CA SB1191

Allows the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to issue waivers from food waste separation requirements for jurisdictions with public safety concerns related to nearby bear populations.

Establishes an alternative organic waste management program for rural counties and low-population counties (under 250,000 residents) as a temporary compliance pathway, expiring January 1, 2028 for mid-sized counties and January 1, 2035 for rural jurisdictions, with possibility of one-time three-year extension.

Requires alternative program participants to implement green waste collection, form an edible food recovery task force, establish at least two collaborations (feed recovery for animals, backyard composting, or regional facilities), and conduct public education on organic waste reduction.

Requires the department to consider good faith implementation efforts and mitigating factors (natural disasters, budgetary constraints, market availability, median household income) when determining compliance violations or penalty amounts for local jurisdictions.

Requires local jurisdictions choosing the alternative program to notify the department by January 1, 2022, with verified information attested under penalty of perjury.