This measure would declare that the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is designated as Compost Awareness Week.

This measure would declare that the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is designated as Compost Awareness Week.

This measure would declare that the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is designated as Compost Awareness Week.

WHEREAS, Composting is a way of returning organic resources to the soil to restore the health of the soil and enable its essential function in the carbon cycle; and

WHEREAS, Applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food, conserving water during extreme drought, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and nonpoint pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, and remediating fire-damaged lands; and

WHEREAS, California instituted ambitious goals around both organics diversion and compost use through Senate Bill 1383 (Chapter 395 of the Statutes of 2016), recognizing compost as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction; and

WHEREAS, Materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings have all been composted and converted into a beneficial product known as compost; and

WHEREAS, Communities, through their local governments, highway departments, soil conservation service and extension offices, and public works agencies, can have a significant impact on clean water, soil, climate change, and landfill diversion by using compost for public works projects; and

WHEREAS, Composting creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and states that implement composting programs; and

WHEREAS, International Compost Awareness Week is a publicity and education initiative to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use; and

WHEREAS, The International Compost Awareness Week theme for 2026, Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us, was chosen to highlight the benefits of composting in agriculture and food production and the role of compost in supporting healthy, nutritious food and, by extension, people and communities. Beyond responsible waste management, composting recognizes the interconnectedness between every person who eats and the earth that provides all of our food, as well as our agency in feeding the earth our scraps so that the soil may continue to provide for us abundantly; and

WHEREAS, Compost grows healthy soil, healthy food, and a healthy California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is hereby designated as Compost Awareness Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Composting is a way of returning organic resources to the soil to restore the health of the soil and enable its essential function in the carbon cycle; and

WHEREAS, Applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food, conserving water during extreme drought, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and nonpoint pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, and remediating fire-damaged lands; and

WHEREAS, California instituted ambitious goals around both organics diversion and compost use through Senate Bill 1383 (Chapter 395 of the Statutes of 2016), recognizing compost as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction; and

WHEREAS, Materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings have all been composted and converted into a beneficial product known as compost; and

WHEREAS, Communities, through their local governments, highway departments, soil conservation service and extension offices, and public works agencies, can have a significant impact on clean water, soil, climate change, and landfill diversion by using compost for public works projects; and

WHEREAS, Composting creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and states that implement composting programs; and

WHEREAS, International Compost Awareness Week is a publicity and education initiative to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use; and

WHEREAS, The International Compost Awareness Week theme for 2026, Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us, was chosen to highlight the benefits of composting in agriculture and food production and the role of compost in supporting healthy, nutritious food and, by extension, people and communities. Beyond responsible waste management, composting recognizes the interconnectedness between every person who eats and the earth that provides all of our food, as well as our agency in feeding the earth our scraps so that the soil may continue to provide for us abundantly; and

WHEREAS, Compost grows healthy soil, healthy food, and a healthy California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is hereby designated as Compost Awareness Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Composting is a way of returning organic resources to the soil to restore the health of the soil and enable its essential function in the carbon cycle; and

WHEREAS, Applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food, conserving water during extreme drought, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and nonpoint pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, and remediating fire-damaged lands; and

WHEREAS, California instituted ambitious goals around both organics diversion and compost use through Senate Bill 1383 (Chapter 395 of the Statutes of 2016), recognizing compost as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction; and

WHEREAS, Materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings have all been composted and converted into a beneficial product known as compost; and

WHEREAS, Communities, through their local governments, highway departments, soil conservation service and extension offices, and public works agencies, can have a significant impact on clean water, soil, climate change, and landfill diversion by using compost for public works projects; and

WHEREAS, Composting creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and states that implement composting programs; and

WHEREAS, International Compost Awareness Week is a publicity and education initiative to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use; and

WHEREAS, The International Compost Awareness Week theme for 2026, Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us, was chosen to highlight the benefits of composting in agriculture and food production and the role of compost in supporting healthy, nutritious food and, by extension, people and communities. Beyond responsible waste management, composting recognizes the interconnectedness between every person who eats and the earth that provides all of our food, as well as our agency in feeding the earth our scraps so that the soil may continue to provide for us abundantly; and

WHEREAS, Compost grows healthy soil, healthy food, and a healthy California; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is hereby designated as Compost Awareness Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: ACR 180

Author: Connolly (D), et al.

