The bill under consideration aims to regulate the sale of products labeled as biodegradable or compostable within the state. It mandates that no person may sell or offer for sale any product with such labels unless it meets third-party certification standards. Specifically, the product must be certified by an organization that adheres to the ASTM 6400 standard set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials, such as BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) or equivalent. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that there will be an increase in state expenditures due to the new responsibilities placed on the Department of Environmental Services to regulate the consumer marketplace for biodegradable items. This would require the creation of a Waste Management Specialist III position, with estimated costs of $60,000 for half a year in FY 2025, and increasing to $104,000 in FY 2026 and $108,000 in FY 2027. These costs are expected to be covered by the general funds, as the bill does not specify a funding source. Additionally, the Department may incur indeterminate costs to develop a database for tracking relevant products and compliance. The bill does not contain an appropriation nor does it authorize the establishment of a new position. It is also noted that the bill is not expected to impact state, county, or local revenue, nor local or county expenditures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 149-M:27