House committee advances bill to let EPD use Solid Waste Trust Fund for emergency and capacity needs
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Summary
A House Natural Resources & Environment subcommittee advanced House Bill 956 to the full committee after its sponsor said the measure would let the EPD director use Solid Waste Trust Fund dollars for emergency response and capacity-building without affecting current grant programs.
Representative John Corbett, chairman of the subcommittee, presented House Bill 956 to the panel, saying the measure would give the Environmental Protection Division director authority and flexibility to implement provisions of the Solid Waste Trust Fund and to use state-appropriated funds to build capacity.
"House Bill 956 does just that. It allows the director the flexibility to utilize state appropriated funds to build capacity," Corbett said during his remarks.
The sponsor described the fund’s history, noting the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act created the Solid Waste Trust Fund and that a tire-management fee (a $1 charge on each new tire) became a primary revenue source. Corbett said a 2023 change shifting fee collection from retailers to distributors has made administration easier and yielded roughly $2,000,000 in additional annual revenue.
Corbett said EPD has used trust-fund dollars for cleanup programs, local government amnesty-day reimbursements (up to $75,000 per year under the stated program) and to support eligible recycling grant awards, though some localities have been ineligible for grants because of audit and compliance issues. He gave a recent emergency as an example: the EPD emergency-response team responded to a tire fire but, under current law, could not be paid from the Solid Waste Trust Fund. The bill would allow the director to use trust-fund dollars in such circumstances.
Director Cowen of the EPD answered committee questions and said the agency supports measured authority but must avoid arbitrary application. Committee members also questioned whether federal funding uncertainty—cited by Corbett—makes state flexibility more important; Corbett said the bill is not expected to change EPD’s current state-appropriated budget or reduce grant support.
The subcommittee moved and seconded consideration of HB 956 and took a voice vote; the chair announced the bill will go forward to the full committee.
The bill’s sponsor asked the full committee for favorable consideration; the subcommittee adjourned to take up other matters.