The bill amends the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act, renaming it the "Recycling, Circular Economy and Illegal Dumping Act," to bolster New Mexico's circular economy and enhance environmental protections. It sets forth legislative purposes that include promoting sustainable recycling practices, fostering collaboration among stakeholders through a statewide alliance, and requiring the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt rules for proposed regulations with a decision on hearings to be made within sixty days. The bill also establishes new positions within the Department of Environment for a "recycling and waste reduction coordinator" and a "circular economy coordinator" to oversee the act's implementation.

Additionally, the bill creates a "recycling and illegal dumping fund" within the state treasury, funded by fees and penalties from the act, to support initiatives like abating illegal scrap tire dumpsites and promoting recycling. It ensures that any unspent balance in the fund at the end of the fiscal year will remain available for future use, rather than reverting to the general fund. The bill also empowers local governments and communities to contract for services to address illegal dumpsites, thereby enhancing local waste management efforts and aligning with the overarching goals of the act.

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