RI S2441

Establishes a $2.00 per ton solid waste disposal surcharge collected by refuse disposal facilities, with mandatory adjustments every 5 years starting January 1, 2031 (either by New England CPI or 20%, whichever is greater)

Creates three nonlapsing funds: a Compost Fund under the Department of Environmental Management, a Competitive Composting and Waste Diversion Grant Fund (CG Fund), and a Municipal Waste Diversion Grant Fund (MG Fund), with surcharge revenue split 50/50 between the competitive and municipal grant programs after administrative costs (capped at 5%)

Municipalities must opt in to the surcharge program for municipal solid waste to be eligible for MG Fund grants, which are distributed proportionally by population for food waste prevention, food rescue, composting, and illegal dumping reduction

Eligible CG Fund grant recipients include conservation districts, educational institutions, nonprofits, farmers, and businesses, with priority given to projects serving low-income or socially disadvantaged communities and those led by women, veterans, or beginning enterprises

Requires annual reporting to the General Assembly starting December 1, 2027 on grant impacts, and takes effect January 1, 2027