Bill in House would mandate EPA review of national reuse and refill practices

A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse has been introduced in the House to instruct the EPA to assess nationwide reuse and refill systems in a comprehensive report, per the U.S. Congress.

Designated as H.R.7370, the measure was brought forward on Feb. 4, 2026, during the 119th Congress’s regular session. The following is a summarized analysis based on the bill text, with explanations for clarity on its contents.

Broadly, this legislation directs the EPA administrator to deliver a study within two years of enactment on how reuse and refill systems can be implemented and expanded, what best practices exist, and which sectors—such as food service and retail—would be impacted. The report will look at system types, equitable rollouts, potential for job creation, business and waste management effects, and what aid from different government levels would be required. The EPA would use current data, review established programs, and involve stakeholder input in its evaluation.

Rep. Joe Neguse (Democrat-CO-2nd District) introduced the bill, with co-sponsorship from Rep. Vern Buchanan (Republican-CO-16th District) and Rep. J. Luis Correa (Democrat-CO-46th District).

Since the current session began, Rep. Neguse has brought forward 62 other pieces of legislation.

A companion bill, S.2110, was introduced in the Senate on June 18, 2025, and is listed as related by Congress to H.R.7370.

Legislation in Congress may start in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, except revenue bills, which must originate in the House. Once introduced, bills are referred to committees for examination, public hearings, amendment, and debate before being put to a vote in each chamber. Identical measures passed by both chambers go to the president for approval or veto. Congressional terms last two years and are sequentially numbered with two sessions per term. The U.S. Congress maintains all legislative records, accessible through Congress.gov.

Joseph Neguse represents Colorado as a Democrat, elected to the 116th Congress and the three following terms, beginning Jan. 3, 2019. His background includes a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as service as a university regent from 2009 to 2015 and leadership at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies from 2015 to 2017.

Information for this article is from the U.S. Congress. Source materials are available here.