Maryland doesn't want residents just pitching old computer parts and computer makers are going to pay. Literally.

Last month, Maryland governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. signed into law the Statewide Computer Recycling Pilot Program, the third such law nation-wide (the first was established in Rhode Island in 2001). Effective July 1, the law requires manufacturers who want to do business in Maryland to offer free recycling programs to consumers.

Additionally, these manufacturers must pay an initial fee of $5000 to the state to cover "registration" costs. Those companies that follow the law perfectly will still be charged an annual fee of $500.

While states such as California charge consumers directly for disposing of computers and TVs, Maryland went with an indirect approach that may leave consumers eventually covering the costs anyway. Fortunately for Maryland legislators, manufacturing companies don't get to vote.

HP has already said it isn't sure if and how this will affect prices. According to their director of government and public policy, "It's too early to say. The bill just passed and we haven't determined our plans yet."