HB 1114, sponsored by Rep. Beth Doglio (D–Olympia), establishes a goal of reducing food waste in the state by 50 percent by 2030, based on 2015 levels. In furtherance of that goal, the bill does the following:
- Directs the Department of Ecology to consult with the departments of Health and Agriculture to develop a wasted food reduction and food waste diversion plan by October 1, 2020.
- The plan must be designed to recommend a regulatory environment that optimizes the rescue of edible food and a stable, predictable funding environment that allows for capacity expansion and new technologies. The plan must also:
- Avoid placing regulations on the hunger relief system;
- Provide state technical support to wasted food prevention and rescue and food waste recovery organizations;
- Support the development and distribution of materials to support food waste and wasted food educational efforts in K-12 schools;
- Facilitate and encourage restaurants and other retail food establishments to donate prepared food to food banks and food assistance programs; and
- Suggest best practices that local governments may incorporate into solid waste management plans.
- The latest amendment also directed Ecology to include recommended changes to food quality, labeling, and inspection requirements under the liability provisions relating to food donation and any changes in laws relating to the donation of food waste or wasted food for animals.
- In support of the plan development, the Department of Commerce must contract for an independent evaluation of the state's food waste and wasted food management system.
- The bill directs Ecology to report to the Legislature its recommendations by December 1, 2020.
- Prior to implementing the plan, the report must outline a process for making regulatory changes to support activities, programs, or policies in the plan that would impose new obligations on state agencies, local governments, businesses, or citizens, along with estimated cost impacts.
- Although in practice for years, the bill expressly calls out food waste reduction programs as eligible for grant funds available to local governments through Ecology’s Solid Waste Management program
- Also in practice for years, the bill expressly allows cities and counties to include food waste reduction strategies in their solid waste plans.
HB 1114 passed the Senate unanimously on Saturday, April 13. The bill now awaits concurrence by the House.