(a) There is established a general fund reserve to be allocated by the general appropriations act which shall be known as the “solid waste management fund.” Moneys from the fund may be expended to fund activities authorized by this part. Any revenues deposited in this reserve shall remain in the reserve until expended for purposes consistent with this part, and shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30. Any excess revenues on interest earned by such revenues shall not revert on any June 30, but shall remain available for appropriation in subsequent fiscal years. Any appropriation from such reserve shall not revert to the general fund on any June 30, but shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. In addition to appropriations of solid waste management funds made by the annual appropriations act, at any time during the fiscal year, the commissioner of environment and conservation, subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration, may use any additional funds available from the solid waste management fund to fund activities authorized by this part.

(b) It is the legislative intent that all appropriations which are required for the implementation of this part and which are in addition to the funds available from the solid waste management fund established by this section shall be funded from appropriations which are otherwise available for solid waste management and related activities as appropriated in the general appropriations act.

(c) The commissioner is directed to develop, with the input and advice of the underground storage tanks and solid waste disposal control board, comprehensive goals for the system of solid waste management programs throughout the state. These goals should address waste avoidance, waste reduction, recycling, composting, and household hazardous waste objectives and should incorporate a strategy of education, technical assistance, and incentives for assuring compliance by all solid waste regions. This program shall be put in place for grants given out after July 1, 2000; provided, that there is sufficient information available on the waste reduction and diversion activities of the counties at that time.