Purpose

This bill would provide funding to support improving waste management infrastructure in Olmsted County. Specifically, it would authorize a grant to Olmsted County to design, construct, and equip a food waste separation system at an organic materials management facility to prepare food waste for recycling.

Main Provisions

• Appropriation: $3,500,000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the Pollution Control Agency for a grant to Olmsted County. The grant is for designing, constructing, and equipping a food waste separation system at an organic materials management facility to prepare food waste for recycling.
• Bond Funding: The money appropriated will be provided through the sale and issuance of state bonds, up to $3,500,000, by the Commissioner of Management and Budget. Bond issuance must follow Minnesota law (Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675) and the Minnesota Constitution (Article XI, sections 4 to 7).

What the bill aims to accomplish

• Improve organics recycling capability by adding a food waste separation system at Olmsted County’s organic materials management facility.
• Support the county’s materials recovery and recycling efforts by expanding its infrastructure for processing food waste into recyclable materials.

Financing and Fiscal Impact

• Funding source: bond proceeds fund.
• Mechanism: The state would issue up to $3.5 million in bonds to finance the appropriation.
• Oversight: Bond issuance and use must comply with applicable Minnesota statutes and constitutional provisions.

Affected Entities

• Olmsted County (beneficiary of the grant)
• Pollution Control Agency (administers the grant)
• Minnesota Office of Management and Budget (handles bond issuance)

Significance and Context

• Part of Minnesota’s capital investment in waste management and recycling infrastructure.
• Enhances capacity to process and separate food waste for recycling, contributing to environmental sustainability goals at the local level.

Relevant Terms - Olmsted County - Pollution Control Agency - food waste separation system - organic materials management facility - materials recovery facility - grant - bond proceeds fund - bonds - sale and issuance of bonds - Minnesota Statutes 16A.631 to 16A.675 - Minnesota Constitution Article XI - design, construct, and equip - recycling