Resolve, To Adjust Composting Limits for Farms
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0969
Committee Amendment CA_A_H196 (House)
Committee: Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 713, L.D. 969, "Resolve, To Adjust 
Composting Limits for Farms" 
Amend the resolve in section 1 in the last line (page 1, line 6 in L.D.) by striking out 
the following: "2-A." and inserting the following: '2-A; and be it further' 
Amend the resolve by inserting after section 1 the following: 
'Sec. 2. 
Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources to 
examine operations requiring a compost management plan. Resolved: That 
the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, referred to in this section as 
"the department," shall review agricultural composting operations that are exempt from 
licensing as a solid waste facility under the Department of Environmental Protection 
Rules, Chapter 410, Section 1, Paragraph B, Subparagraphs (4), (5), (6) and (7). 
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources shall report to the Joint 
Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no later than January 3, 
2012 with recommendations for statutory changes needed to clarify or enhance the 
department's oversight of agricultural composting operations. 
For the purposes of this 
section, "agricultural composting operations" means composting that takes place on farms 
and uses only animal manure, animal carcasses and offal, fish waste, leaves, wood chips, 
animal bedding and other vegetative waste and produce and other vegetable and food 
waste. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may report 
out a bill during the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature pertaining to 
oversight of agricultural composting operations.' 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
~., . .,,/ 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 713, L.D. 969 
SUMMARY 
This amendment is the majority report of the Joint Standing Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, 
Conservation and Forestry. It directs the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources to review exemptions from licensing under the Department of Environmental 
Protection that are contingent on a compo sting facility's operating in accordance with a 
compost management plan approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural 
Resources. The Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources is directed to 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry no 
later than January 3, 2012 with recommendations for any statutory changes needed to 
clarify or enhance the department's oversight of agricultural compo sting operations. It 
authorizes the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to 
report out a bill in the Second Regular Session of the 125th Legislature. 
rtseAt NOT~ tutQUlRE:Q 
(See att~c.~~~). 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 05/03111 
;f!?;?ac 
LD969 
LR 1621(02) 
Resolve, To Adjust Composting Limits for Farms 
Fiscal Note for Bill as' Amended by Committee Amendment A" 
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Minor revenue decrease - Other Special Revenue Funds 
Requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to amend its composting rules will result in minor 
increased costs that DEP can absorb within existing budgeted resources. The amended rules may exempt certain 
facilities from licensing and regulatory requirements resulting in a minor revenue decrease to DEP. Additional costs 
to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources associated with reviewing agricultural composting 
operations that are exempt from licensing as a solid waste facility and reporting recommendations for statutory 
changes can be absorbed with existing staff and within existing budgeted resources. 
LR1621(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1