Bill > H233

This bill aims to reinstate the Clean Environment Fund, which will be established as a separate account to hold unredeemed bottle bill deposits, money collected from the state's beverage container recycling program. These funds will be exclusively used for programs and projects focused on managing solid waste and protecting the environment. Specifically, at least sixty percent of the money in the fund will support waste reduction, recycling, and composting initiatives across public, private, and institutional sectors, as outlined in the Department of Environmental Protection's Solid Waste Management Plan. A minimum of one percent will be allocated to the Office of the State Auditor for oversight of the bottle deposit law and how the fund's money is spent, including investigating fraud. The remaining funds will be used for capital improvements to facilities managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Parks, provided these improvements meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building standards, a recognized benchmark for green building. The bill also details specific types of programs that can be funded, such as municipal recycling improvements, school and commercial recycling programs, grants for recycling service providers, and public education campaigns. Furthermore, it mandates increased recycling opportunities on state-controlled properties and requires annual reporting on these programs. After five years, the funding levels will be re-evaluated to ensure they meet ongoing needs.