or find them on social media to make them aware of our opposition. This will take a few minutes of your time but you can make a huge difference. We speak loudly with our collective voice! The bills are below my signature. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Your help, as always, is greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing you at our state convention in April!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Warmly, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Jeannie <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Jeannie M. Massay, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>National Federation of theBlind <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Of Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>505 Baker Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Norman, OK 73072<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Phone: 405-600-0695<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><a href="mailto:Jeannie.massay@nfbok.org">Jeannie.massay@nfbok.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise expectations of the blind because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Blindness is not what holds you back. You can live the life youw ant.!. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'>Here is the web site to find out your legislative representatives. Keep scrolling down and you’ll find it. For JAWS users, just keep hitting the letter f for form and it will drop you to it. Just fill out your address and zip. It will give both state and national representatives for your districts.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><a href="http://www.okhouse.gov/" title="http://www.okhouse.gov/">http://www.okhouse.gov/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>STATE OF OKLAHOMA<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>2nd Session of the 55th Legislature (2016)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:297.35pt;text-indent:-297.35pt'>HOUSE BILL 3023 By: Pfeiffer and Hickman<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><u>AS INTRODUCED</u><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:.75in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='color:red'><StartFT></span>An Act relating to the State Capitol Building; amending 7 O.S. 2011, Section 73, which relates to vending facilities; providing exception for areas of the State Capitol Building; and providing an effective date.<span style='color:red'><EndFT></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:200%'>BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'>SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 7 O.S. 2011, Section 73, is amended to read as follows:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'>Section 73. A. It shall be the duty of the board of county commissioners of each county and the governing boards of all state institutions, state agencies and state or county public trust authorities, with regard to the premises of county or state property under their respective jurisdictions or the premises of property leased by them in whole or in part, to give priority to vending facilities operated by licensed blind operators and established by the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. Governing boards shall observe such priority by entering into an agreement with the Department. Operators shall be licensed by the Department.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'>B. Governing boards shall make available free of any charge, fee, assessment or commission on sales adequate space with sufficient electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation outlets for the operation of a vending facility on satisfactory sites. Governing boards shall provide free of any charge, fee, assessment or commission on sales the use of utilities needed to operate a vending facility.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'>C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the operation of fairgrounds, exposition centers, trade/consumer show facilities, pari-mutuel horse racing facilities as licensed by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, parks, golf courses <s>or</s><u>,</u> hospitals operated by county trust authorities <u>or the State Capitol Building and grounds</u>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'>SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2016.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.4in;line-height:200%'>55-2-8619 LRB 01/20/16<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HB 2745.pdf<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>STATE OF OKLAHOMA <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2nd Session of the 55th Legislature (2016) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HOUSE BILL 2745 By: Condit <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>AS INTRODUCED <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>An Act relating to environment and natural resources; creating the Oklahoma Beverage Containers Control Act; providing definitions; establishing the refund<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>value of a beverage container sold in the state; providing for the return of the refund value to the consumer; requiring a distributor to reimburse certain<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>persons who redeem empty beverage containers a certain amount; allowing certain persons to compact empty metal beverage containers; prohibiting a dealer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>from refusing to accept an empty beverage container from a consumer; providing for the acceptance and pickup of empty beverage containers by a distributor;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>limiting payment requirement on nonrefillable beverage containers; requiring a distributor to accept certain empty beverage containers from a dealer agent;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>allowing a dealer, distributor, licensee and manufacturer or distributor to refuse to accept empty beverage containers without certain marking and under<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>certain conditions; requiring beverage containers sold in the state to be marked in a certain manner with the refund value; prohibiting the importation<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of unmarked beverage containers; providing exceptions for certain sized beverage containers; providing exception for certain refillable glass beverage<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>containers; allowing persons to establish a redemption center upon approval of the Department of Environmental Quality; specifying contents of the application;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>providing for approval of redemption centers by the Department; allowing the Department to review and withdraw the approval of a redemption center; requiring<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>redemption centers to meet certain health standards; authorizing persons to establish an unapproved redemption center; directing the Board of Environmental<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Quality to promulgate rules; authorizing certain judicial <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>review; providing penalties for certain violations and actions; providing certain definition; limiting application of certain penalties; authorizing certain<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>contracts or agreements by distributors; providing for the redemption of refused nonrefillable metal beverage containers; requiring beer distributors to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>provide for certain facilities; providing penalty; prohibiting the final disposal of beverage containers in solid waste facilities after certain date;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>directing the Department to establish an independent redemption center grant program; defining certain term; creating the Independent Redemption Center<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Grant Revolving Fund; stating source of funding; stating purpose of monies; requiring expenditures to be on warrants; requiring the Department to provide<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>grants for certain purposes; limiting grant amounts; limiting payment of administrative costs; providing for codification; providing an effective date;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and declaring an emergency. