MN SF2697

Cities and towns must establish a solid waste collection options committee to examine and evaluate various collection methods before implementing organized collection, including the existing system, single collector systems, and multi-collector systems.

The committee must evaluate collection methods based on criteria including costs to subscribers, provider choice, vehicle miles driven, city costs, waste reduction incentives, and impacts on collectors and the environment.

Before establishing a committee, cities and towns with multiple licensed collectors must provide a 60-day exclusive negotiation period for licensed collectors and city officials to develop a proposal maintaining existing haulers' market share.

An organized collection agreement cannot obligate a participating licensed collector for damages to third parties solely caused by another participating licensed collector, notwithstanding Minnesota's joint liability statute.

The act becomes effective January 1, 2019, and applies to organized collection noticed on or after that date.