HF 2154

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:00am

A bill for an act
relating to solid waste; establishing composting competitive grant program;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 115A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [115A.559] COMPOSTING COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "local governmental
unit" means a county, statutory or home rule charter city, town, school district, soil and
water conservation district, other special district, or other political subdivision or public
corporation.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant program established. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall make competitive
grants to local governmental units and nonprofit organizations to increase composting
and reduce the amount of organic wastes entering disposal facilities. To achieve the
purpose of the grant program, the commissioner shall actively recruit potential applicants
beyond traditional solid waste professionals and organizations, such as soil and water
conservation districts and schools.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner must develop forms and procedures
for soliciting and reviewing applications for grants under this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The determination of whether to make a grant under this section is within the
discretion of the commissioner, subject to subdivision 4. The commissioner's decisions
are not subject to judicial review, except for abuse of discretion.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Priorities; eligible projects. new text end

new text begin (a) If applications for grants exceed the
available appropriations, grants must be made for projects that, in the commissioner's
judgment, provide the highest return in public benefits.
new text end

new text begin (b) Eligible projects include those that emphasize local administration of programs,
have measurable outcomes, and emphasize:
new text end

new text begin (1) reducing costs associated with hauling wastes;
new text end

new text begin (2) reducing food wastes and other organics entering the mixed municipal solid
waste stream;
new text end

new text begin (3) increasing composting opportunities;
new text end

new text begin (4) increasing cooperation among local organizations, including government,
schools, lake associations, soil and water conservation districts, and local road authorities;
new text end

new text begin (5) increasing educational programs that support composting activities;
new text end

new text begin (6) developing erosion control practices that use compost;
new text end

new text begin (7) encouraging residential composting by homeowners;
new text end

new text begin (8) reducing food waste from schools; or
new text end

new text begin (9) other methods of increasing composting and reducing the amount of organic
wastes entering disposal facilities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Cancellation of grant. new text end

new text begin If a grant is awarded under this section and
funds are not encumbered for the grant within four years after the award date, the grant
must be canceled.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPORT.
new text end

new text begin By December 15, 2011, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall
report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural
resources policy on:
new text end

new text begin (1) the mixed municipal solid waste diversion rates accomplished by the grant
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.559;
new text end

new text begin (2) participants in the grant program and the programs developed with grant funds;
and
new text end

new text begin (3) the potential for new permanent programs based on results of projects funded
with grants issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.559.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $500,000 in fiscal year 2010 and $500,000 in fiscal year 2011 are appropriated from
the environmental fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to administer
the grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.559. If the appropriation in
either year is insufficient, the appropriation for the other year is available for it. This
amount is added to the agency base.
new text end