Funding for study of critical materials in the waste stream provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Gottfried and 8 co-sponsors

HF 4819 funds a PCA study to quantify Minnesota’s critical materials in use and waste, and assess recovery opportunities to enable reuse and recycling.

Author added Rehrauer

#appropriations #environment

Purpose and intent

HF 4819 authorizes an appropriation to fund a study by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) on “critical materials” within Minnesota’s waste stream.

The term “critical materials” is defined by reference to the final 2023 Critical Materials List published by the U.S. Secretary of Energy (as amended), per the Energy Act of 2020.

The overarching goal is to quantify and understand how critical materials flow through Minnesota’s economy and waste streams, and to assess recovery opportunities to support reuse and recycling.

Key provisions and changes

Appropriation: Provides an unspecified dollar amount (shown as $....... in fiscal year 2027) from the General Fund to the PCA for this study.

Scope of study (required elements):

Estimate the type and volume of products containing critical materials that enter Minnesota’s economy.
Estimate the amount of critical materials recovered from products via recycling or through processing technologies that extract and remove critical materials from waste streams, with the objective of reconstituting them in pure form for reuse.
Estimate the volume of products containing critical materials present in Minnesota’s waste stream.

Timing: The PCA must complete and submit the study results by October 1, 2028.

Deliverables: The study results must be provided to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over environment policy and finance.

Who/what is affected

State agency: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) administers the study.

Beneficiaries: Minnesota state government and policymakers who regulate or oversee environmental policy, waste management, recycling programs, and critical materials supply chains.

Economic/industrial impact: Industries involved in manufacturing, consumer products, recycling, materials recovery, and waste management may be impacted by strengthened data about the presence and recovery of critical materials.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and first reading occurred 04/07/2026; referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy.

Additional sponsor updates occurred in April 2026.

By October 1, 2028: Final study results must be transmitted to legislative leadership (chairs and ranking minority members) of relevant committees.

The bill sets forth clear definitions tied to federal sources (2023 Critical Materials List) to standardize what is considered a “critical material” for the study.

Notable details

The bill specifies that the Critical Materials List used for the study is the one published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2023 (as amended), aligning Minnesota’s study with federal criteria.

The study emphasizes both supply-side (types/volumes entering the economy) and demand-side (recovery from waste streams) perspectives, plus quantification of remaining material in waste streams.

Overall assessment

HF 4819 aims to establish a data-driven understanding of critical materials within Minnesota’s economy and waste streams, highlighting opportunities for recycling and material recovery. The outcome would provide policymakers with quantified baselines and recovery estimates to inform future waste management and material-supply policies. The bill is primarily an appropriations and study mandate, with a defined reporting deadline and specific assessment components.

Bill