§14–409.

    (a)    In this section, “aggregate” means gravel, crushed stone, sand, and other similar materials.

    (b)    A State or local unit responsible for the maintenance of public lands in the State, to the maximum extent practicable, shall give consideration and preference to the use of compost in any land maintenance activity that is to be paid for with public funds.

    (c)    It is the goal of the Department of General Services to:

        (1)    compost, to the extent practicable, all landscape waste on State property that is under its operation for use as fertilizer in landscaping activities; and

        (2)    increase the percentage of landscaped area fertilized by compost each year.

    (d)    (1)    In purchasing compost, mulch, or other soil amendments or aggregate, each unit of State government shall include in its procurement specifications the specifications published by the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee for compost, mulch, or other soil amendments or aggregate under paragraph (3) of this subsection.

        (2)    The requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection apply if:

            (i)    the products are competitively priced;

            (ii)    the quality of the products is satisfactory for the intended purposes; and

            (iii)    the products are readily available.

        (3)    (i)    The Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, established under § 14–410 of this subtitle, shall establish specifications for purchasing of compost, mulch, or other soil amendments or aggregate produced from municipal solid waste, food waste, dredged material, construction waste, yard waste, clean wood waste, or other recycled or organic materials.

            (ii)    The specifications established under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall be published and maintained online by the Maryland Green Purchasing Committee for use by State agencies.