Committee approves amendment to expand alternate deposit‑return access; bill moved to floor

The Senate Committee on Energy and Environment approved the dash‑3 amendment to Senate Bill 992 and voted to move the bill to the Senate floor with a due‑pass recommendation on April 7.

The dash‑3 amendment, available on OLIS, would authorize the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) to approve one or more alternative access redemption centers, modify requirements for dealers operating within alternative access redemption center convenience zones, require OLCC to establish low‑impact convenience zones and modify dealer requirements within them, and address hours of operation and types of containers a winery must accept for return. The committee’s fiscal note indicated a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact for the dash‑3 amendment.

Vice Chair Brock Smith moved the dash‑3 amendment; the committee recorded no opposition to the amendment and the motion carried. Vice Chair Brock Smith then moved Senate Bill 992 as amended to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation. The committee roll call included recorded ayes from Senator Pham, Senator Robinson, Vice Chair Brock Smith and Chair Sullivan; the motion carried.

Senator comments on the floor recommendation noted the amendment “simplifies the system” and improves operations, while also expressing concern that the state lacks clear data on how many bottles are removed from public spaces by the program and called for further oversight on program effectiveness.

The committee closed the work session on SB 992 after the votes and carried the bill to the floor.

Votes at a glance: dash‑3 amendment—adopted (no recorded opposition); bill as amended—moved to floor with due‑pass recommendation (roll call recorded; motion carries).