Governor Kotek creates State Task Force to continue the work of Benton County’s Sustainable Materials Management Plan

Governor Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 3794, creating a State Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley. The bill was sponsored by Representative Sarah Finger McDonald and Senators Sara Gelser Blouin and Deb Patterson.

The 12-member Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley will continue the work started by the Solid Waste Management subcommittee of the Sustainable Materials Management Plan (SMMP) Task Force.

Benton County created the SMMP Task Force in 2024 to examine ways to dramatically reduce the amount of solid waste at the end of the materials life cycle — trash, recycling and compost — by addressing the beginning (production) and middle (reuse and repair) of that life cycle. The Solid Waste Management subcommittee focused on current solid waste management in the region and explored more sustainable, systemic options.

The SMMP Task Force concluded its work in June 2025. The consultants’ final report, including findings and recommendations, is available for viewing on the Benton County Website. Meeting reports and other materials can also be viewed on the site. Task Force organizers are working to produce a summary report of subcommittee findings and next steps that will be published in September.

The Task Force on Municipal Solid Waste in the Willamette Valley will study and identify solutions for solid waste disposal in the region and review the findings and recommendations of the SMMP Task Force. The State Task Force will produce a report by December 15, 2026, and will sunset on December 31, 2026.

Members of the SMMP Task Force group are reorganizing to continue addressing reginal issues that will not be taken up by the State Task Force, including subcommittee work on food and organics, the built environment, and products and packaging.

Learn more about the regional SMMP Task Force at https://boc.bentoncountyor.gov/smmp-task-force/.