House Bill 171 – Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure

On May 4, 2017, Governor Larry Hogan signed House Bill 171 ("bill") entitled Yard Waste, Food Residuals, and Other Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure – Study, Chapter 384, Acts of 2017. The bill became effective July 1, 2017 and required the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to study, review, explore, identify, and make recommendations regarding specified matters related to the diversion of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials from refuse disposal facilities; and to evaluate the status of infrastructure in the State.

The bill required MDE to consult with multiple stakeholders to conduct the study. These stakeholders included: several state agencies; the University of Maryland; Johns Hopkins University’s Center for a Livable Future; farm industry and environmental non-profits; food service trade groups; the Maryland Food Bank; organic materials recycling businesses and trade groups; and other stakeholders in Maryland’s organic materials recovery industry, herein known as the “study group.” A total of 10 public meetings were held, with participation and input from other interested parties.

House Bill (HB) 171 Study Group

Yard Waste, Food Residuals, and Other Organic Materials Diversion and Infrastructure Study Group Final Report (HB 171 final report)
HB 171 Interim Report
HB 171 text.
HB 171 Study Points. This April 16, 2018, revised document lists the tentative order for study topics to be addressed by the Study Group.

April 23, 2019, Study Group Meeting

April 23, 2019, HB 171 Agenda

December 3, 2018, Study Group Meeting

December 3, 2018, HB 171 Agenda
December 3, 2018, HB 171 Topic 10 - Food Waste Recovery Pilot Program in Elkridge/Jessup Region -Peter Ettinger, BTS Bioenergy
December 3, 2018, HB 171 - Dredged Material Innovative Reuse - Maryland Port Authority
December 3, 2018, HB 171 Meeting Minutes

September 20, 2018, Study Group Meeting

September 20, 2018, HB 171 Agenda
September 20, 2018, HB 171 Topic 7 - Sanitary and Public Health Concerns - MDE presentation
September 20, 2018, HB 171 Meeting Minutes

July 16, 2018, Study Group Meeting

July 16, 2018, HB 171 Agenda
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Topic 2 - Other State Laws (con't) White Paper
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Topic 6 - Incentives Relevant to Organic Materials Diversion White Paper
July 16, 2018, HB 171 Meeting Minutes

May 17, 2018, Study Group Meeting

May 17, 2018, HB 171 Study Group Meeting Agenda
May 17, 2018, HB 171 Topic 8 Anaerobic Digestion Permitting Presentations:

May 17, 2018, Topic 2 - Other State Laws; HB 171 White Paper
May 17, 2018 HB 171 Meeting Minutes

March 19, 2018, Study Group Meeting

March 19, 2018, HB 171 Study Group Meeting Agenda
March 19, 2018, Topics 3 & 5 - Infrastructure; HB 171 White Paper. Review the status of infrastructure for the diversion of organic materials. Figures:

1 - 2016 Permitted Yard Trimmings Composting Facilities,
2 - 2018 Permitted Yard Trimmings Composting Facilities by Region,
3 - Large Food Scraps Generators,
4 - FSCAP Horse Farms and Animal Feeding Operations Farms,
5 - Food Scraps/Manure Composting Facilities and Anaerobic Digestors,
6 - 2018 Food Scraps/Manure Composting Facilities and Anaerobic Digesters by Region,
7 - Food Pantry and Free Meal Sites associated with Maryland Food Bank and Capital Area Food Bank,
8 - Permitted Natural Wood Waste Facilities by Region

March 19, 2018, Topics 3 & 5 - Infrastructure; HB 171 Recommendations Discussion

March 19, 2018 HB 171 Meeting Minutes

January 24, 2018, Study Group Meeting

January 24, 2018 HB 171 Study Group Meeting Agenda

January 24, 2018, Topic 1 - MD State laws; HB 171 White Paper Diversion of organic materials from refuse disposal facilities in the State, including State laws or regulations governing the diversion of organics.

January 24, 2018 Meeting Minutes