Committee approves mattress stewardship bill requiring producer plans, sales and disposal limits

The Economic Matters Committee approved House Bill 858 on a voice vote, moving the bill as amended to the next stage of the legislative process.

House Bill 858 requires producers of mattresses, or a representative organization, to develop and implement a statewide mattress stewardship plan and submit that plan to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) by July 1, 2027; an approved plan must be implemented within one year of plan approval. The bill directs MDE to adopt regulations for the program, establishes a uniform mattress stewardship assessment charged at point of sale to cover program costs, and prohibits the sale of mattresses in the state unless the producer participates in an approved stewardship program. The bill also prohibits disposal of mattresses in a landfill or an incinerator beginning Jan. 1, 2031. An amendment adopted before the vote made mainly technical changes, removed references to mattress reuse and program profitability, clarified assessment and performance-goal provisions, and sunsets the advisory board created by the bill after five years.

The committee discussion focused on how mattress disposal and recycling are handled today and on who would pay for the stewardship program. Delegate Stein, the majority leader, said counties currently handle mattresses in a variety of ways: some accept them through bulk trash pickup, some accept them at landfills, and a few local governments run their own programs though “they are costly and not as efficient as what’s being proposed here.” He described the point-of-sale assessment as a fee added when a mattress is sold, remitted by the retailer, and pooled by a producer responsibility organization that would contract with collection and recycling vendors. The committee noted that in other states the assessment per mattress has ranged from $15 to $22.

A committee member raised concerns that the fee would place costs on all taxpayers and asked why private businesses that could profit from recycling would not handle mattresses already. Stein responded that the bill would increase consumer and business access to collection sites and expand contracts with recyclers, but that participation by retailers in pick-up at delivery would not be mandatory under the bill. Committee members also asked which products are covered; the chair and staff clarified that the bill’s definition covers both mattress and foundation/box spring, and excludes air mattresses, waterbeds, pillows, futons and similar items that the bill explicitly lists as exclusions.

An amendment discussion led to a procedural motion to move the amendment; the chair called the question and the committee voted to adopt all amendments as presented. Following discussion, a motion to move the bill as amended was made and seconded; the chair cast the deciding vote and announced the bill passed and would move on in the process.

Clarifying details from the bill and committee discussion include the July 1, 2027 plan submission deadline; implementation within one year of plan approval; a state prohibition on landfill and incineration disposal of mattresses effective Jan. 1, 2031; the advisory board sunset after five years; and an estimated assessment range in other states of $15–$22 per mattress. The bill requires MDE rulemaking to set further details.

The committee did not adopt discussion language requiring retailers to provide pick-up at delivery, and committee members asked for further clarity on program costs and administrative details during subsequent hearings.

Votes at the meeting were taken by voice and roll-call for attendance; the chair announced the bill passed as amended.

The committee moved on to the next agenda item after the vote.