Senate adopts substitute bill to fund waste tire recycling program

The Utah Senate adopted a substitute to Senate Bill 5 to establish a Waste Tire Recycling Expendable Trust Fund, impose a per‑tire retail fee to finance the fund, and reimburse approved recyclers for processing eligible Utah‑sold tires.

Sponsor Senator Tempest described the mechanics: a fee charged at retail by tire size categories, exemptions for recapped tires and some small uses, and a county health‑department review that would certify processors eligible for reimbursement. The bill sets a reimbursement formula (discussed on the floor as $20 per ton for processing in one exchange) and includes anti‑fraud provisions restricting reimbursement to tires sold within Utah.

Floor debate focused on administration and fairness. Senators asked whether the fee schedule favored import tires or domestic models (an amendment to change a 14‑inch breakpoint to 15‑inch was proposed and rejected). Members also raised concerns about policing out‑of‑state tires, the potential for fraudulent certification, local administration versus state oversight, and whether the fee burden is regressive for some consumers.

Proponents argued the fee creates market incentives to jump‑start a recycling industry, clean up existing tire stockpiles, and encourage new uses for shredded or chipped tires (from mats to fuel uses). The substitute passed on a roll call (29 ayes, 0 nays reported) and was placed on the third‑reading calendar for later action.