Committee conditions municipal compliance on funding in amended salt‑storage bill; DES signed off
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Summary
The Public Works and Highways committee unanimously approved an amendment to HB16‑07 that replaces the bill’s first section and makes municipal and county compliance contingent on available funding from grants, gifts and municipal revenues; DES indicated it will enforce the provision.
The Public Works and Highways committee unanimously approved an amendment to House Bill 16‑07 on the storage and use of road salt that conditions compliance for municipal and county entities on available funding.
At a reconvened session, the chair read the amendment language that replaces the bill’s first section and states that sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and salt‑treated abrasives used for snow and ice management "shall not be stored in such a manner or place as to subject groundwater or surface water to the risk of contamination," and that "Compliance with this section by municipal and county entities shall be contingent on available funding from grants, gifts, municipal revenues." The chair said the Department of Environmental Services (DES) had signed off and believes it can enforce and regulate the new language.
Representative Boyd, who moved the amendment identified as 2026‑0497‑H, thanked Representative Rockmore and other subcommittee members for bipartisan work that incorporated testimony from DES and stakeholders. Members asked clarifying questions: one member confirmed the provision applies to municipal and county entities, not to private property; Representative Edgar asked which lines the change covers (lines 4–7). Representative Brown urged the committee to consider the existing DES voluntary GreenPro program, which has three towns enrolled, as an alternative or complement to regulation and noted DES is exploring ways to encourage municipal participation without imposing a mandate.
Representative Boyd moved and Representative Souter seconded that the amendment "ought to pass." The clerk called the roll and the amendment passed 15–0 with two members absent. The committee then voted 15–0 (2 absent) to recommend HB16‑07 FN OTPA (ought to pass, fiscal note) as amended. The chair noted the bill will not be placed on the consent calendar because it carries a fiscal note.
The executive session adjourned and the committee discussed its tentative schedule for returning to other business in mid‑February.
