RI H7675

Establishes a $2.00 per ton solid waste disposal surcharge on waste processed at refuse disposal facilities, with the surcharge adjusted every five years starting January 1, 2031 by the greater of New England CPI changes or 20%

Creates three special nonlapsing funds: the Compost Fund (administered by the Department of Environmental Management), the Competitive Composting and Waste Diversion Grant Fund, and the Municipal Waste Diversion Grant Fund, with 50% of surcharge revenue allocated to each grant fund after administrative costs

Municipalities must opt in to the surcharge program to be eligible for municipal waste diversion grants; those that do not opt in are excluded from the municipal grant fund

Competitive grants available to conservation districts, nonprofits, farmers, educational institutions, and businesses for composting infrastructure, food rescue, shell recovery, illegal dumping prevention, and waste reduction projects, with priority given to projects serving low-income communities and led by disadvantaged groups

Takes effect January 1, 2027, with quarterly surcharge collection beginning that date and annual reporting to the General Assembly required starting December 1, 2027