Senate Bill 2754

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO MAINTAIN A DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC RECYCLERS; TO REQUIRE STATE AGENCIES TO USE CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC RECYCLERS FOR DISPOSAL OF E-WASTE AND RECYCLABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. As used in this act:

(a) "Electronics" means a personal computer, computer component, audio player, videocassette player, facsimile machine, copy machine, cellular telephone, wireless paging device, or any electronic item containing an intact or broken cathode-ray tube. An electronic item containing a cathode-ray tube includes a television, computer monitor, or any other cathode-ray tube monitor or display device.

(b) "Recycler" means a person who uses, reuses or reclaims obsolete electronic equipment and associated materials.

SECTION 2. (1) The Department of Environmental Quality shall develop a program to encourage all electronic recyclers to become certified by demonstrating to an accredited, independent third-party auditor that they meet specific standards to safely recycle and manage electronic equipment.

(2) The department shall maintain a directory of recyclers meeting the accredited certification standards of Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) and the e-Stewards Standards and any recyclers who have been certified by an accredited, independent certification auditor listed by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) as an organization that certifies recyclers to available recycling standards.

(3) State agencies shall use a certified recycler on the directory for the disposal of agency electronics.

(4) The Department of Environmental Quality and state agencies shall comply with this section no later than July 1, 2014.

(5) This section does not apply to the donation of electronics to public schools, state agencies, local governments or nonprofit organizations.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.