§4–1019.1.

    (a)    The Department shall provide annual grants to nonprofit organizations, community associations, restaurants, and seafood processors and dealers that recycle oyster shells by providing the shell to an authorized shell recycling collector certified by the Department.

    (b)    (1)    Grants to nonprofit organizations and community associations shall be provided in the following amounts:

            (i)    $100 for the recycling of at least 5 but less than 20 bushels of oyster shells in a year; and

            (ii)    $250 for the recycling of at least 20 bushels of oyster shells in a year.

        (2)    Grants to restaurants and seafood processors and dealers shall be provided at a rate of $5 per bushel up to a maximum of $2,000 per year.

    (c)    The Department shall provide, at no cost, receptacles for the collection of oyster shells to restaurants that agree to recycle at least 25 bushels of oyster shells per year.

    (d)    (1)    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

        (2)    The regulations shall establish eligibility criteria and provide for the certification of nonprofit organizations, community associations, restaurants, and seafood processors and dealers to verify the amount of oyster shells recycled by each entity.

        (3)    The Department may enter into agreements with nonprofit organizations with expertise in oyster shell recycling to execute the provisions of this section.