A Rosemount lawmaker says he’s carrying a bill for the funeral industry and environmental sustainability enthusiasts that would make it legal to turn a human cadaver into compost.

“Natural organic reduction” is a new technology that many in the mortuary science world are embracing. It’s legal in six states, including Washington, where one Minnesota man dying of cancer last year had to arrange to have his body shipped after his death to undergo the process. The composted remains were then sent back to Minnesota, said Taelor Johnson of Twin Cities-based Mueller Memorial and Interra Green Burial.

“Steve died last September, and he got his wish to be transformed into highly regenerative soil,” said Johnson during her testimony Tuesday on HF2669, which would make it legal for licensed morticians to operate natural organic reduction technology for corpses. “It may seem hard to believe, but Steve was excited at this plan for his disposition because it would help him make meaning out of his own death.”

Rep. John Huot, DFL-Rosemount, who’s sponsoring the legislation, told members of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee during a hearing Tuesday that he’s been surprised by the number of emails he’s received expressing support for the bill.