Bills › 91st General Assembly
Relating to the definition of beverage for purposes of beverage container deposits, and including effective date provisions
Sponsored by Sen. Molly Donahue (D), Sen. Art Staed (D)
Topics:Alcohol, cannabis & gaming
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 3, 2026
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 9, 2026
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2026 session adjourned on May 3, 2026, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
AI summary The law currently defines a beverage for container deposits as certain carbonated drinks and alcoholic liquids. This change would expand that definition to include noncarbonated water and all other nonalcoholic drinks. However, milk, dairy products, and unflavored rice or soy milk would not be included.1
Read the official explanation
This bill relates to the definition of “beverage” for purposes of beverage container deposits. Under current law, “beverage” includes wine, alcoholic liquor, beer, high alcoholic content beer, canned cocktail, mineral water, soda water, and similar carbonated soft drinks in liquid form and intended for human consumption. The bill changes the definition of “beverage” to also include noncarbonated water and all nonalcoholic carbonated or noncarbonated drinks, except for unflavored rice milk, unflavored soy milk, milk, and dairy-derived products. The bill takes effect July 1, 2027.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 9, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part