as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 02:24am
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:
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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.
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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.
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(a) The commissioner must develop forms and procedures
for soliciting and reviewing applications for grants under this section.
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(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.
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(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.
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(b) Eligible projects include those that emphasize local administration of programs,
measurable outcomes, and:
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(1) reducing costs associated with hauling wastes;
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(2) reducing food wastes and other organics entering the mixed municipal solid
waste stream;
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(3) increasing composting opportunities;
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(4) increasing cooperation among local organizations, including government,
schools, lake associations, soil and water conservation districts, and local road authorities;
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(5) increasing educational programs that support composting activities;
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(6) developing erosion control practices that use compost;
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(7) encouraging residential composting by homeowners;
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(8) reducing food waste from schools; or
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(9) other methods of increasing composting and reducing the amount of organic
wastes entering disposal facilities.
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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.
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By January 1, 2014, the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency shall report
to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over environment and natural resources
policy on:
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(1) the mixed municipal solid waste diversion rates accomplished by the grant
program under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.559;
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(2) participants in the grant program and the programs developed with grant funds;
and
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(3) the potential for new permanent programs based on results of projects funded
with grants issued under Minnesota Statutes, section 115A.559.
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$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.
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