Bill > AB643

This bill makes several modifications to California's existing regulations on organic waste reduction and climate change mitigation. Specifically, the bill allows local jurisdictions to count organic material used as an agricultural amendment towards their recovered organic waste procurement target, provided that the material is processed at a department-authorized facility using approved technologies and is licensed as an agricultural fertilizer by the Department of Food and Agriculture. The bill maintains existing goals of reducing methane emissions and landfill disposal of organic waste, while providing local jurisdictions with more flexibility in meeting their organic waste procurement targets. It includes provisions for penalties, compliance timelines, and exemptions for rural jurisdictions, and allows for various methods of counting organic waste recovery, such as composting, mulch production, and edible food recovery. The bill also recognizes the economic challenges of organic waste recycling, particularly in rural areas, and provides mechanisms for jurisdictions to seek compliance extensions or relief from penalties if they submit detailed plans demonstrating good-faith efforts to meet the regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB643