Bill > H4167

This bill establishes a "Clean Environment Fund" to support environmental initiatives. Specifically, it mandates that 40% of the revenue collected by the commission of revenue from abandoned beverage container deposits will be deposited into this new fund. The fund will be administered by the secretary of energy and the environment and will be used for two main purposes: at least 60% must be allocated to state and municipal programs focused on reducing solid waste, promoting recycling and composting, and improving recycling infrastructure, including grants for equipment and educational outreach; any remaining funds can be used for improvements to state parks and recreation areas, provided these improvements meet or exceed specific environmental building standards known as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The bill also requires the secretary to report annually on the fund's finances and expenditures, and it amends another law to ensure that state parks and recreation areas have programs and infrastructure for recycling and refuse management.