On February 11, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko submitted written testimony to the Environment and Transportation Committee in support of HB 429 – On-Farm Organics and Wasted Food Reduction and Diversion Grant Programs – Established.

This bill would establish several grant programs to expand composting, strengthen environmental stewardship, and improve recycling outcomes.

Food waste sent to landfills generates significant greenhouse gas emissions—especially methane—and finding better ways to reduce and divert this material is one of the most important long-term challenges facing local governments. Tackling climate change will require these types of practical investments across core public services.

From MACo Testimony: 

Food waste sent to landfills generates significant greenhouse gas emissions—especially methane—and finding better ways to reduce and divert this material is one of the most important long-term challenges facing local governments. HB 429 would help counties turn a costly liability into a valuable resource by investing in new programs that reduce food waste upstream and redirect unavoidable waste into more productive uses.

HB 429’s cross-file, SB 599, was heard in the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on February 24. Dominic Butchko testified in support of this bill.

More on MACo’s Advocacy: 

• Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2026 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database
• Learn more about MACo’s 2026 Legislative Initiatives
• Read more General Assembly News on MACo’s Conduit Street blog