HF 4409

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 02/28/2024 04:35pm

A bill for an act
relating to environment; establishing a grant program for pilot projects to encourage
and increase composting in multifamily buildings; requiring a report; 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.5591] COMPOSTING; MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS;
COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given:
new text end

new text begin (1) "composting" means the controlled biological decomposition of organic materials,
including food waste, fish and animal waste, plant materials, and certain types of
nonrecyclable paper, into material that can be used to enrich soil and plants; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "multifamily building" means an apartment facility containing four or more dwelling
units, each to be rented by a person or family for use as a residence.
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 must establish a competitive
grant program to provide financial assistance to develop and implement pilot projects that
encourage and increase composting by residents of multifamily buildings in areas where
compost is not collected at curbside. Each grant must include an educational component on
the methods and benefits of composting.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible applicants. new text end

new text begin A grant may be awarded under this section to:
new text end

new text begin (1) a political subdivision;
new text end

new text begin (2) an owner of a multifamily building; or
new text end

new text begin (3) an organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Application. new text end

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

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Account established. new text end

new text begin (a) A multifamily building composting grant program
account is established in the special revenue account in the state treasury. The commissioner
must credit to the account appropriations and transfers to the account. Earnings, such as
interest, dividends, and any other earnings arising from assets of the account, must be
credited to the account. Money remaining in the account at the end of a fiscal year does not
cancel to the general fund, but remains in the account. The commissioner must manage the
account.
new text end

new text begin (b) Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner and may be used only to:
new text end

new text begin (1) provide grants as specified in this section; and
new text end

new text begin (2) reimburse the reasonable expenses of the Pollution Control Agency in administering
the grant program.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin (a) $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 is appropriated from the general fund to the
commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency to make grants for pilot projects that
encourage composting by residents of multifamily buildings under Minnesota Statutes,
section 115A.5591. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2027.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must submit a report on the grants awarded under Minnesota
Statutes, section 115A.5591, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees with primary jurisdiction over environment policy and
finance. The report must contain, at a minimum, a list of grantees, the amount of each grant
award, the activities undertaken with grant funds, and, if possible, the results of the grant
with respect to encouraging composting in multifamily buildings. The report is due by the
earlier of October 1, 2027, or three months after the appropriation in this section is exhausted.
new text end