Bill
HB 5917
Requires certain commercial food entities to recycle food scraps and adopt a food-donation plan, cutting landfill waste and boosting edible donations to charity.
HB 5917 — Summary
Overview
HB 5917 would require certain commercial food-related entities to manage food waste by recycling food scraps and by developing formal food donation plans. The bill is introduced and referred to the Joint Committee on Environment as of January 22, 2025.
What the bill would do (as indicated by the title)
- Mandate recycling of food scraps by specified entities.
- Require these entities to develop and adopt a food donation plan to redirect edible surplus to charitable organizations or community programs.
Who is covered
- Commercial food wholesalers
- Food distributors
- Supermarkets
- Institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals, or other organizations categorized as institutions in the bill)
- Resorts
- Conference centers
(Note: the precise definitions, thresholds, and any exemptions would be specified in the full text of the bill.)
Key provisions to expect in the full text (noting that specifics are not provided here)
- Definition of terms such as “food scraps,” “recycling,” and “food donation plan.”
- Requirements for how food scraps must be recycled (e.g., composting, anaerobic digestion) and any standards or certifications.
- Required components of a food donation plan (e.g., partnerships with local food banks, procedures for surplus handling and transport, recordkeeping).
- Compliance deadlines, phased implementation, and possible exemptions (e.g., based on size, feasibility, or space constraints).
- Reporting or oversight mechanisms (who enforces the requirements, what reports are due, and to whom).
- Penalties or enforcement provisions for noncompliance.
- Potential funding, incentives, or technical assistance to help entities comply.
Potential impacts
- Environmental: anticipated reduction in landfill waste and methane emissions from discarded food scraps; improved recycling rates.
- Social: increased edible food donation to assist food-insecure populations.
- Economic: initial costs for setup (sorting, storage, partnerships) balanced against possible long-term savings and potential grants or incentives; administrative burden for compliance and reporting.
Status and next steps
- Currently in REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment (as of introduction on January 22, 2025).
- If advanced, the bill would move through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes. The exact provisions and effective dates will be defined in the bill’s full text.
Note
The summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose from the title. The actual text will provide the precise definitions, requirements, timelines, exemptions, and enforcement details.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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