The House passed Senate Bill 992 on third reading, a package of changes aimed at modernizing Oregon’s bottle bill. Representative Grama, the floor sponsor, described the bill as a set of “carefully tailored improvements” intended to preserve convenience while addressing operational challenges in urban areas.

Representative Grama told members SB 992 creates an “alternative access redemption center” to serve daily redeemers in downtown Portland, operated by a nonprofit and sponsored by a distributor cooperative. The center would accept up to 350 containers per person per day and enable adjustments to retail return requirements within a specified radius — a so‑called convenience zone — near the center. The bill also offers options for larger retailers within the zone to fund a redemption center or host green/blue bag drop sites, and allows smaller stores to limit container returns to 24 per person per day and to set operating hours.

Floor debate included support for clarifying siting rules: Representative Nelson said section 9 incorporated policy she sponsored (HB 2921) to require public engagement and to allow redemption centers in commercial or industrial zones. Representative Drazen urged that the bill is a start but flagged a need for broader work addressing addiction and community impacts tied to daily redemptions.

Supporters said the bill balances retailer and redeemer convenience, clarifies zoning permissibility for centers and codifies public‑engagement practices. After debate the clerk declared SB 992 passed.