Maryland 2025 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB42 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3	3		EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
4	4		[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
5		-	Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
6		-	Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
7		-	amendment.
8	5		hb0042
9	6
10	7		HOUSE BILL 42
11	8		M3, M4 5lr1619
12	9		(PRE–FILED) CF SB 134
13		-	By: Delegate Boyce ~~Delegates Boyce, Healey, Lehman, R. Lewis, Ruth, and Stein~~
	10	+	By: Delegate Boyce
14	11		Requested: November 1, 2024
15	12		Introduced and read first time: January 8, 2025
16	13		Assigned to: Environment and Transportation
17		-	Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
18		-	House action: Adopted
19		-	Read second time: March 6, 2025
20	14
21		-	~~CHAPTER ______~~
	15	+	A BILL ENTITLED
22	16
23	17		AN ACT concerning 1
24	18
25		-	Solid Waste Disposal Surcharge ~~On–Farm Organics~~ and Wasted Food Reduction 2
26		-	~~and Diversion~~ Fund and Grant Programs – Established 3
	19	+	Solid Waste Disposal Surcharge and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion 2
	20	+	Fund and Grant Programs – Established 3
27	21
28	22		FOR the purpose of establishing the On–Farm Organics Diversion and Recycling Grant 4
29	23		Program in the Department of Agriculture to award grants to eligible entities to 5
30	24		develop and implement on–farm organics recycling and compost use, wasted food 6
31	25		prevention, and food rescue; establishing a solid waste disposal surcharge on the 7
32	26		final disposal of solid waste in the State; requiring, beginning on a certain date and 8
33	27		each quarter thereafter, the owner or operator of a refuse disposal system to submit 9
34	28		a certain solid waste disposal surcharge to the Comptroller in a certain manner; 10
35	29		requiring the Comptroller to deposit certain surcharges into a certain fund; 11
36	30		establishing the Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Fund as a special, nonlapsing 12
37	31		fund and requiring interest earnings of the Fund to be credited to the Fund; 13
38	32		establishing the Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Grant Program and the 14
39	33		County Wasted Food Reduction Block Grant Program in the Department of the 15
40	34		Environment to award grants and fund certain projects for infrastructure, programs, 16
41	35		and education that reduce, rescue, and divert wasted food in the State and certain 17
42		-	counties; authorizing the Governor to transfer a certain amount from the Maryland 18
43		-	Strategic Energy Investment Fund to certain programs in certain fiscal years; and 19
44		-	generally relating to wasted food reduction and diversion in the State. 20
	36	+	counties; and generally relating to wasted food reduction and diversion in the State. 18
45	37
46		-	BY adding to 21
47		-	Article – Agriculture 22
48		-	Section 2–109 23 2 HOUSE BILL 42
	38	+	BY adding to 19
	39	+	Article – Agriculture 20
	40	+	Section 2–109 21
	41	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 22
	42	+	(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 23
49	43
50		-
51		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 1
52		-	(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 2
53		-
54		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 3
55		-	Article – Agriculture 4
56		-	Section 2–401(a)(1) and (3) and 2–2001(a), (f), and (g) 5
57		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 6
58		-	(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 7
59		-
60		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
61		-	Article – Environment 9
62		-	Section 1–701(a)(1), (7), and (8) 10
63		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 11
64		-	(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 12
65		-
66		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 13
67		-	Article – Environment 14
68		-	Section 9–201(a) and (e) 15
69		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 16
70		-	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 17
71		-
72		-	BY adding to 18
73		-	Article – Environment 19
74		-	Section 9–1725.1, and 9–1725.2, 9–1725.3, and 9–1725.4 20
75		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 21
76		-	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 22
77		-
78		-	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 23
79		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 24
80		-	Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 25
81		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 26
82		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 27
83		-
84		-	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 28
85		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 29
86		-	Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)204. and 205. 30
87		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 31
88		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 32
89		-
90		-	BY adding to 33
91		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 34
92		-	Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)206. 35
93		-	Annotated Code of Maryland 36
94		-	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 37
95		-
96		-	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 38
97		-	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 39 HOUSE BILL 42 3
	44	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 24
	45	+	Article – Agriculture 25
	46	+	Section 2–401(a)(1) and (3) and 2–2001(a), (f), and (g) 26
	47	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 27
	48	+	(2016 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 28 2 HOUSE BILL 42
98	49
99	50
100	51
101		-	Article – Agriculture 1
	52	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 1
	53	+	Article – Environment 2
	54	+	Section 1–701(a)(1), (7), and (8) 3
	55	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 4
	56	+	(2013 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 5
102	57
103		-	2–109. 2
	58	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 6
	59	+	Article – Environment 7
	60	+	Section 9–201(a) and (e) 8
	61	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 9
	62	+	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 10
104	63
105		-	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORD S HAVE THE MEANINGS 3
106		-	INDICATED. 4
	64	+	BY adding to 11
	65	+	Article – Environment 12
	66	+	Section 9–1725.1, 9–1725.2, 9–1725.3, and 9–1725.4 13
	67	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 14
	68	+	(2014 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 15
107	69
108		-	(2) “GRANT PROGRAM” MEANS THE ON–FARM ORGANICS 5
109		-	DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM. 6
	70	+	BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 16
	71	+	Article – State Finance and Procurement 17
	72	+	Section 6–226(a)(2)(i) 18
	73	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 19
	74	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 20
110	75
111		-	(3) “URBAN AGRICULTURAL PR ODUCER” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 7
112		-	IN § 2–2001 OF THIS TITLE. 8
	76	+	BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 21
	77	+	Article – State Finance and Procurement 22
	78	+	Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)204. and 205. 23
	79	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 24
	80	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 25
113	81
114		-	(4) “URBAN FARMER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–401 OF THIS 9
115		-	TITLE. 10
	82	+	BY adding to 26
	83	+	Article – State Finance and Procurement 27
