Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate amends and passes waste‑management bill, including new fees and planning provisions
Summary
After amendments clarifying collection frequency and inventory language, the Senate passed SB255 to create a state framework for solid and hazardous waste planning and to levy new fees on commercial waste facilities. Floor debate centered on fee levels, municipal control and whether fees would deter out‑of‑state waste.
Senate Bill 255, a comprehensive waste management package sponsored on the floor by Sen. Reese, was amended on the Senate floor and passed.
The Senate adopted an amendment to change the proposed collection schedule from annual to quarterly and clarified wording that had required a committee to 'inventory' solid waste; the amended language directs the committee to determine types and tonnage of solid waste generated in the state rather than conducting literal inventories of every load. Those floor amendments were adopted by voice votes.
Floor debate focused heavily on the fee structure. Sponsors described a fee package that would include a new 50¢ per ton fee on solid (commercial) waste and a $2.50 per ton fee on hazardous waste; members questioned whether those rates would be high enough to discourage out‑of‑state dumping and whether the fee revenue estimates matched projected program costs. Fiscal notes and projected fee revenue (discussed in the transcript as roughly $310,000 in collections against expected program costs) were referenced repeatedly.
Supporters argued SB255 creates a state planning and approval process to prevent Utah from becoming a regional dumping ground and to ensure commercial facilities proposing to accept out‑of‑state waste undergo state review and local approvals. Opponents asked for clearer language on city/county roles and raised concerns about enforcement logistics and potential impacts on municipal operations.
After deliberations and technical amendments to wording about scope and committee authority, the Senate passed SB255 by a recorded vote (24 ayes, 0 nays, 5 absent). The bill will now go to the House for consideration.
