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House adopts amendments limiting new waste incinerators near residences, rejects plastic-container preemption
Summary
The House concurred in Senate changes to CS for HB 1609 restricting new waste incinerators and waste‑to‑energy permits within 1 mile of schools or residential zones; the House removed Senate preemption language that would have prevented local rules on auxiliary containers and debated protections for Everglades restoration areas.
The Florida House on Tuesday agreed to Senate amendments to CS for HB 1609, a bill regulating waste incineration and landfill expansion, and adopted additional changes before approving final passage.
Representative Weinberger said the Senate amendment prohibits issuing construction permits for a new waste incinerator or waste‑to‑energy facility if the site would be within a 1‑mile radius of any school or property zoned residential at densities of one or more dwelling units per acre. The prohibition does not apply to facilities or operations in existence on July 1, 2025. The amendment also requires feasibility studies and public meetings in large counties (population 1.7 million or greater) before permitting landfill expansions within that radius.
During floor amendments, Representative Weinberger removed Senate language that preempted local rules on auxiliary containers, responding to members who said municipalities and counties should retain authority to restrict single‑use plastics. Several members, including Representatives Bartleman, Gant and Daley, supported the removal and the added landfill‑expansion safeguards. Representative Bartleman proposed but later withdrew an amendment that would have expressly protected Everglades restoration impoundment areas; other members argued those sites should be shielded from incinerators and landfills.
The House adopted the amended bill. The final recorded vote read 111 yays and 1 nay as announced on the floor.
