[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 81 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCING THE TAX INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE RECYCLING (TIER) ACT

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                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 2004

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Tax 
Incentives to Encourage Recycling (TIER) Act, legislation to address 
the problem of electronic waste in this country.
  Electronic waste is a growing problem. Computer capability doubles 
every 18 months. This means that individual consumers and businesses 
must replace their computer equipment more often now than ever.
  In 2000, I introduced legislation that has since become law to 
refurbish old computers for libraries and classrooms. However, often 
times the donated equipment is too outdated to be refurbished and must 
be thrown away. This equipment has small amounts of mercury and lead 
and increasing quantities of it end up in our landfills.
  To address this growing problem, some states, including my home state 
of California, have introduced laws mandating user fees. These hidden 
taxes only serve to further widen the digital divide. By increasing the 
cost, more people will be unable to afford computers for their homes. 
This is unacceptable. As elected representatives, we should be working 
to increase access to computers and the internet, not putting them 
further out of reach for many Americans.
  My legislation, the TIER Act, addresses the problem of e-waste by 
giving tax credits to computer manufactures that implement recycling 
programs. The primary expense in computer recycling is the transport of 
the equipment from a home or business to the recycling center. This 
legislation will provide the incentive to facilitate the transport of 
the old equipment to a recycling center.
  I would like to thank my colleague, Mr. Cantor, for cosponsoring this 
important legislation. By providing incentives for recycling, we can 
keep the costs of computers reasonable and protect our environment.

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