Pennsylvania: IBWA Continues Push for Bills Streamlining Oversight of the Bottled Water Industry
IBWA recently held several virtual meetings with members of the Pennsylvania legislature to promote passage of HB 1971 and 1972, bills that would move regulatory oversight of bottled water products to the state’s Department of Agriculture (PA DOA), the agency with regulatory oversight of food products. Regulatory oversight currently falls within the Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) which monitors public water systems. While these bills would shift product oversight from the PA DEP to the PA DOA, PA DEP would retain oversight of water sources. Currently, PA DEP regulates bottled water products in half-gallon or larger containers, while the PA DOA oversees products smaller than one half-gallon. Click HERE for more information on this issue.
California: First in the Nation Recycled Plastic Use Mandates Coming for Beverage Manufacturers
As the California state legislature wrapped up its 2020 session, both chambers approved a bill that mandates the use of recycled material for plastic beverage containers. Similar to legislation that was approved in 2019 but vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom (D), AB 793 incorporates many changes requested by CalRecycle, the government agency that will implement the mandate requirements, in an effort to help ensure passage this year.
In addition, two plastic waste measures failed to pass in the final days of the CA legislative session. This being said, it is expected that the language in the bills will be a part of a 2022 ballot initiative, putting the power in the hands of California voters regarding if the state will take on more aggressive plastic reduction programs.
Click HERE for more information on both of these issues.
IBWA Encourages the Prioritization of Vaccines for Workers in the Food and Beverage Industry
IBWA co-signed a Food and Beverage Issue Alliance (FBIA) letter sent to the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) encouraging them to prioritize
As a member of BIPAC, IBWA is happy to share “The Rundown” Blog to its members to use as a resource on polls and expert commentary regarding the upcoming elections. Click HERE to read election new from political experts Jim Ellis and Terri Bogart, BIPAC’s crack team of political operatives.
For more information on IBWA advocacy issues, please contact Cory Martin, IBWA Vice President of Government Relations, at (703) 647-4618 or cmartin@bottledwater.org, or JP Toner, IBWA Director of Government Relations, at (703) 647-4616 or jtoner@bottledwater.org.