House passes bill that broadens funding sources for recycling

A bipartisan effort to increase the effectiveness of recycling programs resulted in the House passing a bill Tuesday that would broaden sources available to match funds for local recycling programs.

Sponsored by Rep. Bob Loonan (R-Shakopee) and Sen. Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake), HF3153/SF2921* would make changes to a Pollution Control Agency grant program that provides financial assistance to metropolitan area counties for development or operation of yard waste composting and recycling programs.

Passed 126-0 by the House and 64-0 by the Senate May 1, it now goes to the governor.

Under current law, the PCA grants must be matched by equal county expenditures. The bill would broaden the entities that may match a state award to include a local unit of government, tribal government, nonprofit organization or private business.

“This money has to be used to increase the effectiveness of those recycling programs,” Loonan said.

The bill would also prohibit grant funds from being used for development of a product that would be patented or copyrighted.