Purchase of recycled paper; requirements; price preference

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Newsprint," "printing paper" and "writing paper" have the meanings provided by 40 C.F.R. 250.4 (53 Fed. Reg. 23562-23563). (2) "Waste paper" means waste paper, as defined by 40 C.F.R. 250.4 (53 Fed. Reg. 23562-23563), containing not less than 10% postconsumer material by weight. (b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c), the state shall spend on newsprint or high grade bleached printing or writing paper containing not less than 50% waste paper by weight, if sufficient amounts of such paper are available: (1) For the fiscal years beginning July 1, 1991, and July 1, 1992, an amount equal to not less than 10% of the total dollar amount of newsprint and high grade bleached printing and writing paper purchased by the state during the immediately preceding fiscal year; (2) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1993, an amount equal to not less than 15% of the total dollar amount of newsprint and high grade bleached printing and writing paper purchased by the state during the immediately preceding fiscal year; (3) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1994, an amount equal to not less than 20% of the total dollar amount of newsprint and high grade bleached printing and writing paper purchased by the state during the immediately preceding fiscal year; and (4) for fiscal years beginning on and after July 1, 1995, an amount equal to not less than 25% of the total dollar amount of newsprint and high grade bleached printing and writing paper purchased by the state during the immediately preceding fiscal year. (c) In determining the lowest responsible bidder for any purchase of newsprint or high grade bleached printing or writing paper, the director of purchases of the department of administration, or any other state officer or employee authorized to make purchases directly for a state agency, shall give the following price preferences to any bidder whose bid is for newsprint or high grade bleached printing or writing paper containing not less than 50% waste paper by weight unless the requirements of subsection (b) have been met: (1) For the fiscal years beginning July 1, 1991, and July 1, 1992, 20%; (2) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1993, 15%; (3) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1994, 10%; and (4) for fiscal years beginning on and after July 1, 1995, 5%. (d) The director of accounts and reports and the director of purchases of the department of administration, and any other state officer or employee authorized to make purchases directly for a state agency, shall cooperate to implement the provisions of this section. (e) Annually, on or before the first day of the regular legislative session, the director of the division of purchases of the department of administration shall submit to the legislature a report on progress in implementing the provisions of this section.