Committee updates recycling fund, creates recycling and circular-economy coordinator positions
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Summary
A committee substitute for House Bill 291 to modernize the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act and broaden use of the RAID fund advanced from committee after testimony that the measure would expand grant flexibility and create two department coordinator positions paid from the existing fund.
The Conservation Committee advanced committee substitute for House Bill 291 with a due-pass recommendation after sponsor and department testimony explained changes to the state's recycling and illegal-dumping fund.
Senator Steinborn, sponsor of the committee substitute, said the bill updates the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act and the underlying fund (commonly referred to as the RAID fund) to remove outdated, restrictive language (the statute previously required 75% of the fund to be spent on tire cleanup) and to broaden the fund's allowable uses for recycling infrastructure and market development. Sponsor said the change will permit the state to allocate more grants for a wider range of recycling projects while still prioritizing removal of illegal tires where appropriate.
Charlene Sitton, solid-waste bureau chief at the Environment Department, told the committee the fund currently holds roughly $2.9 million (including encumbrances) and receives about $1 million annually. She said the bill keeps tire cleanup as a priority but removes the strict 75% earmark so the agency can respond to a wider set of grant requests and address more illegal dumps. Sitton said the bill would also use existing fund balances to create two staff positions inside the department: a recycling and waste-reduction coordinator and a circular-economy/market-development coordinator to help local governments connect to markets for recyclable commodities.
Supporters from local solid-waste authorities, recycling coalitions and the League of Women Voters testified in favor, citing local needs for market development and technical support. Committee members asked about fund balances, whether tire cleanup would still be prioritized, and whether creating staff positions was appropriate; Sitton said the positions would be funded from the existing RAID fund balance and that applicants should continue to apply for grants.
The committee approved a due-pass recommendation by roll call; the motion passed by a vote of seven yes and two excused members reported.