Committee Summary for Senate Ways and Means (12/04/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB451 00:06:20.639 - 9:05:01 AM	Executive Session	establishing the paint product stewardship program.	Ebel, Karen(D)[F]2025

HB451: Senator [Chairman] Information Only00:06:20.639 - 9:05:01 AM; The chair opens the executive session on House Bill 451, provides a quick summary noting its bipartisan support from the House with 46 in support, 2 in opposition, and 2 neutral, and moves for ought to pass.
HB451: Senator [Unnamed] Oppose00:07:13.680 - 9:05:54 AM; Continues to vote no, arguing the bill will pass additional costs to consumers even if paint is fully used, calling it an overreach and a paint tax.
HB451: Senator [Unnamed] Oppose00:07:13.680 - 9:05:54 AM; Reiterates opposition from the initial hearing, stating the bill picks winners and losers among hardware stores by favoring those that can host paint collection events.
HB451: Senator [Unnamed] Support00:08:07.680 - 9:06:48 AM; Will vote yes, highlighting the bill's bipartisan nature, little to no state financial impact, opt-in voluntary program adopted in other states, and support from groups like BIA, Waste Management, and Municipal Association, aiding solid waste management goals.
HB451: Senator Rebecca Perkins Kwoka Support00:08:07.680 - 9:06:48 AM; Supports the bill as it helps municipalities manage solid waste costs, thereby keeping local taxes low.
HB451: Senator [Unnamed] Support00:09:03.120 - 9:07:44 AM; Supports based on public hearing data showing average town cost of $15,000 for hazardous waste days, with over 50% being paint. Views the bill as tax avoidance by shifting from a general tax to a user fee on paint users, allowing free paint pickup by the organization, reducing town costs, and ensuring proper disposal. Argues it places the burden on those who use paint, not non-users, and provides options for towns and businesses.
HB451: Senator [Unnamed] Oppose00:10:48.800 - 9:09:29 AM; Acknowledges the tax on every paint can at purchase, even if not recycled, and predicts consumers will trash empty cans anyway. Warns of precedent for taxing other hazardous waste items like light bulbs, leading to more fees and reduced services for higher taxes, citing personal experience in Manchester.
HB451: Senator [Unnamed] Oppose00:11:40.000 - 9:10:21 AM; Agrees on the precedent issue for hazardous items at transfer stations, prefers fees at recycling point rather than point of sale, as not all paint may need recycling if fully used.

Lang, Timothy(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Murphy, Keith(V Chairman)(R)[A]2025	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025	Sullivan, Victoria(R)[A-]2025