	84	+	Section 6–226(a)(2)(ii)206. 28
	85	+	Annotated Code of Maryland 29
	86	+	(2021 Replacement Volume and 2024 Supplement) 30
116	87
117		-	~~(B) THERE BEGINNING JULY~~ 1, ~~2027, THERE IS AN ON–FARM ORGANICS 11~~
118		-	~~DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM IN~~ THE ~~DEPARTMENT . 12~~
	88	+	SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 31
	89	+	That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 32
119	90
120		-	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO AWARD G RANTS 13
121		-	ANNUALLY FOR DEVELOPING AND I MPLEMENTING ON –FARM ORGANICS RECYCL ING 14
122		-	AND COMPOST USE , WASTED FOOD PREVENTI ON, AND FOOD RESCUE . 15
	91	+	Article – Agriculture 33
123	92
124		-	(D) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 16
125		-	ENVIRONMENT , SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM. 17
	93	+	2–109. 34
126	94
127		-	(E) THE FOLLOWING PERSO NS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THE 18
128		-	GRANT PROGRAM: 19
	95	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 35
	96	+	INDICATED. 36
	97	+	HOUSE BILL 42 3
129	98
130		-	(1) A FARMER, AN URBAN FARMER , OR AN URBAN AGRICULT URAL 20
131		-	PRODUCER; 21
132	99
133		-	(2) A SOIL CONSERVATION DI STRICT; 22
	100	+	(2) “GRANT PROGRAM” MEANS THE ON–FARM ORGANICS 1
	101	+	DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM. 2
134	102
135		-	(3) ~~AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION AS DEF INED IN § 10–101 23~~
136		-	OF ~~THE EDUCATION ARTICLE;~~ 24
	103	+	(3) “URBAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE R” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 3
	104	+	IN § 2–2001 OF THIS TITLE. 4
137	105
138		-	(4) A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON; 25
	106	+	(4) “URBAN FARMER” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–401 OF THIS 5
	107	+	TITLE. 6
139	108
140		-	(5) A BUSINESS IN THE STATE THAT IS IN: 26
	109	+	(B) THERE IS AN ON–FARM ORGANICS DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT 7
	110	+	PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 8
141	111
142		-	(I) GOOD STANDING WITH TH E STATE DEPARTMENT OF 27
143		-	ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION; AND 28
	112	+	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO AWARD G RANTS 9
	113	+	ANNUALLY FOR DEVELOP ING AND IMPLEMENTING ON–FARM ORGANICS RECYCLING 10
	114	+	AND COMPOST USE , WASTED FOOD PREVENTI ON, AND FOOD RESCUE . 11
	115	+
	116	+	(D) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE 12
	117	+	ENVIRONMENT , SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM. 13
	118	+
	119	+	(E) THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A G RANT UNDER THE 14
	120	+	GRANT PROGRAM: 15
	121	+
	122	+	(1) A FARMER, AN URBAN FARMER , OR AN URBAN AGRICULTURAL 16
	123	+	PRODUCER; 17
	124	+
	125	+	(2) A SOIL CONSERVATION DI STRICT; 18
	126	+
	127	+	(3) AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION AS DEF INED IN § 10–101 19
	128	+	OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE; 20
	129	+
	130	+	(4) A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON; 21
	131	+
	132	+	(5) A BUSINESS IN THE STATE THAT IS IN: 22
	133	+
	134	+	(I) GOOD STANDING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF 23
	135	+	ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION; AND 24
	136	+
	137	+	(II) PARTNERSHIP WITH A FA RMER, AN URBAN FARMER , OR AN 25
	138	+	URBAN AGRICULTURAL P RODUCER; AND 26
	139	+
	140	+	(6) A CONSORTIUM OF ANY EN TITIES UNDER THIS SU BSECTION. 27
144	141		4 HOUSE BILL 42
145	142
146	143
147		-	(II) PARTNERSHIP WITH A FA RMER, AN URBAN FARMER , OR AN 1
148		-	URBAN AGRICULTURAL P RODUCER; AND 2
	144	+	(F) A PROJECT IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER TH E GRANT PROGRAM IF 1
	145	+	THE PROJECT DEVELOPS , MAINTAINS, OR EXPANDS INFRASTRU CTURE, COLLECTION 2
	146	+	PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, OR TECHNICAL ASSISTA NCE IN THE STATE THAT: 3
149	147
150		-	(6) ~~A CONSORTIUM~~ OF ~~ANY EN TITIES UNDER THIS SU BSECTION. 3~~
	148	+	(1) REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF WASTED FOOD GENERATE D; 4
151	149
152		-	(F) A PROJECT IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER TH E GRANT PROGRAM IF 4
153		-	THE PROJECT DEVELOPS , MAINTAINS, OR EXPANDS INFRASTRU CTURE, COLLECTION 5
154		-	PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, OR TECHNICAL ASSISTA NCE IN THE STATE THAT: 6
	150	+	(2) RESCUES EDIBLE FOOD F OR PURPOSES OF REDIS TRIBUTION; 5
155	151
156		-	(1) REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF WASTED FOOD GENERATE D; 7
	152	+	(3) RECOVERS WASTED FOOD AS ANIMAL FEED IF TH E FEED IS 6
	153	+	REGISTERED AND TREAT ED IN ACCORDANCE WIT H REGULATIONS IMPLEM ENTED BY 7
	154	+	THE DEPARTMENT ; 8
157	155
158		-	(2) RESCUES EDIBLE FOOD F OR PURPOSES OF REDIS TRIBUTION; 8
	156	+	(4) COMPOSTS OR RECYCLES FOOD RESIDUALS THAT ARE 9
	157	+	SEPARATED FROM PACKA GING PRIOR TO COLLEC TION, INCLUDING AT –HOME, 10
	158	+	COMMUNITY , AND ON–FARM COMPOSTING ; 11
159	159
160		-	(3) ~~RECOVERS WASTED~~ FOOD ~~AS ANIMAL FEED IF TH E FEED IS 9~~
161		-	~~REGISTERED~~ AND ~~TREAT ED IN ACCORDANCE WIT H REGULATIONS IMPLEM ENTED BY 10~~
162		-	~~THE DEPARTMENT~~ ; 11
	160	+	(5) PROVIDES LABOR AND WA GES IN SUPPORT OF WA STED FOOD 12
	161	+	PREVENTION , FOOD RESCUE , AND ON–FARM ORGANICS REC YCLING AND COMPOST 13
	162	+	USE; 14
163	163
164		-	(4) COMPOSTS OR RECYCLES FOOD RESIDUALS THAT ARE 12
165		-	SEPARATED FROM PACKA GING PRIOR TO COLLEC TION, INCLUDING AT –HOME, 13
166		-	COMMUNITY , AND ON–FARM COMPOSTING ; 14
	164	+	(6) PROVIDES BEST MANAGEM ENT PRACTICE TRAININ G IN 15
	165	+	RELEVANT FIELDS BY A REPUTABLE TRAINING P ROGRAM; 16
167	166
168		-	(5) PROVIDES LABOR AND WA GES IN SUPPORT OF WA STED FOOD 15
169		-	PREVENTION , FOOD RESCUE , AND ON–FARM ORGANICS REC YCLING AND COMPOST 16
170		-	USE; 17
	167	+	(7) STUDIES THE IMPACTS O F COMPOST APPLICATIO N ON ON–FARM 17
	168	+	NUTRIENT AND WATER Q UALITY MANAGEMENT ; OR 18
171	169
172		-	(6) ~~PROVIDES BEST MANAGEM ENT PRACTICE TRAININ G~~ IN 18
173		-	~~RELEVANT FIELDS BY A REPUTABLE TRAINING P ROGRAM; 19~~
	170	+	(8) ASSISTS IN THE PAYME NT OF APPLICABLE PER MIT APPLICATION 19
	171	+	COSTS. 20
174	172
175		-	(7) STUDIES THE IMPACTS O F COMPOST APPLICATIO N ON ON–FARM 20
176		-	NUTRIENT AND WATER Q UALITY MANAGEMENT ; OR 21
	173	+	(G) IN AWARDING GRANTS UN DER THE GRANT PROGRAM, THE 21
	174	+	DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT , 22
	175	+	SHALL PRIORITIZE PRO JECTS: 23
177	176
178		-	(8) ~~ASSISTS IN~~ THE ~~PAYME~~ NT ~~OF APPLICABLE PER MIT APPLICATION 22~~
179		-	~~COSTS. 23~~
	177	+	(1) FOR WHICH THE APPLICA NT CLEARLY DESCRIBES HOW THE 24
	178	+	PROJECT WILL: 25
180	179
181		-	(G) IN AWARDING GRANTS UN DER THE GRANT PROGRAM, THE 24
182		-	DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT , 25
183		-	SHALL PRIORITIZE PRO JECTS: 26
	180	+	(I) PROVIDE DIRECT , MEANINGFUL , AND ASSURED BENEFITS 26
	181	+	TO THE COMMUNITY ; AND 27
184	182
185		-	(1) FOR WHICH THE APPLICA NT CLEARLY DESCRIBES HOW THE 27
186		-	PROJECT WILL: 28
	183	+	(II) ADDRESS IMPORTANT COM MUNITY NEEDS ; 28
187	184
188		-	(I) ~~PROVIDE DIRECT~~ , ~~MEANINGFUL~~ , AND ~~ASSURED BENEFITS~~ 29
189		-	~~TO THE~~ COMMUNITY ; ~~AND~~ 30
	185	+	(2) THAT PREVENT , RESCUE, AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD WITHIN A 29
	186	+	LOCAL COMMUNITY ; 30
190	187		HOUSE BILL 42 5
191	188
192	189
193		-	(II) ADDRESS IMPORTANT COM MUNITY NEEDS ; 1
	190	+	(3) THAT PLAN TO PRODUCE COMPOST THAT MEETS T HE 1
	191	+	CLASSIFICATION OF “GENERAL USE” UNDER COMAR 15.18.04.05; 2
194	192