Introduced: 4/21/26

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Compost Awareness Week

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution declares that the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, is designated as Compost Awareness Week.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. California instituted ambitious goals around both organics diversion and compost use through Senate Bill 1383 (Chapter 395 of the Statutes of 2016), recognizing compost as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction.
2. Materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings have all been composted and converted into a beneficial product known as compost.
3. Applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food, conserving water during extreme drought, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and nonpoint pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, and remediating fire-damaged lands.

This resolution introduces The International Compost Awareness Week theme for 2026, “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” to highlight the benefits of composting in agriculture and food production and the role of compost in supporting healthy, nutritious food and, by extension, people and communities. Beyond responsible waste management, composting recognizes the interconnectedness between every person who eats and the earth that provides all of our food, as well as our agency in feeding the earth our scraps so that the soil may continue to provide for us abundantly.

Related/Prior Legislation

SCR 70 (Blakespear, Resolution Chapter 126, Statutes of 2025)

ACR 161 (Connolly, Resolution Chapter 90, Statutes of 2024)

ACR 36 (Connolly, Resolution Chapter 78, Statutes of 2023)

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/18/26)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/18/26)

None received

Prepared by: Aizenia Randhawa / SFA / (916) 651-4171

5/20/26 14:08:03

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:ACR 180

Author:(Connolly)

As Introduced Ver:April 21, 2026

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Declares the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, as Compost Awareness Week.

Major Provisions

1. Composting is a way of returning organic resources to the soil to restore the health of the soil and enable its essential function in the carbon cycle.
2. Applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food, conserving water during extreme drought, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and nonpoint pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, and remediating fire damaged lands.
3. California instituted ambitious goals around both organics diversion and compost use through Senate Bill 1383 (Chapter 395, Statutes of 2016), recognizing compost as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction.
4. Materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings have all been composted and converted into a beneficial product known as compost.
5. Composting creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and states that implement composting programs.
6. International Compost Awareness Week is a publicity and education initiative to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use. The International Compost Awareness Week theme for 2026, "Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us," was chosen to highlight the benefits of composting in agriculture and food production and the role of compost in supporting healthy, nutritious food and, by extension, people and communities.

COMMENTS

According to the Author

Composting is an important tool to help Californians strengthen our food safety nets while also reaching our ambitious organic diversion goals. We must recognize composting as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction. Composting can help strengthen community resilience by conserving water during extreme droughts and providing resiliency during flood conditions.

Arguments in Support

None on file

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

No fiscal impact. This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

VOTES

ASM RULES: 9-0-1

YES: Pacheco, Lackey, Dixon, Garcia, Mark González, Irwin, Michelle Rodriguez, Sanchez, Zbur

ABS, ABST OR NV: Ahrens

UPDATED

VERSION: April 21, 2026

CONSULTANT: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800 FN: 0002425

Date of Hearing: April 27, 2026

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Blanca Pacheco, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:ACR 180 (

Author:Connolly) – As Introduced Ver:April 21, 2026

SUBJECT: Compost Awareness Week.

SUMMARY: Declares the week of May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, as Compost Awareness Week. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Composting is a way of returning organic resources to the soil to restore the health of the soil and enable its essential function in the carbon cycle.
2. Applying finished compost is a proven method of growing healthy food, conserving water during extreme drought, providing resiliency during flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and nonpoint pollution, decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, and remediating fire damaged lands.
3. California instituted ambitious goals around both organics diversion and compost use through Senate Bill 1383 (Chapter 395 of the Statutes of 2016), recognizing compost as an effective form of resource recovery, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, and pollution reduction.
4. Materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, biosolids, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings have all been composted and converted into a beneficial product known as compost.
5. Composting creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and states that implement composting programs.
6. International Compost Awareness Week is a publicity and education initiative to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use. The International Compost Awareness Week theme for 2026, “Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” was chosen to highlight the benefits of composting in agriculture and food production and the role of compost in supporting healthy, nutritious food and, by extension, people and communities.

FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800