(1) By January 1, 2023, the following cities or counties shall adopt a compost procurement ordinance to implement RCW 43.19A.120:

(a) Each city or county with a population greater than 25,000 residents as measured by the office of financial management using the most recent population data available; and

(b) Each city or county in which organic material collection services are provided under chapter 70A.205 RCW.

(2) A city or county that newly exceeds a population of 25,000 residents after January 1, 2023, as measured by the office of financial management, must adopt an ordinance under this subsection no later than 12 months after the office of financial management's determination that the local government's population has exceeded 25,000.

(3) In developing a compost procurement ordinance, each city and county shall plan for the use of compost in the following categories:

(a) Landscaping projects;

(b) Construction and postconstruction soil amendments;

(c) Applications to prevent erosion, filter stormwater runoff, promote vegetation growth, or improve the stability and longevity of roadways; and

(d) Low-impact development and green infrastructure to filter pollutants or keep water on-site, or both.

(4) Each city or county that adopts an ordinance under subsection (1) or (2) of this section must develop strategies to inform residents about the value of compost and how the jurisdiction uses compost in its operations in the jurisdiction's comprehensive solid waste management plan pursuant to RCW 70A.205.045.

(5) By March 31, 2025, and each March 31st thereafter, each city or county that adopts an ordinance under subsection (1) or (2) of this section must submit a report covering the previous year's compost procurement activities to the department of ecology that contains the following information:

(a) The total tons of organic material diverted throughout the year and the facility or facilities used for processing;

(b) The volume and cost of compost purchased throughout the year; and

(c) The source or sources of the compost.

(6) Cities and counties that are required to adopt an ordinance under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall give priority to purchasing compost products from companies that produce compost products locally, are certified by a nationally recognized organization, and produce compost products that are derived from municipal solid waste compost programs and meet quality standards comparable to standards adopted by the department of transportation or adopted by rule by the department of ecology.

(7) Cities and counties may enter into collective purchasing agreements if doing so is more cost-effective or efficient.

(8) Nothing in this section requires a compost processor to:

(a) Enter into a purchasing agreement with a city or county;

(b) Sell finished compost to meet this requirement; or

(c) Accept or process food waste or compostable products.

Findings—Intent—2024 c 341: See note following RCW 70A.207.040.

Findings—Intent—Scope of authority of chapter 180, Laws of 2022—2022 c 180: See notes following RCW 70A.205.007.