195		-	(2) THAT ~~PREVENT , RESCUE,~~ ~~AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD WITHIN A 2~~
196		-	~~LOCAL COMMUNITY ; 3~~
	193	+	(4) THAT PLAN TO PRODUCE MINIMALLY CONTAMINAT ED COMPOST 3
	194	+	THROUGH: 4
197	195
198		-	(3) THAT ~~PLAN TO PRODUCE COMPOST THAT MEETS THE 4~~
199		-	~~CLASSIFICATION OF “GENERAL~~ ~~USE” UNDER COMAR 15.18.04.05~~; 5
	196	+	(I) PROCESSING ORGANIC MATERIALS THAT ARE SEPARATED 5
	197	+	FROM PACKAGIN G PRIOR TO COLLECTIO N; 6
200	198
201		-	(4) THAT PLAN TO PRODUCE MINIMALLY CONTAMINAT ED COMPOST 6
202		-	THROUGH: 7
	199	+	(II) NOT USING DEPACKAGERS ; AND 7
203	200
204		-	(I) ~~PROCESSING ORGANIC MA TERIALS THAT ARE SEP ARATED~~ 8
205		-	~~FROM PACKAGING PRIOR TO COLLECTION ;~~ 9
	201	+	(III) MEETING THE U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL’S SEAL OF 8
	202	+	TESTING ASSURANCE; 9
206	203
207		-	(II) NOT USING DEPACKAGERS ; AND 10
	204	+	(5) THAT SERVE AN OVERBUR DENED OR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY 10
	205	+	AS DEFINED IN § 1–701 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE; 11
208	206
209		-	(~~III~~) ~~MEETING~~ THE ~~U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL’S SEAL OF 11~~
210		-	~~TESTING ASSURANCE; 12~~
	207	+	(6) THAT MINIMIZE NEGATIVE IM PACTS TO THE LOCAL C OMMUNITY; 12
	208	+	AND 13
211	209
212		-	(5) THAT ~~SERVE AN OVERBUR DENED OR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY 13~~
213		-	~~AS DEFINED IN § 1–701 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE; 14~~
	210	+	(7) THAT MAXIMIZE BENEFIT S TO THE LOCAL COMMU NITY, 14
	211	+	INCLUDING: 15
214	212
215		-	(6) THAT MINIMIZE NEGATIV E IMPACTS TO THE LOC AL COMMUNITY ; 15
216		-	AND 16
	213	+	(I) THE CREATION OF JOBS ; 16
217	214
218		-	(7) THAT MAXIMIZE BENEFIT S TO THE LOCAL COMMU NITY, 17
219		-	INCLUDING: 18
	215	+	(II) INCREASING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 17
220	216
221		-	(I) THE CREATION OF JOBS ; 19
	217	+	(III) INCREASING HIRING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPME NT 18
	218	+	PRACTICES THAT ARE INCLUSIVE A ND PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE. 19
222	219
223		-	(II) INCREASING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 20
	220	+	(H) AN ELIGIBLE PERSON TH AT RECEIVES A GRANT UNDER THE GRANT 20
	221	+	PROGRAM MAY NOT RECEI VE A GRANT UNDER THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 21
	222	+	DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1725.3 OF THE ENVIRONMENT ARTICLE 22
	223	+	IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR . 23
224	224
225		-	(III) INCREASING HIRING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPME NT 21
226		-	PRACTICES THAT ARE I NCLUSIVE AND PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE. 22
	225	+	(I) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027, AND EACH DECEMBER 31 24
	226	+	THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 25
	227	+	ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON: 26
227	228
228		-	(H) AN ELIGIBLE PERSON TH AT RECEIVES A GRANT UNDER THE GRANT 23
229		-	PROGRAM MAY NOT RECEI VE A GRANT UNDER THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 24
230		-	DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1725.3 9–1725.1 OF THE ENVIRONMENT 25
231		-	ARTICLE IN THE SAME C ALENDAR YEAR . 26
	229	+	(1) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF GRANTS AWARDED ; 27
232	230
233		-	(I) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027, AND EACH DECEMBER 31 27
234		-	THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 28
235		-	ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON: 29
	231	+	(2) THE IMPACT OF THE GRA NTS ON THE CREATION OF JOBS AND 28
	232	+	OTHER BENEFITS TO TH E STATE; 29
236	233		6 HOUSE BILL 42
237	234
238	235
239		-	(1) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF GRANTS AWARDED ; 1
	236	+	(3) THE IMPACT ON FOOD WA STE PREVENTED , RESCUED, AND 1
	237	+	DIVERTED FROM DISPOS AL; AND 2
240	238
241		-	(2) THE IMPACT ~~OF THE GRA NTS~~ ON ~~THE CREATION OF JOBS~~ AND 2
242		-	~~OTHER BENEFITS TO TH E~~ STATE~~; 3~~
	239	+	(4) THE IMPACT ON FARMERS , URBAN FARMERS , AND URBAN 3
	240	+	AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE RS IN THE STATE. 4
243	241
244		-	(3) THE IMPACT ON FOOD WA STE PREVENTED , RESCUED, AND 4
245		-	DIVERTED FROM DISPOS AL; AND 5
	242	+	2–401. 5
246	243
247		-	(4) THE IMPACT ON FARMERS , URBAN FARMERS , AND URBAN 6
248		-	AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE RS IN THE STATE. 7
	244	+	(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 6
249	245
250		-	~~2–401~~. 8
	246	+	(3) “Urban farmer” means an individual who farms in an urban area. 7
251	247
252		-	~~(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated~~. 9
	248	+	2–2001. 8
253	249
254		-	(3) ~~“Urban farmer” means an individual who farms~~ in ~~an urban area~~. 10
	250	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 9
255	251
256		-	2–2001. 11
	252	+	(f) “Urban agricultural producer” means any person that annually sells, or 10
	253	+	normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of farm products in an urban area. 11
257	254
258		-	(a) ~~In this subtitle~~ the ~~following words have the meanings indicated.~~ 12
	255	+	(g) “Urban area” means an area of the State that is: 12
259	256
260		-	(f) “Urban agricultural producer” means any person that annually sells, or 13
261		-	normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of farm products in an urban area. 14
	257	+	(1) Delineated as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau; or 13
262	258
263		-	(g) ~~“Urban area”~~ ~~means an area~~ of ~~the State that is:~~ 15
	259	+	(2) Within the boundaries of a municipal corporation. 14
264	260
265		-	~~(1) Delineated as an urban area by the U.S. Census Bureau; or 16~~
	261	+	Article – Environment 15
266	262
267		-	~~(2) Within the boundaries of a municipal corporation~~. 17
	263	+	1–701. 16
268	264
269		-	~~Article – Environment 18~~
	265	+	(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 17
270	266
271		-	1–701. 19
	267	+	(7) “Overburdened community” means any census tract for which three or 18
	268	+	more of the following environmental health indicators are above the 75th percentile 19
	269	+	statewide: 20
272	270
273		-	(a) (1) ~~In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 20~~
	271	+	(i) Particulate matter (PM) 2.5; 21
274	272
275		-	(7) “Overburdened community” means any census tract for which three or 21
276		-	more of the following environmental health indicators are above the 75th percentile 22
277		-	statewide: 23
	273	+	(ii) Ozone; 22
278	274
279		-	(i) ~~Particulate matter~~ (PM) ~~2.5~~; 24
	275	+	(iii) National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) diesel PM; 23
280	276
281		-	(ii) ~~Ozone~~; 25
	277	+	(iv) NATA cancer risk; 24
282	278
283		-	(iii) National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) diesel PM; 26
	279	+	(v) NATA respiratory hazard index; 25
	280	+
	281	+	(vi) Traffic proximity; 26
284	282		HOUSE BILL 42 7
285	283
286	284
287		-	(iv) ~~NATA cancer risk~~; 1
	285	+	(vii) Lead paint indicator; 1
288	286
289		-	(v) ~~NATA respiratory hazard index~~; 2
	287	+	(viii) National Priorities List Superfund site proximity; 2
290	288
291		-	(vi) ~~Traffic~~ proximity; 3
	289	+	(ix) Risk Management Plan facility proximity; 3
292	290
293		-	(~~vii~~) ~~Lead paint indicator~~; 4
	291	+	(x) Hazardous waste proximity; 4
294	292
295		-	(~~viii~~) ~~National Priorities List Superfund site proximity~~; 5
	293	+	(xi) Wastewater discharge indicator; 5
296	294
297		-	(ix) ~~Risk Management Plan facility proximity~~; 6
