Legislation designed to limit urban food and other waste transport to rural composting sites is awaiting the governor鈥檚 signature after clearing both chambers of the Texas Legislature this session. Senate Bill 2078, authored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and carried in the House by Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-Smithville), would restrict the deposit of food waste at composting facilities in counties that do not have commercial food waste composting ordinances.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been kind of a whirlwind coming after as the session has wound down, but the composting bill is waiting for a governor鈥檚 signature that will redefine, you know, where compost can go,鈥� Gerdes told KBTX.
According to the bill, a person may not deposit food waste collected in a municipality with a commercial composting ordinance at a facility located in a county without such a rule, unless the local commissioners court approves the action or the facility was already operating under a valid authorization before Jan. 1, 2025. A civil penalty of $1,000 may apply for each violation.