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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1439 (101st)

Degradable Plastics Act of 1989

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

15 March 1989

Last action

27 March 1989 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

Sponsors

Rep. Lancaster, H. Martin [D-NC-3], Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5], Rep. Bates, Jim [D-CA-44], Rep. Beilenson, Anthony C. [D-CA-24], Rep. Bonior, David E. [D-MI-10], Rep. Clement, Bob [D-TN-5], Rep. Dwyer, Bernard J. [D-NJ-6], Rep. Gejdenson, Sam [D-CT-2], Rep. Harris, Claude [D-AL-7], Rep. Lagomarsino, Robert J. [R-CA-19], Rep. Neal, Stephen L. [D-NC-5], Rep. Owens, Major R. [D-NY-11], Rep. Penny, Timothy J. [D-MN-1], Rep. Price, David E. [D-NC-4], Rep. Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. [R-FL-22], Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6], Rep. Valentine, Tim [D-NC-2], Rep. Weiss, Ted [D-NY-17], Rep. Eckart, Dennis E. [D-OH-11], Rep. Atkins, Chester G. [D-MA-5], Rep. Bennett, Charles E. [D-FL-3], Del. de Lugo, Ron [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Donnelly, Brian J. [D-MA-11], Rep. Espy, Mike [D-MS-2], Rep. Evans, Lane [D-IL-17], Rep. Henry, Paul B. [R-MI-5], Rep. Ireland, Andrew P. [R-FL-10], Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD], Rep. Jontz, Jim [D-IN-5], Rep. Mineta, Norman Y. [D-CA-15], Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8], Rep. Pease, Donald J. [D-OH-13], Rep. Rinaldo, Matthew J. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Roukema, Marge [R-NJ-5], Rep. Stangeland, Arlan [R-MN-7], Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10], Rep. Poshard, Glenn [D-IL-22], Rep. Gunderson, Steve [R-WI-3], Rep. Hertel, Dennis M. [D-MI-14], Rep. Lipinski, William O. [D-IL-3], Rep. Davis, Robert W. [R-MI-11], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. Buechner, Jack [R-MO-2], Rep. Hefner, W. G. (Bill) [D-NC-8], Rep. Martinez, Matthew G. [D-CA-31], Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17], Rep. Slattery, Jim [D-KS-2], Rep. Owens, Wayne [D-UT-2]

Subjects

Environment

Source updated

26 August 2025

Environment

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Summary

Degradable Plastics Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to issue rules, within two years of this Act's enactment, requiring that plastic articles which are produced, distributed, or sold in the United States be made of naturally degradable material which will begin reduction to environmentally benign subunits within a specified period of time after being discarded that is not to exceed 180 days and complete such reduction within a specified period of time that is not to exceed two years. Provides that this Act does not preclude States or localities from adopting more stringent rules. Imposes civil and criminal penalties against persons who violate such rules. Requires producers of plastic articles to make records regarding the development and production of such articles available to the Administrator for inspection and copying. Makes the rules issued pursuant to this Act inapplicable to any plastic article produced before the end of the five-year period beginning after the issuance of such rules.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 15 March 1989

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 15 March 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 15 March 1989

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 27 March 1989

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Hazardous Materials.

    Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

Documents

2 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 15 March 1989

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

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Related records

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Sources

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