Increases the handling fee paid to dealers or operators of a redemption center

This bill increases the handling fee paid to redemption centers for processing empty beverage containers. Starting April 1, 2025, the fee rises from 3.5 cents to 6 cents per container, with future adjustments tied to annual minimum wage changes in New York State or federal law. The fee compensates centers for collecting, sorting, and packaging containers, and must be adjusted each year based on the percentage increase in the applicable minimum wage rate. It directly affects dealers and operators of redemption centers who handle beverage container returns. The fee cannot be reduced from previous amounts or conditioned on purchases, and adjustments follow specific wage-linked formulas.