AB-1780 • 2026

Beverage containers: redemption payments: exemption.

Crime Education Taxes

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Michelle Rodriguez
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on which beverages qualify beyond noncarbonated water, carbonated and noncarbonated fruit drinks, and vegetable juice.

Beverage Containers: Redemption Payments Exemption

AB-1780 allows beverage distributors to avoid paying redemption fees when they donate filled containers of certain beverages to tax-exempt organizations in California.

What This Bill Does

Allows beverage distributors to not pay redemption payments for donated filled beverage containers containing noncarbonated water, carbonated and noncarbonated fruit drinks, and vegetable juice.
Requires the distributor to keep records of these donations.

Who It Names or Affects

Beverage distributors in California
Tax-exempt organizations in California that receive donated beverage containers

Terms To Know

Redemption payment: Money a distributor pays to the state for each sold or transferred beverage container.
California Beverage Container Recycling Fund: A fund where redemption payments are deposited by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify which beverages qualify under this exemption beyond noncarbonated water, carbonated and noncarbonated fruit drinks, and vegetable juice.
The bill passed both chambers but does not show if it was signed into law or what its effective date is.

Bill History

2026-04-08 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (March 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-02-23 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on NAT. RES.
2026-02-10 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 12.
2026-02-09 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1780, as introduced, Michelle Rodriguez.
Beverage containers: redemption payments: exemption.
The California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, a violation of which is a crime, requires a distributor of beverage containers, as defined, to pay to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery a monthly redemption payment for every beverage container sold or transferred, as provided. The act requires the department to deposit those amounts into the California Beverage Container Recycling Fund. The act defines “beverage” to include, among other things, noncarbonated water, carbonated and noncarbonated fruit drinks, and vegetable juice, as specified.
This bill would exempt a distributor from making redemption payments to the department for filled beverage containers containing the above-described beverages that the distributor donates to an organization located in California that is exempt from federal income taxation,
as specified. The bill would require the distributor to prepare and maintain records of the donations, as specified. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF