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Summary of Question 2
This proposed law would expand the state's beverage container deposit law, also known as the Bottle Bill, to require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic non-carbonated drinks in liquid form intended for human consumption, except beverages primarily derived from dairy products, infant formula, and FDA approved medicines. The proposed law would not cover containers made of paper-based biodegradable material and aseptic multi-material packages such as juice boxes or pouches. The proposed law would require the state Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to adjust the container deposit amount every five years to reflect (to the nearest whole cent) changes in the consumer price index, but the value could not be set below five cents. The proposed law would increase the minimum handling fee that beverage distributors must pay dealers for each properly returned empty beverage container, which was 2 1/4 cents as of September 2013, to 3 1/2 cents. It would also increase the minimum handling fee that bottlers must pay distributors and dealers for each properly returned empty reusable beverage container, which was 1 cent as of September 2013, to 3 1/2 cents. The Secretary of EEA would review the fee amounts every five years and make appropriate adjustments to reflect changes in the consumer price index as well as changes in the costs incurred by redemption centers. The proposed law defines a redemption center as any business whose primary purpose is the redemption of beverage containers and that is not ancillary to any other business. The proposed law would direct the Secretary of EEA to issue regulations allowing small dealers to seek exemptions from accepting empty deposit containers. The proposed law would define small dealer as any person or business, including the operator of a vending machine, who sells beverages in beverage containers to consumers, with a contiguous retail space of 3,000 square feet or less, excluding office and stock room space; and fewer than four locations under the same ownership in the Commonwealth. The proposed law would require that the regulations consider at least the health, safety, and convenience of the public, including the distribution of dealers and redemption centers by population or by distance or both. The proposed law would set up a state Clean Environment Fund to receive certain unclaimed container deposits. The Fund would be used, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature, to support programs such as the proper management of solid waste, water resource protection, parkland, urban forestry, air quality and climate protection. The proposed law would allow a dealer, distributor, redemption center or bottler to refuse to accept any beverage container that is not marked as being refundable in Massachusetts. The proposed law would take effect on April 22, 2015.

2014 - Berkshire County - Question 2Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives on or before May 6, 2014?

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Berkshire County Results
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City/Town Ward Pct Blanks Total Votes Cast
Totals
20,838
18,367
1,011 40,216
Adams More »
 
1,084
1,103
51
2,238
Alford
 
141
62
6
209
Becket
 
299
285
9
593
Cheshire
 
456
536
21
1,013
Clarksburg
 
265
293
12
570
Dalton More »
 
1,074
949
33
2,056
Egremont
 
359
246
27
632
Florida
 
113
121
8
242
Great Barrington More »
 
1,481
1,232
104
2,817
Hancock
 
126
106
11
243
Hinsdale
 
369
295
16
680
Lanesborough
 
540
389
21
950
Lee
 
801
973
53
1,827
Lenox
 
1,116
873
60
2,049
Monterey
 
235
122
10
367
Mount Washington
 
42
29
5
76
New Ashford
 
64
43
1
108
New Marlborough
 
276
267
14
557
N. Adams More »
 
1,656
1,609
95
3,360
Otis
 
214
362
12
588
Peru
 
146
137
4
287
Pittsfield More »
 
5,699
5,625
245
11,569
Richmond
 
371
269
12
652
Sandisfield
 
131
129
9
269
Savoy
 
116
97
3
216
Sheffield
 
550
573
37
1,160
Stockbridge
 
507
371
46
924
Tyringham
 
105
84
0
189
Washington
 
133
107
5
245
W. Stockbridge
 
407
237
33
677
Williamstown More »
 
1,779
703
42
2,524
Windsor
 
183
140
6
329
County Totals
20,838
18,367
1,011 40,216