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1 New Section; Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission. Amend RSA 149-M by inserting after section 7 the following new section:
149-M:7-a Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission.
I. There is established a commission to assist the department of environmental services in enacting an organic and food waste diversion program by providing feedback and advice on rule making and timelines.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) ?Three members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate and the minority leader.
(c) One member of the NH Recycles (formerly the Northeast Resource Recovery Association), appointed by that organization.
(d) ?One member of the Conservation Law Foundation, appointed by that organization.
(e) One member representing publicly owned in-state landfills, appointed by the commissioner of the department of environmental services.
(f) Two citizens with backgrounds in environmental science and/or public health, recommended by members of the general court and appointed to the commission by the president of the senate.
(g) One representative of the New Hampshire Grocers Association that has subject knowledge and appointed by that organization.
(h) One representative of the New Hampshire Hospital Association that has subject knowledge and appointed by that organization.
(i) One member representing municipalities, to be appointed by the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
(j) One member representing communities using source separated waste flow, to be appointed by the New Hampshire Network.
(k) ?One member with expertise in solid waste-related sustainability issues, appointed by the chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire.
(l) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(m) ?Any other members the commissioner of the department of environmental services deems necessary.
III. Terms for state agency and legislative members shall be the same as their terms in office. All other members shall serve for the duration of the commission. Upon term expiration, each appointed member shall hold office until a successor shall be appointed and qualified.
IV. The commission's work shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) ?Assisting the department of environmental services in planning for and the enactment of an effective food waste management program, with focus on diversion of food wastes and related organics.
(b) ?Reviewing such other matters as deemed necessary and to recommend any related legislation, policy, or rule changes.?
(c) ?Creating and review recommendations for timelines in enacting and bolstering the program.
(d) ?Assisting in identifying business subject to regulations and providing general support to the business community.
(e) Assisting in identifying food banks and other means of waste diversion.
(f) Reviewing and recommend methods to better provide technical assistance and educational outreach to municipalities, schools, businesses, and the public regarding food waste reduction and management policies.
(g) Overseeing potential grant opportunities for food waste producers and transfer stations to better come into compliance with established law.
V. ?The commission shall hold its organizational meeting no later than November 1, 2026. ?The working group shall submit its initial report on November 1, 2027 and yearly reports thereafter on November 1. Reports shall be sent to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, the state library and the solid waste working group.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission. Amend RSA 149-M by inserting after section 7 the following new section:
149-M:7-a Organic and Food Waste Diversion Commission.
I. There is established a commission to assist the department of environmental services in enacting an organic and food waste diversion program by providing feedback and advice on rule making and timelines.
II. Notwithstanding RSA 14:49, the members of the commission shall be as follows:
(a) ?Three members of the house of representatives, 2 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader.
(b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate and the minority leader.
(c) One member of the NH Recycles (formerly the Northeast Resource Recovery Association), appointed by that organization.
(d) ?One member of the Conservation Law Foundation, appointed by that organization.
(e) One member representing publicly owned in-state landfills, appointed by the commissioner of the department of environmental services.
(f) Two citizens with backgrounds in environmental science and/or public health, recommended by members of the general court and appointed to the commission by the president of the senate.
(g) One representative of the New Hampshire Grocers Association that has subject knowledge and appointed by that organization.
(h) One representative of the New Hampshire Hospital Association that has subject knowledge and appointed by that organization.
(i) One member representing municipalities, to be appointed by the New Hampshire Municipal Association.
(j) One member representing communities using source separated waste flow, to be appointed by the New Hampshire Network.
(k) ?One member with expertise in solid waste-related sustainability issues, appointed by the chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire.
(l) The commissioner of the department of environmental services, or designee.
(m) ?Any other members the commissioner of the department of environmental services deems necessary.
III. Terms for state agency and legislative members shall be the same as their terms in office. All other members shall serve for the duration of the commission. Upon term expiration, each appointed member shall hold office until a successor shall be appointed and qualified.
IV. The commission's work shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) ?Assisting the department of environmental services in planning for and the enactment of an effective food waste management program, with focus on diversion of food wastes and related organics.
(b) ?Reviewing such other matters as deemed necessary and to recommend any related legislation, policy, or rule changes.?
(c) ?Creating and review recommendations for timelines in enacting and bolstering the program.
(d) ?Assisting in identifying business subject to regulations and providing general support to the business community.
(e) Assisting in identifying food banks and other means of waste diversion.
(f) Reviewing and recommend methods to better provide technical assistance and educational outreach to municipalities, schools, businesses, and the public regarding food waste reduction and management policies.
(g) Overseeing potential grant opportunities for food waste producers and transfer stations to better come into compliance with established law.
V. ?The commission shall hold its organizational meeting no later than November 1, 2026. ?The working group shall submit its initial report on November 1, 2027 and yearly reports thereafter on November 1. Reports shall be sent to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, the state library and the solid waste working group.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.