	295	+	(xii) Proximity to a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO); 6
298	296
299		-	(x) ~~Hazardous waste proximity~~; 7
	297	+	(xiii) Percent of the population lacking broadband coverage; 7
300	298
301		-	(xi) ~~Wastewater discharge indicator~~; 8
	299	+	(xiv) Asthma emergency room discharges; 8
302	300
303		-	(~~xii~~) ~~Proximity to a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)~~; 9
	301	+	(xv) Myocardial infarction discharges; 9
304	302
305		-	(~~xiii~~) ~~Percent of the population lacking broadband coverage~~; 10
	303	+	(xvi) Low–birth–weight infants; 10
306	304
307		-	(~~xiv~~) ~~Asthma emergency room discharges~~; 11
	305	+	(xvii) Proximity to emitting power plants; 11
308	306
309		-	(xv) ~~Myocardial infarction discharges~~; 12
	307	+	(xviii) Proximity to a Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facility; 12
310	308
311		-	(~~xvi~~) ~~Low–birth–weight infants~~; 13
	309	+	(xix) Proximity to a brownfields site; 13
312	310
313		-	(~~xvii~~) Proximity to ~~emitting power plants;~~ 14
	311	+	(xx) Proximity to mining operations; and 14
314	312
315		-	(~~xviii~~) Proximity to a ~~Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) facility;~~ 15
	313	+	(xxi) Proximity to a hazardous waste landfill. 15
316	314
317		-	(xix) Proximity to a brownfields site; 16
	315	+	(8) “Underserved community” means any census tract in which, according 16
	316	+	to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Survey: 17
318	317
319		-	(xx) ~~Proximity to mining operations~~; ~~and 17~~
	318	+	(i) At least 25% of the residents qualify as low–income; 18
320	319
321		-	(~~xxi~~) ~~Proximity to a hazardous waste landfill.~~ 18
	320	+	(ii) At least 50% of the residents identify as nonwhite; or 19
322	321
323		-	(8) “Underserved community” means any census tract in which, according 19
324		-	to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Survey: 20
	322	+	(iii) At least 15% of the residents have limited English proficiency. 20
325	323
326		-	~~(i) At least 25% of the residents qualify as low~~–~~income;~~ 21
	324	+	9–201. 21
327	325
328		-	(ii) ~~At least 50% of~~ the ~~residents identify as nonwhite;~~ or 22
	326	+	(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 22
329	327
330		-	(~~iii~~) ~~At least 15%~~ ~~of the residents have limited English proficiency.~~ 23
	328	+	(e) “Refuse disposal system” includes: 23
331	329
332		-	~~9–201.~~ 24
	330	+	(1) An incinerator; 24
333	331		8 HOUSE BILL 42
334	332
335	333
336		-	(a) ~~In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.~~ 1
	334	+	(2) A transfer station; 1
337	335
338		-	(e) ~~“Refuse disposal~~ system~~” includes:~~ 2
	336	+	(3) A landfill system; 2
339	337
340		-	(1) ~~An incinerator~~; 3
	338	+	(4) A landfill; 3
341	339
342		-	(2) A ~~transfer station~~; 4
	340	+	(5) A solid waste processing facility; and 4
343	341
344		-	(3) ~~A landfill system;~~ 5
	342	+	(6) Any other solid waste acceptance facility. 5
345	343
346		-	~~(4) A landfill;~~ 6
	344	+	9–1725.1. 6
347	345
348		-	(5) A solid waste processing facility; and 7
	346	+	(A) IN THIS SECTION , “REFUSE DISPOSAL SYST EM” HAS THE MEANING 7
	347	+	STATED IN § 9–201 OF THIS TITLE. 8
349	348
350		-	(6) Any other solid waste acceptance facility. 8
	349	+	(B) (1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026, THERE IS A SOLID WASTE DIS POSAL 9
	350	+	SURCHARGE ON THE FIN AL DISPOSAL OF SOLID WA STE IN REFUSE DISPOS AL 10
	351	+	SYSTEMS IN THE STATE. 11
351	352
352		-	9–1725.1. 9
	353	+	(2) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE SOLID 12
	354	+	WASTE DISPOSAL SURCH ARGE IS $2 PER TON OF SOLID WA STE PROCESSED BY A 13
	355	+	REFUSE DISPOSAL SYST EM FOR FINAL DISPOSA L. 14
353	356
354		-	(A) ~~IN THIS SECTION~~ , ~~“REFUSE DISPOSAL SYST EM” HAS THE MEANING 10~~
355		-	~~STATED IN § 9–201 OF THIS TITLE. 11~~
	357	+	(3) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2028, AND EVERY 2 YEARS THEREAFTER , 15
	358	+	THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 16
356	359
357		-	(B) ~~(1) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2026, THERE IS A~~ SOLID ~~WAS TE~~ DISPOSAL 12
358		-	~~SURCHARGE ON~~ THE ~~FIN AL DISPOSAL OF SOLID WA STE IN REFUSE DISPOS AL 13~~
359		-	~~SYSTEMS IN THE STATE. 14~~
	360	+	(I) ADJUST THE SOLID WAST E DISPOSAL SURCHARGE IN 17
	361	+	ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE MID–ATLANTIC 18
	362	+	DIVISION; AND 19
360	363
361		-	(2) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (3) OF THIS SUBSECTION , THE SOLID 15
362		-	WASTE DISPOSAL SURCH ARGE IS $2 PER TON OF SOLID WAS TE PROCESSED B Y A 16
363		-	REFUSE DISPOSAL SYST EM FOR FINAL DISPOSA L. 17
	364	+	(II) EVALUATE THE SOLID WA STE DISPOSAL SURCHAR GE TO 20
	365	+	DETERMINE IF ADDITIO NAL ADJUSTMENTS TO T HE SURCHARGE ARE REQ UIRED. 21
364	366
365		-	(3) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2028, AND EVERY 2 YEARS THEREAFTER , 18
366		-	THE DEPARTMENT SHALL : 19
	367	+	(4) IF THE SURCHARGE HAS BEEN ASSESSED ON AN ELIGIBLE OWNER 22
	368	+	OR OPERATOR OF A TRA NSFER STATION , THE SOLID WAST E DISPOSAL SURCHARGE 23
	369	+	MAY NOT BE ASSESSED ON AN OWNER OR OPERA TOR OF A REFUSE DISP OSAL SYSTEM 24
	370	+	THAT RECEIVES THE SO LID WASTE FOR FINAL DISPOSAL. 25
367	371
368		-	(I) ADJUST THE SOLID WAST E DISPOSAL SURCHARGE IN 20
369		-	ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR THE MID–ATLANTIC 21
370		-	DIVISION; AND 22
	372	+	(5) AN OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A REFUSE DISPOSAL SYSTEM SHALL 26
	373	+	COLLECT THE SURCHARG E REQUIRED UNDER THI S SECTION BY INCLUDING THE 27
	374	+	SURCHARGE AMOUNT DUE AS A SEPARATE LINE I TEM ON EVERY CUSTOME R BILL 28
	375	+	PRESENTED TO A SOLID WASTE COLLECTOR OR G ENERATOR. 29
371	376
372		-	(II) EVALUATE THE SOLID WA STE DISPOSAL SURCHAR GE TO 23
373		-	DETERMINE IF ADDITIO NAL ADJUSTMENTS TO T HE SURCHARGE ARE REQ UIRED. 24
374		-
375		-	(4) IF THE SURCHARGE HAS BEEN ASSESSED ON AN ELIGIBLE OWNER 25
376		-	OR OPERATOR OF A TRA NSFER STATION , THE SOLID WASTE DISP OSAL SURCHARGE 26
377		-	MAY NOT BE ASSESSED ON AN OWNER OR OPERA TOR OF A REFUSE DISP OSAL SYSTEM 27
378		-	THAT RECEIVES THE SO LID WASTE FOR FINAL DISPOSAL. 28
379		-	HOUSE BILL 42 9
	377	+	(6) A SOLID WASTE HAULER O R COLLECTOR MAY COLL ECT RATES, 30
	378	+	FEES, OR SURCHARGES FROM S OLID WASTE GENERATOR S SERVICED BY THE SOLID 31 HOUSE BILL 42 9
380	379
381	380
382		-	(5) AN OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A REFUSE DISPOSAL SYSTEM SHALL 1
383		-	COLLECT THE SURCHARG E REQUIRED UNDER THI S SECTION BY INCLUDING THE 2
384		-	SURCHARGE AMOUNT DUE AS A SEPARATE LINE I TEM ON EVERY CUSTOME R BILL 3
385		-	PRESENTED TO A SOLID WASTE COLLECTOR OR G ENERATOR. 4
	381	+	WASTE HAULER OR COLL ECTOR IN AN AMOUNT S UFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE 1
	382	+	SURCHARGE COLLECTED BY THE OWNER OR OPER ATOR OF A REFUSE DIS POSAL 2
	383	+	SYSTEM. 3
386	384
387		-	(6) A SOLID WASTE HAULER O R COLLECTOR MAY COLL ECT RATES, 5
388		-	FEES, OR SURCHARGES FROM S OLID WASTE GENERATOR S SERVICED BY THE SOLID 6
389		-	WASTE HAULER OR COLL ECTOR IN AN AMOUNT S UFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE 7
390		-	SURCHARGE COLLECTED BY THE OWNER OR OPER ATOR OF A REFUSE DIS POSAL 8
391		-	SYSTEM. 9
	385	+	(C) (1) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL COLLECT THE SU RCHARGE ASSESSED 4
	386	+	UNDER THIS SECTION A ND DEPOSIT THE SURCH ARGE INTO THE WASTED FOOD 5
	387	+	REDUCTION AND DIVERSION FUND UNDER § 9–1725.2 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 6
392	388
393		-	(C) (1) THE COMPTROLLER SHALL COL LECT THE SURCHARGE A SSESSED 10
394		-	UNDER THIS SECTION A ND DEPOSIT THE SURCH ARGE INTO THE WASTED FOOD 11
