House Bill 964

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO CREATE THE TASK FORCE ON RECYCLING; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE DUTIES FOR THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO MEET QUARTERLY; TO ASSIGN THE TASK FORCE TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Task Force on Recycling, which will be responsible for developing a comprehensive plan to establish a system to recycle household items. The task force will serve as a consensus group designed to coordinate efforts by the state, counties and municipalities to create an effective recycling system in the state.

(2) The task force shall consist of nineteen (19) members.

(a) Six (6) members shall be appointed by the Governor from each of the following industries:

(i) Plastic recycling;

(ii) Metal recycling;

(iii) Paper recycling;

(iv) Glass recycling;

(v) Household and highway hazardous waste recycling; and

(vi) Solid waste disposal.

(b) In addition to the members appointed by the Governor, membership of the task force will include one (1) representative from each of the following agencies, associations or entities, as designated by each respective agency, association or entity:

(i) Mississippi Municipal League;

(ii) Mississippi Association of Supervisors;

(iii) Department of Corrections;

(iv) Department of Environmental Quality;

(v) Cooperative Extension Service, one who is a county home economist;

(vi) Sierra Club;

(vii) Keep Mississippi Beautiful;

(viii) Mississippi Malt Beverage Association;

(ix) Mississippi Soft Drink Association;

(x) Mississippi Retail Association;

(xi) Mississippi Manufacturer's Association;

(xii) Mississippi Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores Association; and

(xiii) Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

SECTION 2. (1) The Task Force on Recycling has the following duties:

(a) Undertake a statistical and qualitative examination of the benefits of recycling in Mississippi;

(b) Develop a comprehensive plan to recycle household items;

(c) Report to the Mississippi State Legislature by December 31, 2004, with a system to allow counties and municipalities to collect items to be recycled.

(2) The Governor shall designate a chairman for the task force from its membership. The task force shall meet and conduct business at least quarterly. All meetings of the task force will be open to the public, with opportunities for public comment provided on a regular basis. Notice of all meetings shall be given as provided in the Open Meetings Act and appropriate notice also shall be given to all persons so requesting of the date, time and place of each meeting.

(3) (a) The task force is assigned to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for administrative purposes only.

(b) Membership in the task force shall be voluntary. No member of the task force shall be compensated or reimbursed with state funds for the discharge of duties associated with this task force.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.