The bill amends the Recycling and Illegal Dumping Act, renaming it the "Recycling, Circular Economy and Illegal Dumping Act," to enhance New Mexico's circular economy and improve environmental protections. It establishes a statewide recycling and circular economy alliance that includes various stakeholders such as state and local governments, tribal governments, and private businesses to collaborate on sustainable resource use and recycling initiatives. The bill also creates positions for a recycling and waste reduction coordinator and a circular economy coordinator within the Department of Environment, and mandates the Environmental Improvement Board to adopt rules for implementing the act, including permit requirements for tire recycling facilities and public participation procedures.

Additionally, the bill establishes the "recycling and illegal dumping fund" within the state treasury, funded by fees and penalties collected under the act, to support initiatives like abating illegal scrap tire dumpsites and promoting recycling efforts. It ensures that any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year will not revert to the general fund, allowing for continued support of recycling and illegal dumping initiatives. The bill also permits local entities, including municipalities and tribes, to contract for services to address illegal dumping, thereby enhancing local waste management efforts and aligning with the act's overall goals.

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