The bill amends the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act, renaming it the "Recycling, Circular Economy and Illegal Dumping Act," and aims to enhance the state's circular economy while improving environmental protections. It introduces new definitions related to recycling and circular economy concepts and mandates the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt rules for proposed regulations, requiring a decision on whether to hold a hearing within sixty days. The bill also establishes new positions within the Department of Environment, including a "recycling and waste reduction coordinator" and a "circular economy coordinator," to oversee the act's implementation. Furthermore, it creates a recycling, circular economy, and illegal dumping alliance to develop strategies for increasing recycling and reducing illegal dumping.

Additionally, the bill establishes the "recycling and illegal dumping fund" within the state treasury, funded by fees and penalties collected under the act, with the stipulation that any unexpended or unencumbered balance at the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the general fund. It prioritizes funding for the abatement of illegal scrap tire dumpsites and the recycling of scrap tires, while allowing municipalities, counties, Indian nations, pueblos, tribes, land grant communities, or cooperative associations to contract for services to carry out abatement actions. This provision aims to enhance local engagement in recycling efforts and illegal dumping remediation.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 74-13-1, 74-13-2, 74-13-3, 74-13-6, 74-13-7, 74-13-8, 74-13-10, 74-13-11, 74-13-13, 74-13-14, 74-13-15, 74-13-16, 74-13-17, 74-13-19
GE substitute: 74-13-1, 74-13-2, 74-13-3, 74-13-6, 74-13-7, 74-13-8, 74-13-10, 74-13-11, 74-13-13, 74-13-14, 74-13-15, 74-13-16, 74-13-17, 74-13-19
Final Version: 74-13-1, 74-13-2, 74-13-3, 74-13-6, 74-13-7, 74-13-8, 74-13-10, 74-13-11, 74-13-13, 74-13-14, 74-13-15, 39-3-1.1, 31-18-15, 74-13-19