STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 224

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator SMITH)

ADOPTED: SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

      These floor amendments would:

      (1) direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to contract with a Statewide nonprofit recycling association to develop, maintain, and update at least every two years, a list of commonly discarded packaging and products;

      (2) require the Statewide nonprofit recycling association under contract with the DEP to also conduct an annual Statewide public information and education program to promote recycling, waste reduction, and responsible solid waste handling behavior;

      (3) lower the amount annually allocated from the State Recycling Fund for grants to institutions of higher education for recycling demonstration, research, or education to three percent of the annual balance in the fund, rather than five percent; and

      (4) allocate two percent of the annual balance of the State Recycling Fund to the abovementioned activities of the Statewide nonprofit recycling association under contract with the DEP.