In most states, the 2016 legislative session is in full swing. There are a number of bills to watch this year, though their prospects for passage vary. Here's a summary of what's happened so far. For a more in-depth view, join us in Chicago in April.

Beverage container deposit programs are in the spotlight in several states. In Massachusetts, H646 would repeal the deposit program and replace it with a $.01 per beverage container recycling fee that would phase out after three years. NAPCOR testified in opposition to this bill, since it would remove a very effective PET recycling program and replace it with a less effective approach. The bill recently moved out of the Transportation, Utilities and Environment Committee and will likely next be heard in Ways and Means.

In Iowa, the legislature is considering four different bills that would impact the buckeye state's beverage container deposit program. One bill would repeal the program, while the others would make adjustments by raising the deposit amount (from $.05 to $.10), removing the requirement for grocery stores to redeem containers, or expand to include water, juice and sport drink containers.

The Maryland legislature is again considering the Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Act. The bill was heard in the Senate Finance Committee in February. The next steps are unclear.

And in Connecticut, a bill to expand the bottle bill to cover wine and liquor has been introduced, as has a measure to study potential repeal of the state's beverage container deposit law. Both bills were recently heard in the environmental protection committee.

Meanwhile, a couple of states are considering legislation to create a packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) program. Rhode Island is once again considering a packaging EPR program. Indiana is considering a similar measure. Neither of these bills has been acted on as of yet.