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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 - Plymouth 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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Plymouth County Results
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City/Town Ward Pct Blanks Total Votes Cast
Totals
36,085
141,193
3,790 181,068
Abington More »
 
782
5,060
71
5,913
Bridgewater More »
 
1,529
6,670
139
8,338
Brockton More »
 
4,221
15,613
1,642
21,476
Carver More »
 
658
3,381
55
4,094
Duxbury More »
 
1,834
5,107
78
7,019
E. Bridgewater More »
 
606
4,314
73
4,993
Halifax More »
 
416
2,464
24
2,904
Hanover More »
 
1,027
5,161
82
6,270
Hanson More »
 
696
3,412
27
4,135
Hingham More »
 
3,164
7,082
192
10,438
Hull More »
 
1,312
2,951
56
4,319
Kingston More »
 
976
3,999
44
5,019
Lakeville More »
 
639
3,498
59
4,196
Marion
 
598
1,677
53
2,328
Marshfield More »
 
1,986
9,034
125
11,145
Mattapoisett
 
645
2,292
88
3,025
Middleborough More »
 
1,345
6,628
154
8,127
Norwell More »
 
1,000
3,764
56
4,820
Pembroke More »
 
1,048
6,149
67
7,264
Plymouth More »
 
4,186
17,218
191
21,595
Plympton
 
288
993
10
1,291
Rochester
 
426
1,796
24
2,246
Rockland More »
 
1,679
4,390
66
6,135
Scituate More »
 
2,290
6,234
194
8,718
Wareham More »
 
1,531
5,536
123
7,190
W. Bridgewater More »
 
507
2,306
52
2,865
Whitman More »
 
696
4,464
45
5,205
County Totals
36,085
141,193
3,790 181,068