4. a. There is established in the Department of Environmental Protection a Food Waste Recycling Market Development Council, which shall consist of 12 members. The members shall include the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the President of the Board of Public Utilities, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Secretary of Agriculture, the State Treasurer, and the Attorney General, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio; and six citizens of the State appointed by the Governor. Of the appointed members: two shall be actively engaged in the composting industry, of whom one shall be a representative of the National Waste and Recycling Association and one shall be a representative of the National Biosolids Partnership or equivalent entities; two shall be actively engaged in the recycling or solid waste collection industry, of whom one shall be a representative of the Association of New Jersey Recyclers or equivalent entities; and two shall represent the general public. The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall appoint the chairperson and the vice-chairperson of the council from the citizen members.

b. Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending meetings and performing their duties to the extent funds are available therefor.

c. Within 18 months after the date of enactment of this act, the Food Waste Recycling Market Development Council shall prepare a report on the existing markets for any products and energy produced from food recycling facilities, food waste composting facilities, and anaerobic and aerobic digestion facilities that accept food waste material. The council shall investigate the feasibility of providing preferences for products or energy produced from food recycling facilities, food waste composting facilities, and anaerobic and aerobic digestion facilities in the State procurement process, including how to stimulate the use in public projects of compost or soil amendment products derived from these facilities. The council shall provide recommendations on changes needed to State laws or rules or regulations to stimulate the market for products and energy produced from food recycling facilities, food waste composting facilities, and anaerobic and aerobic digestion facilities that accept food waste material. The report shall be transmitted to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.

L.2020, c.24, s.4.