Ohio changes rules for construction-and-demolition debris and lets counties exit multi-county waste districts

The Ohio House approved Senate Bill 147, which modifies state law governing transfer and disposal of solid waste and construction-and-demolition (C&D) debris, and establishes a new process allowing counties to withdraw from joint solid waste management districts after a structured separation process.

Representative Klick, speaking for the bill, called the change the "divorce clause": the legislation creates a memorandum-of-understanding and a roughly two-year process for dissolving and reforming districts when counties seek to withdraw, and provides for court assistance if local parties cannot reach an agreement. Klick described local frustration with multi-county decision-making and said the bill restores flexibility to counties.

The bill also permits a C&D fee set to mirror municipal solid waste fees so smaller rural districts can fund inspections and regulation; Klick said the change responds to a disproportionate flow of out-of-state debris into some landfills and to predatory legal tactics by large operators. "Ohio is becoming the trash can for the East Coast," Klick said, noting that a large share of debris entering a particular landfill is from the East Coast and that the operator had been subject to regulatory enforcement and a consent order.

Representative Brewer, supporting the bill, said the Ohio EPA would receive increased funding from the fee changes and the Seneca County Health District could use additional resources to address local concerns. The House passed SB 147 by a roll call of 90-2. Supporters described the measure as principally local in effect but with statewide implications for how districts are organized and how C&D sites are regulated.