395		-	REDUCTION AND DIVERSION FUND UNDER § 9–1725.2 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 12
	389	+	(2) (I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, AND EVERY QUARTER 7
	390	+	THEREAFTER , THE OWNER OR OPERATO R OF A REFUSE DISPOSAL SYST EM IN THE 8
	391	+	STATE SHALL SUBMIT , UNDER OATH , THE SUM OF SURCHARGES COLLECTED IN THE 9
	392	+	IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G QUARTER TO THE COMPTROLLER . 10
396	393
397		-	(2) (I) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, AND EVERY QUARTER 13
398		-	THEREAFTER , THE OWNER OR OPERATO R OF A REFUSE DISPOSAL SYST EM IN THE 14
399		-	STATE SHALL SUBMIT , UNDER OATH , THE SUM OF SURCHARGES COLLECTED IN THE 15
400		-	IMMEDIATELY PRECEDIN G QUARTER TO THE COMPTROLLER . 16
	394	+	(II) IN ADDITION TO THE SU RCHARGES SUBMITTED T O THE 11
	395	+	COMPTROLLER UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE OWNER OR 12
	396	+	OPERATOR OF A REFUSE DISPOSAL SYSTEM SHAL L SUBMIT, AS APPLICABLE , AN 13
	397	+	ACCOUNTING OF THE NU MBER OF TONS OF SOLI D WASTE ACCEPTED FOR DISPOSAL, 14
	398	+	TRANSFER, OR COLLECTION DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD . 15
401	399
402		-	(II) IN ADDITION TO THE SU RCHARGES SUBMITTED T O THE 17
403		-	COMPTROLLER UNDER SUB PARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH , THE OWNER OR 18
404		-	OPERATOR OF A REFUSE DISPOSAL SYSTEM SHAL L SUBMIT, AS APPLICABLE, AN 19
405		-	ACCOUNTING OF THE NU MBER OF TONS OF SOLI D WASTE ACCEPTED FOR DISPOSAL, 20
406		-	TRANSFER, OR COLLECTION DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD . 21
	400	+	9–1725.2. 16
407	401
408		-	9–1725.2. 22
	402	+	(A) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 17
	403	+	DIVERSION FUND. 18
409	404
410		-	(A) IN THIS SECTION, “FUND” MEANS THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 23
411		-	DIVERSION FUND. 24
	405	+	(B) THERE IS A WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND DIVERSION FUND. 19
412	406
413		-	(B) THERE IS A WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND DIVERSION FUND. 25
	407	+	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO FUND ELIGI BLE PROJECTS UNDER 20
	408	+	THE ON–FARM ORGANICS DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM 21
	409	+	ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2–109 OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE, THE WASTED FOOD 22
	410	+	REDUCTION AND DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 23
	411	+	9–1725.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE , AND THE COUNTY WASTED FOOD REDUCTION BLOCK 24
	412	+	GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 9–1725.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 25
414	413
415		-	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE FUND IS TO FUND ELIGI BLE PROJECTS UNDER 26
416		-	THE ON–FARM ORGANICS DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM 27
417		-	ESTABLISHED UNDER § 2–109 OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE, THE WASTED FOOD 28
418		-	REDUCTION AND DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 29
419		-	9–1725.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE , AND THE COUNTY WASTED FOOD REDUCTION BLOCK 30
420		-	GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED U NDER § 9–1725.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 31
	414	+	(D) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND. 26
421	415
422		-	(D) THE SECRETARY SHALL ADMIN ISTER THE FUND. 32
	416	+	(E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 27
	417	+	SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 28
423	418
424		-	(E) (1) THE FUND IS A SPECIAL , NONLAPSING FUND THAT IS NOT 33
425		-	SUBJECT TO § 7–302 OF THE STATE FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT ARTICLE. 34 10 HOUSE BILL 42
	419	+	(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 29
	420	+	AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 30
	421	+
	422	+	(F) THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 31
	423	+	10 HOUSE BILL 42
426	424
427	425
	426	+	(1) REVENUE DISTRIBUTED T O THE FUND UNDER § 9–1725.1 OF THIS 1
	427	+	SUBTITLE; 2
428	428
429		-	(2) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL HOLD THE FUND SEPARATELY , 1
430		-	AND THE COMPTROLLER SHALL ACC OUNT FOR THE FUND. 2
	429	+	(2) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 3
431	430
432		-	(F) ~~THE FUND CONSISTS OF : 3~~
	431	+	(3) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 4
433	432
434		-	(1) ~~REVENUE DISTRIBUTED T O THE FUND UNDER § 9–1725.1 OF THIS 4~~
435		-	~~SUBTITLE; 5~~
	433	+	(4) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 5
	434	+	THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 6
436	435
437		-	(2) MONEY APPROPRIATED IN THE STATE BUDGET TO THE FUND; 6
	436	+	(G) (1) (I) NOT MORE THAN 25% OF THE FUND MAY BE USED FOR 7
	437	+	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES JOINTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT 8
	438	+	OF AGRICULTURE EACH FISC AL YEAR. 9
438	439
439		-	(3) INTEREST EARNINGS ; AND 7
	440	+	(II) NOT MORE THAN 0.5% OF THE FUND MAY BE USED FOR 10
	441	+	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES BY THE COMPTROLLER EACH FISC AL YEAR. 11
440	442
441		-	(4) ANY OTHER MONEY FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE ACC EPTED FOR 8
442		-	THE BENEFIT OF THE FUND. 9
	443	+	(2) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, AND EACH JULY 1 THEREAFTER , THE 12
	444	+	COMPTROLLER SHALL TRA NSFER THE REMAINING MONEY FROM THE FUND AFTER 13
	445	+	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A S 14
	446	+	FOLLOWS: 15
443	447
444		-	(G) (1) (I) NOT MORE THAN 25% OF THE FUND MAY B E USED FOR 10
445		-	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES JOINTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT 11
446		-	OF AGRICULTURE EACH FISC AL YEAR. 12
	448	+	(I) 25% TO THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND DIVERSION 16
	449	+	GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1725.3 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 17
447	450
448		-	(II) NOT MORE THAN 0.5% OF THE FUND MAY BE USED FOR 13
449		-	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES BY THE COMPTROLLER EACH FISC AL YEAR. 14
	451	+	(II) 25% TO THE ON–FARM ORGANICS DIVERSION AND 18
	452	+	RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 2–109 OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE; 19
	453	+	AND 20
450	454
451		-	(2) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, AND EACH JULY 1 THEREAFTER , THE 15
452		-	COMPTROLLER SHALL TRA NSFER THE REMAINING MONEY FROM THE FUND AFTER 16
453		-	ADMINISTRATIVE EXPEN SES UNDER PARAGRAPH (1) OF THIS SUBSECTION A S 17
454		-	FOLLOWS: 18
	455	+	(III) 50% TO THE COUNTY WASTED FOOD REDUCTION BLOCK 21
	456	+	GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1725.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE. 22
455	457
456		-	(I) ~~25% TO~~ THE ~~WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND DIVERSION 19~~
457		-	~~GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1725~~.~~3 OF THIS SUBTITLE; 20~~
	458	+	(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 23
	459	+	IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 24
458	460
459		-	(II) 25% TO THE ON–FARM ORGANICS DIVERSION AND 21
460		-	RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 2–109 OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE; 22
461		-	AND 23
	461	+	(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 25
	462	+	THE FUND. 26
462	463
