OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 341 (File 285, as amended by Senate "A")*
AN ACT CONCERNING CLOTHING FIBER POLLUTION.
By July 1, 2018, this bill requires the energy and environmental protection commissioner, in consultation with the consumer protection commissioner, to convene a working group to develop a consumer awareness and education program about synthetic microfiber pollution. He must report to the Environment Committee by January 1, 2019 on the group's efforts and any recommendations for legislation on the program and to reduce microfibers in the state's waterways.
Under the bill, the program must include:
1. consumer oriented information on how clothing sheds synthetic microfibers and they end up in the state's waterways;
2. best practices for consumers to reduce and eliminate having the microfibers end up in the waterways; and
3. information on how apparel industry members, including brand labels, are working to reduce or eliminate microfibers in clothing.
The bill requires the working group to consist of representatives of the apparel industry and the environmental community.
*Senate Amendment “A” requires the developed program to be about microfiber pollution, rather than microfibers in clothing, and adds the Outdoor Industry Association to the organizations represented on the working group.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
The bill designates that the following eight industry organizations be included in the working group, the:
1. Sustainable Apparel Coalition;
2. American Apparel and Footwear Association;
3. American Apparel and Producer's Network;
4. Fashion Group International;
5. National Retail Federation;
6. Council of Fashion Designers of America;
7. Fashion Business, Inc.; and
8. Outdoor Industry Association.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea |
25 |
Nay |
5 |
(03/22/2018) |