HF 4017

2nd Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 05/06/2026 11:08 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to solid waste; requiring study of unlawful shipment of infectious or
pathological waste; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; STUDY OF UNLAWFUL SHIPMENT OF
INFECTIOUS OR PATHOLOGICAL WASTE.
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new text begin (a) By January 15, 2027, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency must submit
a study to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives
committees and divisions with primary jurisdiction over environment and health and human
services on the unlawful transportation of infectious or pathological waste to solid waste
management facilities. The study must include:
new text end

new text begin (1) an assessment of the extent and frequency of unlawful transfer of infectious or
pathological waste to solid waste management facilities and an assessment of the costs
associated with those unlawful transfers;
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new text begin (2) a survey of a representative sample of known generators of infectious waste regarding
current practices for ensuring infectious and pathological waste is segregated from other
waste material as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 116.78; and
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new text begin (3) recommendations for legislative or policy changes that could be adopted to reduce
the frequency and cost of unlawful transfers of infectious or pathological waste, including
an estimate of the costs to state agencies. In formulating these recommendations, the
commissioner must consider whether the following measures might contribute to a reduction
in unlawful transfers of infectious or pathological waste to solid waste management facilities:
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new text begin (i) imposing fines on those who unlawfully transport infectious or pathological waste
to solid waste management facilities; and
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new text begin (ii) undertaking unannounced inspections of infectious or pathological waste generators.
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new text begin (b) $75,000 in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the environmental fund to the
commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to conduct the study required by this section.
This is a onetime appropriation.
new text end