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SB 1280

COMPOST AWARENESS WEEK

104th Regular Session Introduced by Laura Fine

Designates the first full week of May as Compost Awareness Week in Illinois to promote composting benefits and awareness, with no funding or mandates.

Referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1280

SB 1280 — Compost Awareness Week (Summary)

Status: Referred to Assignments
Introduced: February 14, 2025 (Introduced in Senate by Sen. Laura Fine on Jan. 28, 2025)
Statute amended: State Commemorative Dates Act (adds new Section 77; 5 ILCS 490/77 new)

Main purpose

SB 1280 designates the first full week of May each year as “Compost Awareness Week” in Illinois. The designation is intended to recognize and promote the importance of composting and the use of compost to support healthier soils and food production, conserve resources, reduce landfill waste, and advance sustainability. The observance is to include activities connected to the annual theme of International Compost Awareness Week.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new Section 77 to the State Commemorative Dates Act establishing Compost Awareness Week.
  • Defines the observance time: the first full week of May each year.
  • Directs that the week be observed statewide to recognize and promote:
    • the importance of composting and use of compost in agriculture and public works;
    • compost’s benefits to soil health, water conservation, erosion control, reduced fertilizer/pesticide reliance, and landfill diversion; and
    • alignment with and inclusion of activities tied to International Compost Awareness Week.
  • Includes legislative “findings” describing composting benefits (e.g., organic waste is a large portion of landfill inputs; compost can reduce water consumption and support waste diversion and green jobs).

Who or what is affected

  • Primarily symbolic: state and local governments, schools, community groups, nonprofits, and industry stakeholders (waste management, compost producers, public works) are encouraged to recognize and promote composting during the designated week.
  • No regulatory mandates, program funding, or new compliance obligations are created by the designation itself.

Potential impact

  • Promotes public awareness and education about composting benefits and practices.
  • May support local composting initiatives, public works uses of compost, community outreach, and private-sector demand for compost products.
  • Could indirectly encourage waste diversion policies or local programs but does not appropriate funds or create statutory programs.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced in the Illinois Senate (Sen. Laura Fine) Jan. 28, 2025; referred to Assignments and to State Affairs (read first time Feb. 28, 2025). A co-author was authorized on Mar. 6, 2025.
  • Companion/related legislation noted: HB 168; other companion bill numbers listed in source materials.
  • Because this is a commemorative designation under the State Commemorative Dates Act, enactment would typically take effect upon becoming law (no implementation timeline or appropriation included in the bill text).

Limitations / other notes

  • SB 1280 is primarily ceremonial/educational; it does not create new regulatory authority, mandate composting, or provide funding for composting programs.
  • Organizations wishing to mark the week would do so through outreach, events, and educational activities; any operational changes (e.g., municipal compost programs) would require separate policy or budgetary action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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