Composting Research Act of 1990 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish a Compost Task Force; (2) conduct a composting agricultural wastes study; (3) conduct research on potential uses of compost; (4) evaluate existing compost programs; and (5) initiate a composting extension program.
HR 4490 IH 101st CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4490 To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research on composting of wastes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 4, 1990 Mr. HOCHBRUECKNER (for himself, Mr. BROWN of California, Mr. TALLON, Mr. OLIN, Mr. DYSON, Mr. GORDON, Mr. MRAZEK, Mr. ROE, Mr. STOKES, Mr. SCHEUER, Mr. MORRISON of Connecticut, Mr. GEJDENSON, Mr. DOWNEY, and Mr. ENGEL) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture A BILL To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct research on composting of wastes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Composting Research Act of 1990'. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) FINDINGS- Congress finds the following: (1) Composting of agricultural wastes can help prevent contamination of water supplies and alleviate waste removal burdens on farmers. (2) The Department of Agriculture should support an agricultural waste management hierarchy emphasizing-- (A) source reduction; (B) applying certain agricultural wastes directly to the soil; (C) recovery and reuse of valuable elements, such as starches, fats, and oils; (D) composting of wastes following separation of valuable elements; and (E) safe disposal of waste which cannot be reused or composted. (3) Compost can be a safe and useful soil additive which can help to stabilize and enrich soil and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers. (4) The use of compost as a substitute for other soil additives can help avoid the depletion of raw materials and protect the environment. (5) The Department of Agriculture is uniquely qualified to research appropriate uses and markets for compost. (6) The Federal Government, acting through the Department of Agriculture, should help facilitate the use of compost. (c) PURPOSE- It is the purpose of this Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to identify appropriate methods of composting agricultural wastes and potential uses for such compost. SEC. 3. CREATION OF COMPOST TASK FORCE. (a) ESTABLISHMENT- Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the `Secretary') shall establish a Compost Task Force, which shall meet at least four times annually. (b) MEMBERSHIP- The Compost Task Force shall consist of 15 members, appointed by the Secretary, from representatives of the Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Interior, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States Trade Representative, Federal Highway Administration, States with laws on composting, agricultural representatives (including livestock, forestry, fishing, nursery, horticulture, vineyard, and orchard interests), landscapers and builders, the composting industry, microbiological scientists, food and fiber processors, food service industries, public interest groups, and manufacturers of consumer product packaging. (c) CHAIR- The Secretary shall serve as the chairperson of the Compost Task Force. (d) CONSULTATION- In its deliberations, the Compost Task Force shall consult regularly with and solicit recommendations from the agencies, organizations, and entities referred to in subsection (b). (e) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT- Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply with respect to the Compost Task Force. SEC. 4. COMPOSTING AGRICULTURAL WASTES STUDY. The Secretary, in consultation with the Compost Task Force, shall conduct a study of processes for composting agricultural wastes. The study required by this section shall include evaluation of composting wastes resulting from the production, processing, and distribution of food, fiber, forestry, livestock, and fish products. SEC. 5. RESEARCH ON POTENTIAL USES OF COMPOST. The Secretary, in consultation with the Compost Task Force, shall conduct research on potential uses for compost derived from agricultural wastes, and from other waste streams as appropriate, and identify domestic and international markets for such compost. The research required by this section shall include evaluation of the application of compost derived from agricultural wastes on soil, plants, and food and fiber crops. SEC. 6. EVALUATION OF EXISTING COMPOST PROGRAMS. (a) CATALOGUE- The Secretary shall assemble a catalogue of laws, rules, and programs adopted by State and local governments, and foreign countries, that-- (1) establish standards for compost quality; (2) set definitions for processing, handling, or using compost; or (3) otherwise affect the production or use of compost. (b) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS- The Secretary shall submit the catalogue assembled under subsection (a) to the Congress. SEC. 7. COMPOSTING EXTENSION PROGRAM. (a) IN GENERAL- Beginning not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall initiate extension efforts (including seminars, demonstration projects, and dissemination of materials) to inform the agricultural community regarding-- (1) the desirability and safety of compost derived from agricultural wastes; (2) on-farm composting techniques; and (3) procedures for using compost. (b) DESIGNATION AS CONSERVATION PRACTICE- The Secretary shall consider designating composting as a farm conservation practice eligible for cost-sharing. (c) INTER-AGENCY AGREEMENTS- Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall undertake efforts to enter into agreements with appropriate Federal agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration and the Department of the Interior, to identify opportunities for applying compost on Federal lands. SEC. 8. PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS. The Secretary shall publish, and disseminate to all entities which receive United States Department of Agriculture funding, the results of the activities of the Secretary under sections 4, 5, and 6. Such publications shall contain technical and economic information useful to the public concerning composting techniques and uses for compost. SEC. 9. REPORT TO CONGRESS. Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every one year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on compliance with this Act. The Secretary shall include in each report a description of the results of any study conducted under section 4 or research conducted under section 5 during the period covered by the report.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Research, and Foreign Agriculture.
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