House committee backs bill letting EPD use Solid Waste Trust Fund for emergency response and capacity building

Representative Corbett presented House Bill 956 (LC443273), saying the measure would "authorize the director of the EPD the flexibility to utilize state appropriated funds to build capacity while ensuring that the critical solid waste functions are met." He framed the change as an update to how the Solid Waste Trust Fund can be spent as the fund has grown.

Corbett summarized the fund’s history: a tire-management fee established in 1990–92 law and later dedicated by a 2021 amendment, with a $1 fee on new tires that now funds cleanup, local amnesty days and recycling grants. He told the committee the 2023 shift of fee collection to the distributor level increased annual fund receipts by about $2,000,000.

Under HB 956, the EPD director would be able to use trust-fund dollars for activities not currently eligible, including payment for agency emergency response to incidents such as tire fires and actions to ensure timely permitting. Corbett said the bill "would allow the EPD to pay for that response if needed, out out of this fund." He also stated the bill has no anticipated impact on EPD’s existing appropriated budget and would not reduce local grant support such as the annual amnesty grants (up to $75,000 per local government request).

During questions, a DeKalb County representative asked whether the bill would change state permitting checks with local governments or reduce local funding. Corbett answered that local permitting checks would remain and that grant programs would continue to be funded.

The committee moved and approved the measure by voice vote; the transcript records an affirmative vote but does not include a roll-call tally.