House Bill 637 Summary

• Requires state agencies and local governments planning construction or infrastructure projects with landscaping components to include compost and compost products in bid specifications where possible and use them if they meet specifications, are comparable in price, and available within reasonable timeframes.

• Mandates local governments administering residential composting programs to enter into purchasing agreements with compost processors to buy back finished compost products for use in government projects and on government land.

• Establishes a Compost Reimbursement Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to reimburse farming operations for 50% of eligible costs (up to $10,000 per year) for purchasing and using compost products during fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

• Provides $100,000 in nonrecurring General Fund appropriations for the pilot program in fiscal year 2021-2022 and prioritizes small farming operations by acreage in awarding reimbursements.

• Requires the Department to submit annual reports to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Agriculture documenting compost amounts reimbursed, effects on soil quality and carbon storage, and evaluation of program benefits and costs.