MaineProducers must fund collection of unwanted vaping devices
Maine law requires device producers to fund a collection program, and people can receive a return payment once an approved plan is operating.
What it does
Producers must pay for a program that collects unwanted vaping devices and arranges for reuse, recycling, or disposal. It must pay at least $2 for each return, up to two devices per person each day.
Once the first approved plan is put into practice, people may dispose of covered vaping devices only through the program or a licensed hazardous-waste transporter.
Producers may sell covered devices only through an approved program. Retailers across Maine must join the program as collection locations.
The Department of Environmental Protection receives $109,480 in one-time state funding for a limited-period specialist position and related costs.
Argument forPeople could have convenient places across the state to return unwanted devices and receive at least $2 for each of up to two returns per day.
Argument againstPeople returning more than two devices in one day may receive no payment for the extra devices, which could make large returns less worthwhile.
More detail
Producers must pay for a program to collect and manage unwanted vaping devices. The program covers unwanted devices sold by participating producers, including device parts, accessories, and substances used in them. Producers may run the program alone, together, or through a stewardship organization. The program must pay at least $2 for each device returned, but no person may receive payment for more than two devices in one day. Producers must submit a plan by November 1, 2027. The program must start within 180 days after the state approves the plan.
People may dispose of covered devices only through an approved program or a licensed hazardous-waste transporter. The rule covers electronic smoking devices and their components, parts, accessories, and substances used in them. Existing disposal laws and rules remain in effect before the first approved plan is put into practice. The rule begins when a producer or stewardship organization first puts an approved plan into effect.
Producers may not sell or offer covered devices for sale unless they take part in an approved program; retailers must join as collection locations. The sales requirement applies to producers selling electronic smoking devices in Maine. Retailers across Maine must participate as collection locations. The state must approve the program plan. The sales restriction starts 180 days after plan approval. Retailers must join within three years after approval.
The Department of Environmental Protection receives one-time funding for a limited-period specialist position and related costs. The funding is for the Department of Environmental Protection's Remediation and Waste Management program. The funding is listed for fiscal year 2026–27.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 23Signed by Governor Janet MillsLatest
- Apr 14Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 957 Yeas 21 - Nays 13 - Excused 1 - Absent 0
- Vote recorded Enactment. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded ENACTMENT. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence PREVAILEDMajor
- Apr 14Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 14(Yeas 75 - Nays 68 - Absent 7 - Excused 0 - Vacant 1)
- Apr 14ROLL CALL NO. 816
- Apr 14PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Passed 2nd Chamber
- Apr 13Ordered sent down forthwith.
- Apr 13On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland the Senate RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1054) thereto AND Senate Amendment "A" (S-292)Minor
- Apr 13ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 13In NON-CONCURRENCE and sent for concurrence.
- Apr 13The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1054) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) thereto.Minor
- Apr 13Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) as Amended by House Amendment "A" (H-1054) thereto and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) was ADOPTED.Minor
- Apr 13On motion of Representative GATTINE of Westbrook, House Amendment "A" (H-1054) to Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) was READ and ADOPTED.
- Apr 13On motion of Speaker FECTEAU of Biddeford, the House RECEDED.
- Apr 13Sent down for concurrence.
- Apr 13On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin Bill and accompanying papers COMMITTED to the Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs In NON-CONCURRENCE.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Senator STEWART of Aroostook OBJECTED.
- Apr 13Same Senator moved to SUSPEND THE RULES to RECONSIDER whereby the Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) in concurrence.Minor
- Apr 13On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin taken from the Special Appropriations Table.
- 2025
- Jun 25CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800.
- Jun 11On motion by Senator ROTUNDO of Androscoggin PLACED ON THE SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS TABLE pending ENACTMENT in concurrence
- Jun 10Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Vote recorded RECEDE AND CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 10PASSED TO BE ENACTED.Became Law
- Jun 10ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 10(Yeas 74 - Nays 67 - Absent 8 - Excused 2)
- Jun 10ROLL CALL NO. 393
- Jun 10The House RECEDED and CONCURRED to PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292)Minor
- Jun 9Sent down for concurrence
- Vote recorded ADOPT SENATE AMENDMENT (S-292) to LD 1519. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded PASSAGE TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 9Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number Roll Call Ordered Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 4 - Absent 0
- Jun 9PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) and Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) in NON-CONCURRENCE. PREVAILED.Minor
- Jun 9Roll Call Ordered Roll Call Number 397 Yeas 19 - Nays 12 - Excused 4 - Absent 0
- Jun 9On motion by Senator TEPLER of Sagadahoc Senate Amendment "A" (S-292) READ and ADOPTED. PREVAILED
- Jun 9Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME.Minor
- Jun 9Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) READ and ADOPTED.Minor
- Jun 9READ ONCEMinor
- Jun 9The Ought to Pass As Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) Report ACCEPTED.
- Jun 9Taken from the table by the President
- Jun 2Reported Out - OTP-AM
- Jun 2On motion by Senator PIERCE of Cumberland Tabled until Later in Today's Session, pending ACCEPTANCE of the OUGHT TO PASS AS AMENDED by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412) Report in concurrence.
- Jun 2Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Jun 2The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-412).Minor
- Jun 2Under suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.
- Jun 2CONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAY
- Apr 30Voted - OTP-AM
- Apr 30Work Session Held
- Apr 8The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES in concurrenceMinor
- Apr 8Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
- Apr 8The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES.Minor
- Apr 8Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered printed.Introduced
Environment & EnergyConsumer Protection