The sponsor of a bill that requires compost use by cities is seeking to amend the bill in committee and we need your feedback.
HB 2713, sponsored by Rep. Amy Whalen (D–Kirkland), originally proposed two new mandates—that cities use compost in any project where compost could be used, and that cities which provide a residential organics collection program enter into a purchasing agreement to buy back 50% of the finished compost.
The sponsor intends to offer an amendment in committee, and the proposed change differs from the publicly available bill by removing several significant mandates to cities.
The change proposed is as follows:
If compost can be utilized in a government funded project, the local government must use compost products unless:
- Compost products are not available in a reasonable period of time;
- Compost products that are available do not comply with existing purchasing standards;
- Compost products that are available do not comply with federal or state health and safety standards; or
- Compost product purchase price is not reasonable or competitive for the specific market.
Any local government that provides residential compost service is further encouraged to contract with its compost processor to buy back finished compost products that are equal to 50% of the amount of compost the city delivered to the processor. Notably, “amount” is not defined.
We would like to hear from you on this new amended requirement. Please let Shannon know your perspective.
Dates to remember
HB 2713 is scheduled for public hearing in the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, February 5. The bill is also scheduled for a committee vote at 8 am on Friday, February 7.