The bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to enhance solid waste management and materials recovery facilities. It expands the definition of "solid waste" to include "digestate from an anaerobic digester" and clarifies that materials like food processing residuals and wood ashes can be applied to agricultural land. New obligations for owners or operators of materials utilization facilities are introduced, including maintaining cleanliness, recording materials, and ensuring that solid waste residuals do not exceed 15% of the total weight of materials received. Additionally, operational requirements for materials recovery and composting facilities are modified, mandating registration with the department and compliance with various operational standards.

The bill also establishes new regulations for composting facilities and anaerobic digesters, requiring registration and adherence to safety standards. Operators of medium class 1 and class 2 or large class 1 composting facilities must register with a fee of $750 for a five-year term. Specific operational requirements for anaerobic digesters are outlined, including quarterly testing of digestate and submission of a contingency plan. Furthermore, owners or operators managing more than 20% of off-site material must notify the department and register their operations, while certain digesters may be exempt from registration under specific criteria. The bill also amends the application process for general permit renewals, requiring applications to be submitted 90 days before expiration and changing the fee collection timeline from 10 to 15 days. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of House Bill No. 4257 from the 103rd Legislature.

Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 324.11506, 324.11568
Substitute (H-4): 324.11506, 324.11568
House Introduced Bill: 324.11506, 324.11568
As Passed by the House: 324.11506, 324.11568