MN HF1477

Adds two new allowable uses for county solid waste grants: collecting and transporting donated food, and processing source-separated compostable materials in anaerobic digesters.

Requires metropolitan counties receiving grants exceeding fiscal year 2014 amounts to spend at least 50 percent on composting and food collection activities, with remainder directed toward achieving recycling goals.

Changes solid waste management tax revenue allocation to the environmental fund from a fixed $33.76 million or 70 percent threshold to 75 percent in fiscal years 2016-2017, 80 percent in fiscal years 2018-2019, and 100 percent thereafter, with remainder going to general fund in 2016-2019.

Directs incremental revenue increases to the environmental fund to be spent on waste reduction, recycling, litter prevention, and composting activities to support state recycling goals of 75 percent in metropolitan areas and 50 percent in greater Minnesota by 2030.

Requires the Pollution Control Agency to conduct a recycling market analysis with findings due February 15, 2017, and appropriates $500,000 from the general fund in fiscal year 2015 for the study.