The commission voted to establish two advisory groups to research electronics extended producer responsibility (EPR) and plastics/packaging EPR, instructing each group to meet at least twice and report findings to the full commission.

A staff member said the advisory groups will “perform research and present findings to the commission,” and that findings on electronics EPR should be completed by Aug. 31 for the September full commission meeting, while plastics and packaging findings should be completed by Sept. 30 for the October meeting. The groups may not include more than nine commission members so as not to reach the quorum threshold that would trigger formal meeting posting requirements.

Committee members sought clarifications about openness and membership. Senator Barrett warned about “meeting packing” by interest groups and said groups should limit voting rights and consider one representative per entity; the staff member noted the intent was to keep the groups flexible and that advisory groups will not take formal votes but will gather information. An attorney from the Office of the Attorney General asked whether commission members could gather information outside public meetings; staff said advisory group meetings will be public and that meeting schedules will be announced after members sign up.

The motion to form two advisory groups passed on a voice vote. Staff asked interested participants to contact Greg (staff) and said initial meetings could take place in late June, July, and August with dates to be formalized by the June 18 meeting.

The commission also discussed operational guardrails: a MassDEP or consultant will sit on advisory groups to help shape discussion; industry representatives are expected to participate; the groups will gather citations and lists of outside contacts to accompany findings; and no advisory‑group votes will substitute for the full commission’s deliberation.