§ 9-2503

(a) There is a producer responsibility advisory council.

(b) The purpose of the advisory council is to provide advice and make recommendations regarding establishing and implementing a producer responsibility program in the State for covered materials, including advice on drafting, amending, and implementing producer responsibility plans.

(c) (1) The advisory council shall consist of members appointed by the Secretary, representing a broad range of interested stakeholders, including:

(i) Representatives from the following industries or entities in the State:

1. Local government agencies responsible for recycling programs;

2. Recyclables and compostable materials collectors from both the public and private sectors;

3. Recycling processors from both the public and private sectors;

4. Organics recycling processors;

5. Producers from the consumer goods sector;

6. Retail and small businesses; and

7. Material–oriented trade groups;

(ii) Representatives of at least two nonprofit organizations in the State with missions related to reducing waste;

(iii) At least one representative of an environmental advocacy organization;

(iv) At least one representative of an advocacy organization that advocates on behalf of overburdened or underserved communities, as defined in § 1–701 of this article;

(v) At least two members of the public who reside in the State; and

(vi) The following nonvoting members, who may not serve as cochairs of the advisory council:

1. A representative of the producer responsibility organization approved by the Department under § 9–2502(a) of this subtitle; and

2. The Director of the Department’s Land and Materials Administration, or the Director’s designee.

(2) In appointing members to the advisory council, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that the membership of the advisory council represents:

(i) All geographic regions of the State;

(ii) Large and small counties and municipalities; and

(iii) The variability in how waste and recyclable and compostable materials are collected and processed in the State.

(d) From among the advisory council members, the Secretary shall designate two representatives to serve as cochairs.

(e) The Department shall provide staff for the advisory council.

(f) A member of the advisory council:

(1) May not receive compensation as a member of the advisory council; but

(2) Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

(g) The advisory council shall meet at the request of the Secretary.

(h) The advisory council shall:

(1) On request by a producer or producer responsibility organization, provide advice regarding the drafting or amending of a producer responsibility plan required under § 9–2505 of this subtitle;

(2) Receive and review the producer responsibility plans submitted in accordance with § 9–2505 of this subtitle;

(3) Receive and review annual reports submitted in accordance with § 9–2509 of this subtitle;

(4) Make recommendations to the Department regarding producer responsibility plan approval;

(5) Make recommendations to the Department and producer responsibility organizations regarding producer responsibility plan implementation; and

(6) Provide written recommendations regarding the producer responsibility plan, including any update or revision to an approved plan, to a producer responsibility organization before the producer responsibility organization submits the plan to the Department.