The bill appropriates funds for a study on critical materials in the waste stream, allocating an unspecified amount from the general fund to the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency for fiscal year 2027. The term "critical materials" is defined as those listed in the 2023 Critical Materials List published by the U.S. Secretary of Energy. The commissioner is required to submit the study results to relevant legislative committees by October 1, 2028.

The study will focus on three main areas: estimating the types and volumes of products containing critical materials entering Minnesota's economy, assessing the recovery of these materials through recycling and technological processes, and estimating the volume of such products present in the state's waste stream. This initiative aims to enhance understanding and management of critical materials, promoting sustainability and resource recovery in Minnesota.