Senate committee to print bill creating pilot program to clean abandoned tire piles

Boise — Sen. Mark Harris introduced RS3214 to create a three-year pilot program aimed at removing approximately 20 abandoned tire piles in Idaho by offering partial reimbursement to recyclers for transporting, processing and recycling tires and providing administrative funds to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

Why it matters: Harris told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee the state has roughly 20 abandoned tire piles that currently lack an efficient cleanup mechanism. The pilot would provide incentives for recyclers to tackle those piles and include a three-year sunset for the program.

Funding and fees: During questioning, Harris said the program would continue an existing disposal fee consumers pay when purchasing new tires and that the RS proposes an additional 50 cents per tire to support the pilot. Committee members asked whether the pilot requires new fee increases or other funding; Harris said the 50-cent rate was chosen after comparing other states' fees.

Committee action: Senator Wintrow moved to send RS3214 to print; Senator Buerke seconded. The committee approved the motion on a voice vote; the transcript records "Aye." No roll-call tally appears in the transcript.

Details and limits: The RS as introduced provides partial reimbursement for transportation, processing and recycling costs and authorizes administrative funding for DEQ; the transcript describes it as a three-year pilot with a three-year sunset but does not include bill text or precise reimbursement formulas.