Purpose of the Bill

The bill proposes providing financial rebates to operators of resource recovery and waste-to-energy facilities in Minnesota. These rebates aim to incentivize the removal of materials from the waste stream for recycling, composting, or reuse.

Main Provisions

• Rebates for Recycled and Reused Materials: The bill mandates that operators of resource recovery and waste-to-energy facilities report the amount of recyclable, compostable, and reusable materials they process each year. Based on these reports, the operators will receive a rebate.

• Reporting Requirements: Facility operators must submit annual reports to the commissioner of revenue by February 1 of each year, starting in 2026. Reports must detail:

  • Tons of recyclable materials separated and recycled or reused.
  • Tons of compostable materials processed and composted.
  • Tons of recyclable materials recovered from combustor ash.
  • Tons of combustor ash used for approved purposes like road construction.

• Calculation of Rebate: The commissioner of revenue will issue rebates by April 15 each year, calculated using:

  • A 30% rebate for materials in the first three listed categories.
  • A 20% rebate for materials in the last two categories involving combustor ash.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Financial Incentives: Introduction of a rebate program for operators of waste facilities, encouraging the diversion of materials from landfills to recycling or reuse processes. This adds a financial motive for facilities to enhance their waste management practices.

• Appropriation for Rebates: The bill specifies funding sources for these rebates from the existing solid waste management tax revenues.

Relevant Terms

• Solid waste management, recycling, composting, waste-to-energy facility, resource recovery facility, recyclables, compostable materials, combustor ash, rebate, environmental taxation.