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An Act To Require Clear Warnings on Light Bulbs Containing Mercury
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1661, sub-§1, as repealed and replaced by PL 2001, c. 656, §1, is amended to read:
 
1. Mercury-added product. "Mercury-added product" means any of the following items if it contains mercury added during manufacture:
 
A.  A thermostat or thermometer;
 
B.  A switch or other device, individually or as part of another product, used to measure, control or regulate gas, other fluids or electricity;
 
C.  A medical or scientific instrument;
 
D.  An electric relay or other electrical device; and
 
E. A lamp.; and
 
F.  A light bulb.
 
SUMMARY
Under current law, a retailer may not knowingly sell in this State a mercury-added product unless the item is labeled to clearly inform the purchaser or consumer that mercury is present in the item and that the item may not be disposed of or placed in a waste stream destined for disposal until the mercury is removed and reused, recycled or otherwise managed to ensure that it does not become part of solid waste or wastewater. This bill amends the definition of "mercury-added product" to include light bulbs containing mercury, which would include the long-lasting energy efficient bulbs that are currently available.