Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Program Amendments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reviews product‑stewardship, SALT program timing and a wastewater permitting study in housing bill draft
Summary
Members examined amendments in H.479 (draft references) to post‑consumer architectural paint collection rules, contingency language for the SALT management program, deadline extensions and an added reporting requirement for permitting of new domestic wastewater discharges.
Legislative Council walked the committee through several non‑related but consequential edits in the housing bill draft (03/19), including product‑stewardship language for architectural paint, contingency and effective‑date changes for the SALT (contamination reduction) program, deadline extensions, and a new direction to the Agency of Natural Resources to study permitting pathways for new domestic wastewater discharges.
On paint: staff explained the draft preserves the statutory term “post‑consumer architectural paint” and keeps the collection convenience requirement as currently displayed in statute (collection points such as retailers may continue to be used for architectural paint collections). Committee members confirmed this reflects prior direction to allow retailers to serve as collection points for certain architectural paint products while other categories remain subject to the stewardship program.
On SALT and deadlines: the committee removed a contingency linking the SALT program’s effective date to a separate report section (section 29) and clarified the program would be subject to appropriation timing (fiscal year 2026 or later), rather than contingent on separate statutory actions. Staff also said the draft includes several date extensions (e.g., deadlines moved to 2027 or later) to provide time for implementation without changing substantive program requirements.
On wastewater permitting study: the draft adds a reporting requirement asking the agency to investigate permitting pathways for small new domestic wastewater discharges, identify plumbing and permit types that might apply (e.g., NPDES for new mini treatment plants versus indirect connection permits for tying to existing systems), and recommend process improvements. Staff said the report should provide a formal proposal to streamline options currently handled piecemeal across multiple bills.
Why it matters: the edits aim to preserve policy intent while avoiding deadline collisions and to require a practical roadmap for permitting new small wastewater systems that may be proposed as part of housing projects. Committee members asked that the agency provide specific draft language and said staff already had an amendment prepared for inclusion on the committee floor if necessary.