463		-	(~~III~~) ~~50% TO~~ THE ~~COUNTY WASTED FOOD REDUCTION BLOCK 24~~
464		-	~~GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 9–1725.4 OF THIS SUBTITLE~~. 25
	464	+	(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ON LY IN ACCORDANCE 27
	465	+	WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 28
465	466
466		-	(H) (1) THE STATE TREASURER SHALL INVES T THE MONEY OF THE FUND 26
467		-	IN THE SAME MANNER A S OTHER STATE MONEY MAY BE IN VESTED. 27
468		-
469		-	(2) ANY INTEREST EARNINGS OF THE FUND SHALL BE CREDITE D TO 28
470		-	THE FUND. 29
471		-	HOUSE BILL 42 11
	467	+	(J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR THE WASTED FOOD 29
	468	+	REDUCTION AND DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM, THE ON–FARM ORGANICS 30
	469	+	DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM, AND THE COUNTY WASTED FOOD 31 HOUSE BILL 42 11
472	470
473	471
474		-	(I) EXPENDITURES FROM THE FUND MAY BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE 1
475		-	WITH THE STATE BUDGET . 2
	472	+	REDUCTION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM IS SUPPLEMENTAL TO A ND IS NOT INTENDED 1
	473	+	TO TAKE THE PLACE OF FUNDING THAT OTHERWI SE WOULD BE APPROPRI ATED FOR 2
	474	+	THOSE PROGRAMS . 3
476	475
477		-	(J) MONEY EXPENDED FROM T HE FUND FOR THE WASTED FOOD 3
478		-	REDUCTION AND DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM, THE ON–FARM ORGANICS 4
479		-	DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM, AND THE COUNTY WASTED FOOD 5
480		-	REDUCTION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM IS SUPPLEMENT AL TO AND IS NOT INTENDED 6
481		-	TO TAKE THE PLACE OF FUNDING THAT OTHERWI SE WOULD BE APPROPRI ATED FOR 7
482		-	THOSE PROGRAMS . 8
	476	+	9–1725.3. 4
483	477
484		-	9–1725.3. 9
	478	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 5
	479	+	INDICATED. 6
485	480
486		-	(A) ~~(1) IN THIS SECTION~~ THE ~~F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 10~~
487		-	~~INDICATED~~. 11
	481	+	(2) “GRANT PROGRAM” MEANS THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 7
	482	+	DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM. 8
488	483
489		-	(2) “~~GRANT PROGRAM~~” ~~MEANS~~ THE ~~WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 12~~
490		-	~~DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM~~. 13
	484	+	(3) “OVERBURDENED COMMUNIT Y” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 9
	485	+	1–701 OF THIS ARTICLE. 10
491	486
492		-	(3) “~~OVERBURDENED COMMUNIT Y~~” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 14
493		-	1–701 OF THIS ARTICLE. 15
	487	+	(4) “UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 11
	488	+	1–701 OF THIS ARTICLE. 12
494	489
495		-	(4) “~~UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY~~ ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED ~~IN § 16~~
496		-	1–~~701~~ OF ~~THIS~~ ARTICLE. 17
	490	+	(5) “URBAN AGRICULTURAL PR ODUCER” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 13
	491	+	IN § 2–2001 OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 14
497	492
498		-	(5) “URBAN ~~AGRICULTURAL PR ODUCER~~” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 18
499		-	~~IN § 2–2001 OF THE~~ AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 19
	493	+	(6) “URBAN FARMER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–401 OF THE 15
	494	+	AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 16
500	495
501		-	(6) ~~“URBAN FARMER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–401 OF THE 20~~
502		-	~~AGRICULTURE ARTICLE~~. 21
	496	+	(B) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, THERE IS A WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 17
	497	+	DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 18
503	498
504		-	(B) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, THERE IS A WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND 22
505		-	DIVERSION GRANT PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 23
	499	+	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO AWARD G RANTS 19
	500	+	ANNUALLY FOR INFRAST RUCTURE, PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATION THAT R EDUCE, 20
	501	+	RESCUE, AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD IN THE STATE. 21
506	502
507		-	(C) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO AWARD G RANTS 24
508		-	ANNUALLY FOR INFRAST RUCTURE, PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATION THAT R EDUCE, 25
509		-	RESCUE, AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD IN THE STATE. 26
	503	+	(D) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF 22
	504	+	AGRICULTURE , SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM. 23
510	505
511		-	(D) THE ~~DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH~~ THE ~~DEPARTMENT OF 27~~
512		-	~~AGRICULTURE , SHALL ADMINISTER THE~~ GRANT PROGRAM~~. 28~~
	506	+	(E) THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A G RANT UNDER THE 24
	507	+	GRANT PROGRAM: 25
513	508
514		-	(E) THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A G RANT UNDER THE 29
515		-	GRANT PROGRAM: 30
	509	+	(1) A UNIT OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT; 26
516	510
517		-	(1) A UNIT OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERN MENT; 31 12 HOUSE BILL 42
	511	+	(2) A LOCAL EDUCATION AGEN CY; 27
	512	+
	513	+	(3) AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION AS DEFINED IN § 10–101 28
	514	+	OF THE EDUCATION ARTICLE; 29
	515	+	12 HOUSE BILL 42
518	516
519	517
	518	+	(4) A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATI ON; 1
520	519
521		-	(2) A LOCAL EDUCATION AGEN CY; 1
	520	+	(5) A FARMER, AN URBAN FARMER, OR AN URBAN AGRICULTURAL 2
	521	+	PRODUCER; 3
522	522
523		-	(3) ~~AN INSTITUTION OF HIG HER EDUCATION AS DEF INED~~ IN ~~§ 10–101 2~~
524		-	OF ~~THE EDUCATION ARTICLE~~; 3
	523	+	(6) A BUSINESS IN THE STATE THAT IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE 4
	524	+	STATE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION; AND 5
525	525
526		-	(4) A ~~NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ; 4~~
	526	+	(7) A CONSORTIUM OF ANY EN TITIES UNDER THIS SU BSECTION. 6
527	527
528		-	(5) A FARMER, AN URBAN FARMER , OR AN URBAN AGRICULT URAL 5
529		-	PRODUCER; 6
	528	+	(F) A PROJECT IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER TH E GRANT PROGRAM IF 7
	529	+	THE PROJECT DEVELOPS , MAINTAINS, OR EXPANDS INFRASTRU CTURE, COLLECTION 8
	530	+	PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, OR TECHNICAL ASSISTA NCE IN THE STATE THAT: 9
530	531
531		-	(6) A BUSINESS IN THE STATE THAT IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE 7
532		-	STATE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENTS AND TAXATION; AND 8
	532	+	(1) REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF WASTED FOOD GENERATE D; 10
533	533
534		-	(7) ~~A CONSORTIUM~~ OF ~~ANY EN TITIES UNDER THIS SU BSECTION. 9~~
	534	+	(2) RESCUES EDIBLE FOOD F OR PURPOSES OF REDIS TRIBUTION; 11
535	535
536		-	(F) ~~A PROJECT IS ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER~~ TH E ~~GRANT PROGRAM IF 10~~
537		-	~~THE PROJECT DEVELOPS , MAINTAINS,~~ ~~OR EXPANDS INFRASTRU CTURE,~~ ~~COLLECTION 11~~
538		-	~~PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, OR TECHNICAL ASSISTA NCE IN~~ THE ~~STATE THAT:~~ 12
	536	+	(3) RECOVERS WASTED FOOD AS ANIMAL FEED IF TH E FEED IS 12
	537	+	REGISTERED AND TREAT ED IN ACCORDANCE WIT H REGULATIONS IMPLEM ENTED BY 13
	538	+	THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ; 14
539	539
540		-	(1) REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF WASTED FOOD GENERAT ED; 13
	540	+	(4) COMPOSTS OR RECYCLES FOOD RESIDUALS THAT ARE 15
