LANSING – Schemes to take advantage of Michigan’s relatively high beverage deposit law by returning containers bought in other states are history with the signing by Governor Jennifer Granholm of a package imposing stiffer penalties and requiring retailers along and near the border to install machines that limit refunds to the in-state containers.

Another law new on the books expands DNA testing to help law enforcement track violent offenders.

Money to help retailers convert the reverse vending machines to recognize Michigan-purchased containers would come from a new beverage container redemption antifraud fund, with conversion not required until the fund contained $1 million. Advocates of the bills say the fraudulent refunds are costing the state some $10 million-$15 million a year.

Beverage makers that sell at least 500,000 cases of product in Michigan will be required to have a mark on their containers that would make it clear that the containers were sold in the state.

Signed were SB 1648 , PA 388; SB 1532 , PA 389; SB 1392 , PA 386; HB 5147 , PA 387; HB 6441 , PA 384 and HB 6442 , PA 385.

Two other bills in the original package were left hanging: HB 6440 and HB 6444 , which would have taken money from the Clean-up and Redevelopment Trust Fund to help pay for the conversion of the reverse vending machines and allowed retailers to limit the number of containers they would take for refunds in any given day.

The DNA bill (HB 4092 , PA 380) requires DNA sampling of all those arrested in state on charges of a violent felony, effective July 1. Previously, samples were required upon conviction of a felony, attempted felony or some serious misdemeanors, but law enforcement officials say they can now identify dangerous persons and compare DNA profiles of those arrested with state and national databases as well as crime scene evidence.

“This new law will give law enforcement a big advantage in their fight to keep our streets and neighborhoods safe by using technology to identify individuals who are violent offenders,” Granholm said.

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