Committee adopts amendment and advances biosolids bill to protect fertilizer and compost markets
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Summary
The committee adopted a strike‑all amendment to SB 1294 to ensure bulk Class AA biosolids sold as fertilizer are applied at agronomic rates, to limit giveaway‑driven disposal, and to extend a compliance transition to July 1, 2028; supporters asked for funding for the biosolids grant program.
Senator Bradley presented a strike‑all amendment to SB 1294 intended to protect fertilizer and compost markets and close a gap that allows Class AA biosolids to be transferred under the label "fertilizer" when, in practice, the material may be being disposed. The amendment requires that bulk Class AA biosolids, fertilizer and compost products be land applied only at agronomic rates and that bona fide sales—not giveaways—allow applications without a permit; non‑sale transfers would require permitted land application sites approved by DEP.
The amendment also clarified federal resource references, refined a compost exemption and moved the effective date to July 1, 2028, giving industry time to comply. John November of the Public Trust for Conservation supported the bill’s planning timeline and market protections. Alicia Keeter (FRWA) requested appropriation of the biosolids grant program (403.0674) so smaller utilities can access funds for upgrades and meet land‑application requirements.
The amendment was adopted and CS for SB 12 94 was reported favorably by the committee. Stakeholders requested that funding be identified to support small utilities through the transition period.
The committee’s action advances the bill; implementation details and appropriations remain to be worked out in subsequent steps.