	541	+	SEPARATED FROM PACKA GING PRIOR TO COLLEC TION, INCLUDING 16
	542	+	AT–HOME, COMMUNITY , AND ON–FARM COMPOSTING ; OR 17
541	543
542		-	(2) RESCUES EDIBLE FOOD F OR PURPOSES OF REDIS TRIBUTION; 14
	544	+	(5) TRANSITIONS FROM SING LE–USE FOOD SERVICEWARE TO 18
	545	+	DURABLE AND REUSABLE FOOD SERVICEWARE . 19
543	546
544		-	(3) ~~RECOVERS WASTED FOOD AS ANIMAL FEED IF TH E FEED IS 15~~
545		-	~~REGISTERED AND TREAT ED~~ IN ~~ACCORDANCE WIT H REGULATIONS IMPLEM ENTED BY 16~~
546		-	~~THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ; 17~~
	547	+	(G) IN AWARDING GRANTS UN DER THE GRANT PROGRAM, THE 20
	548	+	DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE , 21
	549	+	SHALL PRIORITIZE PRO JECTS: 22
547	550
548		-	(4) COMPOSTS OR RECYCLES FOOD RE SIDUALS THAT ARE 18
549		-	SEPARATED FROM PACKA GING PRIOR TO COLLEC TION, INCLUDING 19
550		-	AT–HOME, COMMUNITY , AND ON–FARM COMPOSTING ; OR 20
	551	+	(1) FOR WHICH THE AP PLICANT CLEARLY DESC RIBES HOW THE 23
	552	+	PROJECT WILL: 24
551	553
552		-	(5) ~~TRANSITIONS FROM SING LE–USE FOOD SERVICEWARE TO 21~~
553		-	~~DURABLE~~ AND ~~REUSABLE FOOD SERVICEWARE . 22~~
	554	+	(I) PROVIDE DIRECT , MEANINGFUL , AND ASSURED BENEFITS 25
	555	+	TO THE COMMUNITY ; AND 26
554	556
555		-	(G) IN AWARDING GRANTS UN DER THE GRANT PROGRAM, THE 23
556		-	DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE , 24
557		-	SHALL PRIORITIZE PRO JECTS: 25
	557	+	(II) ADDRESS IMPORTANT COM MUNITY NEEDS ; 27
558	558
559		-	(1) FOR WHICH THE APPLICA NT CLEARLY DESCRIBES HOW THE 26
560		-	PROJECT WILL: 27
561		-
562		-	(I) PROVIDE DIRECT , MEANINGFUL , AND ASSURED BENEFITS 28
563		-	TO THE COMMUNITY ; AND 29
	559	+	(2) THAT PREVENT , RESCUE, AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD WITHIN A 28
	560	+	LOCAL COMMUNITY ; 29
564	561		HOUSE BILL 42 13
565	562
566	563
567		-	(II) ADDRESS IMPORTANT COM MUNITY NEEDS ; 1
	564	+	(3) THAT PLAN TO PRODUCE COMPOST THAT MEETS T HE 1
	565	+	CLASSIFICATION OF “GENERAL USE ” UNDER COMAR 15.18.04.05; 2
568	566
569		-	(2) THAT ~~PREVENT , RESCUE,~~ ~~AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD WITHIN A 2~~
570		-	~~LOCAL COMMUNITY ; 3~~
	567	+	(4) THAT PLAN TO PRODUCE MINIMALLY CONTAMINAT ED COMPOST 3
	568	+	THROUGH: 4
571	569
572		-	(3) THAT ~~PLAN TO PRODUCE COMPOST THAT MEETS T HE 4~~
573		-	~~CLASSIFICATION OF “GENERAL~~ ~~USE ” UNDER COMAR 15.18.04.05~~; 5
	570	+	(I) PROCESSING ORGANIC MATERIALS THAT ARE SEPARATED 5
	571	+	FROM PACKAGING PRIOR TO COLLECTION ; 6
574	572
575		-	(4) THAT PLAN TO PRODUCE MINIMALLY CO NTAMINATED COMPOST 6
576		-	THROUGH: 7
	573	+	(II) NOT USING DEPACKAGERS ; AND 7
577	574
578		-	(I) ~~PROCESSING ORGANIC MA TERIALS THAT ARE SEP ARATED~~ 8
579		-	~~FROM PACKAGING PRIOR TO COLLECTION ;~~ 9
	575	+	(III) MEETING THE U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL’S SEAL OF 8
	576	+	TESTING ASSURANCE; 9
580	577
581		-	(II) ~~NOT USING DEPACKAGERS~~ ; ~~AND~~ 10
	578	+	(5) THAT SERVE AN OVERBUR DENED OR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY ; 10
582	579
583		-	(~~III~~) ~~MEETING~~ THE ~~U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL’S SEAL OF~~ 11
584		-	~~TESTING ASSURANCE;~~ 12
	580	+	(6) THAT MINIMIZE NEGATIV E IMPACTS TO THE LOC AL COMMUNITY ; 11
	581	+	AND 12
585	582
586		-	(5) THAT SERVE AN OVERBUR DENED OR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY ; 13
	583	+	(7) THAT MAXIMIZE BENEFIT S TO THE LOCAL COMMU NITY, 13
	584	+	INCLUDING: 14
587	585
588		-	(6) THAT MINIMIZE NEGATIV E IMPACTS TO THE LOC AL COMMUNITY ; 14
589		-	AND 15
	586	+	(I) THE CREATION OF JOBS ; 15
590	587
591		-	(7) THAT MAXIMIZE BENEFIT S TO THE LOCAL COMMU NITY, 16
592		-	INCLUDING: 17
	588	+	(II) INCREASING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 16
593	589
594		-	(I) THE CREATION OF JOBS ; 18
	590	+	(III) INCREASING HIRING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPME NT 17
	591	+	PRACTICES THAT ARE INCLUSIV E AND PROVIDE A LIVI NG WAGE. 18
595	592
596		-	(II) INCREASING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 19
	593	+	(H) AN ELIGIBLE PERSON TH AT RECEIVES A GRANT UNDER THE GRANT 19
	594	+	PROGRAM MAY NOT RECEI VE A GRANT UNDER THE ON–FARM ORGANICS 20
	595	+	DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 2–109 OF THE 21
	596	+	AGRICULTURE ARTICLE IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR . 22
597	597
598		-	(~~III~~) ~~INCREASING HIRING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPME NT 20~~
599		-	~~PRACTICES THAT ARE I NCLUSIVE AND PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE~~. 21
	598	+	(I) (1) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT 23
	599	+	OF AGRICULTURE , SHALL ADOPT REGULATI ONS TO IMPLEMENT THI S SECTION. 24
600	600
601		-	(H) AN ELIGIBLE PERSON TH AT RECEIVES A GRANT UNDER THE GRANT 22
602		-	PROGRAM MAY NOT RECEI VE A GRANT UNDER THE ON–FARM ORGANICS 23
603		-	DIVERSION AND RECYCLING GRANT PROGRAM UNDER § 2–109 OF THE 24
604		-	AGRICULTURE ARTICLE IN THE SAME C ALENDAR YEAR . 25
	601	+	(2) REGULATIONS ADOPTED U NDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL 25
	602	+	INCLUDE: 26
605	603
606		-	(I) (1) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT 26
607		-	OF AGRICULTURE , SHALL ADOPT REGULATI ONS TO IMPLEMENT THI S SECTION. 27
608		-
609		-	(2) REGULATIONS ADOPTED U NDER THIS SUBSECTION SHALL 28
610		-	INCLUDE: 29
	604	+	(I) A SIMPLE COMMON APPLIC ATION PROCED URE; AND 27
611	605		14 HOUSE BILL 42
612	606
613	607
614		-	(I) A SIMPLE COMMON APPLIC ATION PROCEDURE ; AND 1
	608	+	(II) FOR ELIGIBLE ENTITIES , A PROCESS TO FACILIT ATE THE 1
	609	+	PARTICIPATION OF ELI GIBLE ENTITIES THAT HAVE LIMITED RESOURC ES OR 2
	610	+	LANGUAGE BARRIERS . 3
615	611
616		-	(II) ~~FOR ELIGIBLE ENTITIES~~ , ~~A PROCESS TO FACILIT ATE THE 2~~
617		-	~~PARTICIPATION OF ELI GIBLE ENTITIES THAT HAVE LIMITED RESOURC ES OR 3~~
618		-	~~LANGUAGE BARRIERS . 4~~
	612	+	(J) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027, AND EACH DECEMBER 31 4
	613	+	THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 5
	614	+	ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON: 6
619	615
620		-	(J) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2027, AND EACH DECEMBER 31 5
621		-	THEREAFTER , THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPO RT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 6
622		-	ACCORDANCE WITH § 2–1257 OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT ARTICLE, ON: 7
	616	+	(1) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF GRANTS AWARDED ; 7
623	617
624		-	(1) THE NUMBER AND TYPES OF GRANTS AWARDED ; 8
	618	+	(2) THE IMPACT OF THE GRA NTS ON THE CREATION OF JOBS AND 8
	619	+	OTHER BENEFITS TO TH E STATE; 9
625	620
626		-	(2) THE IMPACT ~~OF THE GRA NTS~~ ON ~~THE CREATION OF JOBS~~ AND 9
627		-	~~OTHER BENEFITS TO TH E STATE~~; 10
	621	+	(3) THE IMPACT ON WASTE PREVENTED , RESCUED, AND DIVERTED 10
	622	+	FROM DISPOSAL ; AND 11
628	623
629		-	(3) THE IMPACT ON ~~WASTE P REVENTED~~, ~~RESCUED~~, AND ~~DIVERTED 11~~
630		-	~~FROM DISPOSAL ; AND 12~~
	624	+	(4) THE IMPACT ON FARMERS , URBAN FARMERS , AND URBAN 12
	625	+	AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE RS IN THE STATE. 13
631	626
632		-	(4) THE IMPACT ON FARMERS , URBAN FARMERS , AND URBAN 13
633		-	AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE RS IN THE STATE. 14
	627	+	9–1725.4. 14
634	628
635		-	9–1725.4. 9–1725.2. 15
	629	+	(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 15
	630	+	INDICATED. 16
636	631
637		-	(A) ~~(1) IN THIS SECTION~~ THE ~~F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 16~~
638		-	~~INDICATED~~. 17
	632	+	(2) “GRANT PROGRAM” MEANS THE COUNTY WASTED FOOD 17