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-701 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Beverage Containers Control Act". <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-702 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As used in the Oklahoma Beverage Containers Control Act: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. "Beverage" means wine, alcoholic beverage and beer as defined in Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, mineral <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>water, soda water and similar carbonated soft drinks in liquid form and intended for human consumption; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. "Beverage container" means any sealed glass, plastic, or metal bottle, can, jar or carton containing a beverage; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. "Board" means the Environmental Quality Board; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. "Consumer" means any person who purchases a beverage in a beverage container for use or consumption; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5. "Dealer" means any person who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to a consumer; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>6. "Dealer agent" means a person who solicits or picks up empty beverage containers from a dealer for the purpose of returning the empty beverage containers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to a distributor or manufacturer; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>7. "Department" means the Department of Environmental Quality; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>8. "Distributor" means any person who engages in the sale of beverages in beverage containers to a dealer in this state, including any manufacturer who<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>engages in such sales; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>9. "Executive Director" means the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>10. "Geographic territory" means the geographical area within a perimeter formed by the outermost boundaries served by a distributor; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>11. "Manufacturer" means any person who bottles, cans, or otherwise fills beverage containers for sale to distributors or dealers; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>12. "Nonrefillable beverage container" means a beverage container not intended to be refilled for sale by a manufacturer; and <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>13. "Redemption center" means a facility at which consumers may return empty beverage containers and receive payment for the refund value of the empty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>beverage containers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-703 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. A refund value of not less than five cents ($0.05) shall be paid by the consumer on each beverage container sold in this state by a dealer for consumption<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>off the premises. Upon return of the empty beverage container upon which a refund value has been paid to the dealer or person operating a redemption center<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and acceptance of the empty beverage container by the dealer or person operating a redemption center, the dealer or person operating a redemption center<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>shall return the amount of the refund value to the consumer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. In addition to the refund value provided in Subsection A of this Section, a dealer or person operating a redemption center who redeems empty beverage<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>containers or a dealer agent shall be reimbursed by the distributor required to accept the empty beverage containers an amount which is one cent ($0.01)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>per container. A dealer, dealer agent, or person operating a redemption center may <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>compact empty metal beverage containers with the approval of the distributor required to accept the containers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-704 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Except as provided for in Section 5 of this act: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. A dealer shall not refuse to accept from a consumer any empty beverage container of the kind, size and brand sold by the dealer or refuse to pay to<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the consumer the refund value of a beverage container as provided under Section 3 of this act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. A distributor shall accept and pick up from a dealer served by the distributor or a redemption center for a dealer served by the distributor at least<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>weekly or when the distributor delivers the beverage product if deliveries are less frequent than weekly, any empty beverage container of the kind, size<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and brand sold by the distributor and shall pay to the dealer or person operating a redemption center the refund value of a beverage container and the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>reimbursement as provided under Section 3 of this act within one (1) week following pickup of the containers or when the dealer or redemption center normally<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>pays the distributor for the deposit on beverage products purchased from the distributor if less frequent than weekly. A distributor or employee or agent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of a distributor is not in violation of this section if a redemption center is closed <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>when the distributor attempts to make a regular delivery or a regular pickup of empty beverage containers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. A distributor shall not be required to pay to a manufacturer a deposit or refund value on a nonrefillable beverage container. