HB 807
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
Third Reader - Revised
House Bill 807 (Delegate Love)
Environment and Transportation Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs
Task Force on Recycling Policy and Recycling and Waste Systems in Maryland
This bill establishes the Task Force on Recycling Policy and Recycling and Waste Systems
in Maryland to review the Maryland Recycling Act (MRA) and study the recycling and
waste systems in Maryland. The task force must make recommendations on how to update
MRA and the feasibility of implementing regional recycling and waste disposal facilities,
including (1) the locations of possible facility sites, as specified; (2) cost-sharing
opportunities; (3) developing service networks; and (4) advancing principles of zero waste.
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) must provide staff for the task force.
Task force members may not receive compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for
expenses. By June 30, 2022, the task force must report its findings and recommendations
to specified committees of the General Assembly. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021, and
terminates December 31, 2022.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: Any expense reimbursements for task force members and staffing costs for
MDE are assumed to be minimal and absorbable within existing budgeted resources. No
effect on revenues.
Local Effect: Any costs for local governments to participate in the task force are assumed
to be minimal and absorbable within existing resources. Local revenues are not affected.
Small Business Effect: None.
 Analysis
Current Law: The solid waste infrastructure in Maryland consists of both permitted and
nonpermitted facilities, and solid waste is managed through a combination of recycling,
composting, landfilling, energy recovery, and exporting for disposal or recycling. There
are several examples of regional waste management partnerships in the State.
Maryland’s recycling policy is guided by MRA, which sets mandatory recycling rates for
State government and local jurisdictions, as well as a voluntary statewide waste diversion
goal of 60% and a voluntary statewide recycling goal of 55% by 2020. Each county
(including Baltimore City) must prepare a recycling plan that addresses how the
jurisdiction will achieve its mandatory recycling rate. The plan must be submitted to
MDE’s Office of Recycling for approval when the jurisdiction submits its water and
sewerage plan at least every 10 years. At least every 2 years, each county must also submit
a progress report to MDE, which must include any revision of or amendment to the county
plan that has been adopted.
MDE’s Office of Recycling submits annual reports, in coordination with the Maryland
Environmental Service, to the Governor and the General Assembly on specified
information related to recycling in Maryland. Beginning in 2009, MDE has combined the
Maryland Waste Diversion Activities Report and the Solid Waste Managed in Maryland
Report into one report, the Maryland Solid Waste Management and Diversion Report.
Additional Information
Prior Introductions: None.
Designated Cross File: None.
Information Source(s): Maryland Department of the Environment; Department of
Legislative Services
Fiscal Note History: First Reader - February 14, 2021
md/lgc Third Reader - March 25, 2021
Revised - Amendment(s) - March 25, 2021
Analysis by: Kathleen P. Kennedy Direct Inquiries to:
(410) 946-5510
(301) 970-5510
HB 807/ Page 2