	633	+	REDUCTION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM. 18
639	634
640		-	(2) “~~GRANT PROGRAM~~” ~~MEANS~~ THE ~~COUNTY WASTED FOOD 18~~
641		-	~~REDUCTION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM~~. 19
	635	+	(3) “OVERBURDENED COMMUNIT Y” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 19
	636	+	1–701 OF THIS ARTICLE. 20
642	637
643		-	(3) “~~OVERBURDENED COMMUNIT Y~~” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 20
644		-	1–701 OF THIS ARTICLE. 21
	638	+	(4) “UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 21
	639	+	1–701 OF THIS ARTICLE. 22
645	640
646		-	(4) “~~UNDERSERVED COMM UNITY~~” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED ~~IN § 22~~
647		-	1–~~701~~ OF ~~THIS~~ ARTICLE. 23
	641	+	(5) “URBAN AGRICULTURAL PR ODUCER” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 23
	642	+	IN § 2–2001 OF THE AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 24
648	643
649		-	(5) “URBAN ~~AGRICULTURAL PR ODUCER~~” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED 24
650		-	~~IN § 2–2001 OF THE~~ AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 25
	644	+	(6) “URBAN FARMER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–401 OF THE 25
	645	+	AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 26
651	646
652		-	(6) “URBAN FARMER ” HAS THE MEANING STAT ED IN § 2–401 OF THE 26
653		-	AGRICULTURE ARTICLE. 27
654		-
655		-	(B) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, THERE IS A COUNTY WASTED FOOD 28
656		-	REDUCTION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 29
	647	+	(B) BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, THERE IS A COUNTY WASTED FOOD 27
	648	+	REDUCTION BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM IN THE DEPARTMENT . 28
657	649		HOUSE BILL 42 15
658	650
659	651
660	652		(C) (1) THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT PROGRAM IS TO AWARD G RANTS TO 1
661	653		COUNTIES ANNUALLY IN AMOUNTS PROPORTIO NAL TO EACH COUNTY’S 2
662	654		POPULATION . 3
663	655
664	656		(2) FUNDS RECEIVED BY A COUNTY UNDER THIS SUBSECTIO N SHALL 4
665	657		FUND PROJECTS TO DEVELOP , MAINTAIN, OR EXPAND INFRASTRUCTURE , 5
666	658		PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATION THAT R EDUCE, RESCUE, AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD IN 6
667	659		THE COUNTY. 7
668	660
669	661		(D) THE DEPARTMENT , IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF 8
670	662		AGRICULTURE , SHALL ADMINISTER THE GRANT PROGRAM. 9
671	663
672	664		(E) IN FUNDING PROJECTS UNDER THE GRANT PROGRAM, A COUNTY SHALL 10
673	665		PRIORITIZE PROJECTS THAT: 11
674	666
675	667		(1) PROVIDE DIRECT , MEANINGFUL , AND ASSURED BENEFITS TO THE 12
676	668		COMMUNITY ; 13
677	669
678	670		(2) ADDRESS IMPORTANT COM MUNITY NEEDS ; 14
679	671
680	672		(3) PREVENT, RESCUE, AND DIVERT WASTED FO OD WITHIN A LOCAL 15
681	673		COMMUNITY ; 16
682	674
683	675		(4) PLAN TO PRODUCE COMPOST THAT MEETS THE CLASSIFICA TION 17
684	676		OF “GENERAL USE ” UNDER COMAR 15.18.04.05; 18
685	677
686	678		(5) PLAN TO PRODUCE MINIM ALLY CONTAMINATED CO MPOST 19
687	679		THROUGH: 20
688	680
689	681		(I) PROCESSING ORGANIC MA TERIALS THAT ARE SEP ARATED 21
690	682		FROM PACKAGING PRIOR TO COLLECTION ; 22
691	683
692	684		(II) NOT USING DEPACKAGERS ; AND 23
693	685
694	686		(III) MEETING THE U.S. COMPOSTING COUNCIL’S SEAL OF 24
695	687		TESTING ASSURANCE; 25
696	688
697	689		(6) SERVE AN OVERBURDENED OR UNDERSERVED COMMU NITY; 26
698	690
699	691		(7) MINIMIZE NEGATIVE IMP ACTS TO THE LOCAL CO MMUNITY; AND 27
700	692
701	693		(8) MAXIMIZE BENEFITS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY , INCLUDING: 28
702		-
703		-	(I) THE CREATION OF JOBS ; 29
704	694		16 HOUSE BILL 42
705	695
706	696
707		-	(II) ~~INCREASING JOB TRAINI NG~~; ~~AND~~ 1
	697	+	(I) THE CREATION OF JOBS ; 1
708	698
709		-	(III) INCREASING HIRING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPME NT 2
710		-	PRACTICES THAT ARE INCLUSIVE AND PROVID E A LIVING WAGE. 3
	699	+	(II) INCREASING JOB TRAINI NG; AND 2
711	700
712		-	Article – State Finance and Procurement 4
	701	+	(III) INCREASING HIRING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPME NT 3
	702	+	PRACTICES THAT ARE I NCLUSIVE AND PROVIDE A LIVING WAGE. 4
713	703
714		-	6–~~226.~~ 5
	704	+	Article – State Finance and Procurement 5
715	705
716		-	(a) (2) (i) 1. This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 6
717		-	through 2028. 7
	706	+	6–226. 6
718	707
719		-	2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 8
720		-	inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 9
721		-	terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 10
722		-	State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 11
723		-	receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 12
724		-	Fund of the State. 13
	708	+	(a) (2) (i) 1. This subparagraph does not apply in fiscal years 2024 7
	709	+	through 2028. 8
725	710
726		-	(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 14
727		-	to the following funds: 15
	711	+	2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and unless 9
	712	+	inconsistent with a federal law, grant agreement, or other federal requirement or with the 10
	713	+	terms of a gift or settlement agreement, net interest on all State money allocated by the 11
	714	+	State Treasurer under this section to special funds or accounts, and otherwise entitled to 12
	715	+	receive interest earnings, as accounted for by the Comptroller, shall accrue to the General 13
	716	+	Fund of the State. 14
728	717
729		-	~~204.~~ the ~~Victims~~ of ~~Domestic Violence Program Grant Fund;~~ 16
730		-	~~[and] 17~~
	718	+	(ii) The provisions of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph do not apply 15
	719	+	to the following funds: 16
731	720
732		-	205. the Proposed Programs Collaborative Grant Fund; AND 18
	721	+	204. the Victims of Domestic Violence Program Grant Fund; 17
	722	+	[and] 18
733	723
734		-	206. THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND DIVERSION 19
735		-	FUND. 20
	724	+	205. the Proposed Programs Collaborative Grant Fund; AND 19
736	725
737		-	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, notwithstanding any other 21
738		-	provision of law, the Governor may transfer $3,000,000 in fiscal years 2027 through 2031 22
739		-	from the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund established under § 9–20B–05 of the 23
740		-	State Government Article to each of the following programs, as enacted by Section 1 of this 24
741		-	Act: 25
	726	+	206. THE WASTED FOOD REDUCTION AND DIVERSION 20
	727	+	FUND. 21
742	728
743		-	~~(1) the On–Farm Organics Diversion~~ and ~~Recycling Grant Program under 26~~
744		-	~~§ 2–109 of the Agriculture Article; 27~~
	729	+	SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 22
	730	+	October 1, 2025. 23
745	731
746		-	(2) the Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Grant Program under § 28
747		-	9–1725.1 of the Environment Article; and 29
748		-
749		-	(3) the County Wasted Food Reduction Block Grant Program und er § 30
750		-	9–1725.2 of the Environment Article. 31
751		-	HOUSE BILL 42 17
752		-
753		-
754		-	SECTION 2. 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 1
755		-	October 1, 2025. 2
756		-
757		-
758		-
759		-	Approved:
760		-	________________________________________________________________________________
761		-	Governor.
762		-	________________________________________________________________________________
763		-	Speaker of the House of Delegates.
764		-	________________________________________________________________________________
765		-	President of the Senate.