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House approves changes to tire-recycling fees to boost crumb-rubber processing
Summary
The Utah House passed House Bill 230 to adjust fees in the state's tire-recycling fund to encourage crumb-rubber production and energy recovery; the measure passed 67-1 and will be sent to the Senate. Sponsor Representative David Ure said the change draws on existing recycling funds, not a consumer fee.
The Utah House on the floor passed House Bill 230 on recycling of waste tires, approving adjustments to the state tire-recycling fund intended to shift more removed tires into crumb rubber and energy recovery rather than landfills. Representative David Ure, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the proposal adjusts fees charged to processors — increasing the crumb-rubber rate by $15 per ton and raising the charge for tires burned for kiln fuel by $10 per ton while reducing the landfill rate by $5 per ton — and comes from the Department of Environmental Quality’s dedicated recycling fund.
Supporters said the change targets the market, not consumers. "All we're doing in this bill is raising the the fees," Representative David Ure said, noting the dollars come from the tire-recycling fund and not directly from consumers at the point of sale. Representative Hendrickson, who has worked on tire-recycling issues for years, said markets for crumb rubber are maturing and pointed to uses such as artificial turf and horse arena surfacing that keep tires out of hazardous piles.
The sponsor framed the bill as the product of long-term work: "Ten, 12 years ago, there were millions of tires in piles around the state of Utah," Representative Ure said, urging the House to back a solution that reduces pile fires and other health hazards. The bill passed the House by a recorded vote of 67 yes and 1 no and was referred to the Senate for further consideration.
What happens next: The bill will go to the Senate for committee assignment and further consideration; sponsors said the fee changes are meant to be implemented from the existing recycling fund administered by DEQ. There were no amendments or additional procedural conditions announced on the floor.
