Proposal would charge waste facilities to support food recovery programs

The Environment Department would run a program and could award grants, hire contractors, and provide education and outreach. Eligible grant applicants include local governments, certain land grant communities, acequias, conservation districts, solid waste authorities, and Indian nations, tribes, or pueblos. The legislature would need to appropriate money before the department could spend from the fund. Grant awards could begin January 1, 2027.

Solid waste facilities would pay a charge based on the tons of waste they process. The charge would apply to solid waste facilities operating in New Mexico and to solid waste processed there. A facility with on-site composting would pay $2 per ton instead of $3 per ton. Facilities would pay by the 25th day of the month after processing the waste. The provisions would take effect July 1, 2026.

The Environment Department would administer a fund for grants, contracts, and education and outreach. The fund could receive state appropriations, gifts, grants, donations, investment income, and other credited money. The legislature would have to appropriate money before the department could spend from the fund. No more than 15 percent of the amount appropriated could go to contracts, and no more than 15 percent could go to education and outreach. The provisions would take effect July 1, 2026.