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. A distributor shall accept from a dealer agent any empty beverage container of the kind, size, and brand sold by the distributor and which was picked<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>up by the dealer agent from a dealer within the geographic territory served by the distributor and the distributor shall pay the dealer agent the refund<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>value of the empty beverage container and the reimbursement as provided in Section 3 of this act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-705 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. Except as provided in Subsection C of Section 6 of this act, a dealer, a person operating a redemption center, a distributor or a manufacturer may refuse<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to accept any empty beverage container which does not have stated on it a refund value as provided under Section 3 of this act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. A dealer may refuse to accept and to pay the refund value of any empty beverage container if the place of business of the dealer and the kind and brand<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of empty beverage containers are included in an order of the Department of Environmental Quality approving a redemption center under Section 7 of this<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C. A manufacturer or distributor may refuse to accept and to pay the refund value and reimbursement as provided in Section 3 of this act on any empty beverage<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>container that was picked up by a dealer agent from a dealer outside the geographic territory served by the manufacturer or distributor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-706 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. Each beverage container sold or offered for sale in this state by a dealer shall clearly indicate by embossing or by a stamp, label or other method<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>securely affixed to the container, the refund value of the container. The Department of Environmental Quality shall specify by rule the minimum size of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the refund value indication on the beverage containers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. A person, except a distributor, shall not import into this state after July 1, 2017 a beverage container which does not have securely affixed to the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>container the refund value indication. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply if: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. For beverage containers containing alcoholic beverages as defined in Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the total capacity of the containers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>is not more than one (1) quart or in the case of alcoholic beverage personally obtained outside the United States, one (1) gallon; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. For beverage containers containing beer as defined in Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes the total capacity of the containers is not more<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>than two hundred eighty-eight (288) fluid ounces; and <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. For all other beverage containers, the total capacity of the containers is not more than five hundred seventy-six (576) fluid ounces. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C. The provisions of Subsections A and B of this section shall not apply to a refillable glass beverage container which has a brand name permanently marked<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>on it and which has a refund value of not less than five cents ($0.05), to any other refillable beverage container which has a refund value of not less<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>than five cents ($0.05) and which is exempted by the Executive Director under rules adopted by the Environmental Quality Board or to a beverage container<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>sold aboard a commercial airliner or passenger train for consumption on the premises. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-707 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. To facilitate the return of empty beverage containers and to serve dealers of beverages, any person may establish a redemption center, subject to the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>approval of the Department of Environmental Quality, at which consumers may return empty beverage containers and receive payment of the refund value of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the beverage containers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. An application for approval of a redemption center shall be filed with the Department. The application shall state the name and address of the person<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>responsible for the establishment and operation of the redemption center, the kind and brand names of the beverage containers which will be accepted at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the redemption center, and the names and addresses of the dealers to be served by the redemption center. The application shall contain any other information<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>as the Executive Director may reasonably require. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C. The Department shall approve a redemption center if it finds that the redemption center will provide a convenient service to consumers for the return<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of empty beverage containers. The order of the Department approving a redemption center shall state the dealers to be served by the redemption center and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the kind and brand names of empty beverage containers which the redemption center shall be required to accept. The order may contain any other provisions<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to ensure that the redemption center will provide a convenient service to the public as the Executive Director may determine. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>D. The Department may review the approval of any redemption center at any time. After written notice to the person responsible for the establishment and<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>operation of the redemption center and to the dealers served by the redemption center, the Environmental Quality Board may, after hearing, withdraw approval<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of a redemption center if the Board finds there has not been compliance with the order of the Department approving the redemption center or if the <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>redemption center no longer provides a convenient service to the public. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>E. All approved redemption centers shall meet applicable health standards. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-708 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any person may establish a redemption center which has not been approved by the Department of Environmental Quality at which a consumer may return empty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>beverage containers and receive payment of the refund value of the beverage containers. The establishment of an unapproved redemption center shall not<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>relieve any dealer from the responsibility of redeeming any empty beverage containers of the kind and brand sold by the dealer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 9. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-709 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Board of Environmental Quality shall promulgate, upon recommendation of the Executive Director, rules necessary to carry out the provisions of the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Oklahoma Beverage Containers Control Act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 10. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-710 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Any person aggrieved by an order of the Department of Environmental Quality relating to the approval or withdrawal of approval for a redemption center<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>may seek judicial review of the order. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 11. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-711 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. Any person violating the provisions of Sections 3, 4 or 6 of this act or a rule adopted under by the Board of Environmental Quality shall be guilty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of a misdemeanor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. If a distributor collects or attempts to collect a refund value on an empty beverage container when the distributor has paid the refund value on the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>container to a dealer, redemption center or consumer, the distributor shall be considered to have participated in a fraudulent practice and shall be guilty<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of a misdemeanor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C. Any person who does any of the following acts shall be considered to have participated in a fraudulent practice and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Collects or attempts to collect the refund value on the container a second time, with the knowledge that the refund value has once been paid by the<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>distributor to a dealer, redemption center or consumer; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. Manufactures, sells, possesses or applies a false or counterfeit label or indication which shows or purports to show a <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>refund value for a beverage container with intent to use the false or counterfeit label or indication; and <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. Collects or attempts to collect a refund value on a container with the use of a false or counterfeit label or indication showing a refund value knowing<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the label or indication to be false or counterfeit. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>D. As used in this section, a false or counterfeit label or indication means a label or indication purporting to show a valid refund value which has not<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>been initially applied as authorized by a distributor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>E. Subsection B and paragraph 1 of Subsection C of this section shall have no application to empty beverage containers which are intended to be refillable<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and are in a standard of condition except for sanitization to be refillable by the manufacturer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 12. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-712 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A distributor may enter into a contract or agreement with any other distributor, manufacturer or person for the purpose of collecting or paying the refund<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>value on or disposing of beverage containers as provided in the Oklahoma Beverage Containers Control Act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 13. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-713 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. If the refund value indication required under Section 6 of this act on an empty nonrefillable metal beverage container is readable but the redemption<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of the container is lawfully refused by a dealer or person operating a redemption center under other sections of the Oklahoma Beverage Containers Control<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Act or rules adopted pursuant to the Act, the container shall be accepted and the refund value paid to a consumer as provided for in this Section. Each<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>beer distributor selling nonrefillable metal beverage containers in this state shall provide individually or collectively by contract or agreement with<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>a dealer, person operating a redemption center or another person, at least one (1) facility in the county seat of each county where refused empty nonrefillable<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>metal beverage containers having a readable refund value indication as required by the Act are accepted and redeemed. In cities having a population of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>twenty-five thousand (25,000) or more, the number of the facilities provided shall be one for each twenty-five thousand population or a fractional part<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>of that population. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. A beer distributor violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 14. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-714 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Beginning July 1, 2017, the final disposal of beverage containers by a dealer, distributor, manufacturer or person operating a redemption center in a solid<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>waste facility shall be prohibited. Beginning July 1, 2018, the final disposal of beverage containers used to contain alcoholic beverages as defined in<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Section 506 of Title 37 of the Oklahoma Statutes by a dealer, distributor, manufacturer or person operating a redemption center in a solid waste facility<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>shall be prohibited. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 15. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2-11-715 of Title 27A, unless there is created a duplication<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in numbering, reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A. An independent redemption center grant program shall be established by the Department of Environmental Quality to award grants for improvements to independent<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>redemption centers. An "independent redemption center" is a redemption center that is also a nonprofit or a for-profit facility that has existed prior<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to July 1, 2016, and that is not affiliated with or in any way a subsidiary of a dealer, a distributor, or a manufacturer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Department of Environmental Quality to be designated the "Independent Redemption<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Center Grant Revolving Fund". The fund <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received by the Department from monies appropriated<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>to the Fund or for purposes of the grant program. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by the Department for the purpose of the independent redemption center grant program. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C. 1. Moneys in the Independent Redemption Center Grant Revolving Fund shall be used by the Department to provide grants to independent redemption centers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>for purposes of making improvements to the centers. The Department shall not award grants in a fiscal year in an aggregate of more than One Million Dollars<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>($1,000,000.00). A grant shall not exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for any independent redemption center. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. The Department shall not pay administrative costs relating to the management of the grant program in excess of three and one-half percent (3 1/2%) of<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>the monies in the Independent Redemption Center Grant Revolving Fund in a fiscal year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 16. This act shall become effective July 1, 2016. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SECTION 17. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>55-2-7971 KB 01/06/16<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>