The bill's implementation could result in substantial changes to state laws concerning waste management, public health, and environmental regulations. Grants awarded under this act will encourage eligible entities to formulate local plans that target food waste reduction through diverse methods, including prevention, food rescue, recycling, and upcycling of food. This anticipated shift not only aims to alleviate the environmental burden posed by food waste but also fosters community involvement by identifying specific local needs and directing resources towards underserved populations who are disproportionately affected by these issues.
Summary
House Bill 652, titled the 'Zero Food Waste Act,' aims to address the significant issue of food waste in the United States by establishing a competitive grant program designed to reduce food waste by 50% by the year 2030, relative to the levels of 2010. The bill seeks to empower eligible entities—such as local governments, territorial governments, Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations—to implement various food waste reduction strategies. By focusing on funding projects that prioritize prevention and innovative approaches to food waste management, the bill strives to promote sustainable practices and enhanced food security across communities.
Contention
As with any legislative measure, the Zero Food Waste Act may encounter opposition centered around the allocation of federal funding and the effectiveness of grant programs. Concerns may arise regarding the potential administrative burdens on local governments in applying for and managing these grants, as well as skepticism about the actual reduction in food waste levels within communities. Moreover, ensuring that the proposed activities especially benefit low-income and minority communities, as articulated in the bill, could spark debates over equity and resource allocation in environmental policy.
Advanced Aviation Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to redesignate the Office of NextGen as the Office of Advanced Aviation within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new office duties include the coordination of rulemaking and approval processes on matters relating to advanced aviation systems (e.g., drones, supersonic aircraft technologies, counter-unmanned aircraft systems). The bill also establishes an Office of Advanced Integration within the Office of Advanced Aviation. Additionally, DOT must establish an Advanced Aviation Coordination Unit within the FAA whose responsibilities shall include the promotion of the safe and responsible integration of advanced aviation systems into the national airspace system. Further, DOT must redesignate the William J. Hughes Technical Center as the William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aviation. The center must establish and manage a program to evaluate new aviation-related technologies proposed to be used in the national airspace system and facilitate the integration of such technologies into the national airspace system.