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Committee advances bill requiring feasibility study and additional hearing before Broward landfill expansion
Summary
HB 4039 would require a completed feasibility study and another public hearing before any increase to a Broward County landfill. The National Waste & Recycling Association opposed the bill, saying prior processes and studies exist and warning of roughly $700,000 in study costs; the committee reported the bill favorably, 15-0.
The committee considered HB 4039, which would require the Broward County Commission to complete a feasibility study and hold a public hearing before approving any landfill expansion.
Sponsor's rationale: The sponsor told the committee local processes had not produced a completed feasibility study in time for public action and argued additional legislative oversight was warranted after years of contested local proceedings.
Opposition testimony: Kina Corey of the National Waste & Recycling Association (Florida Chapter) testified in opposition, saying that while additional hearings "seem reasonable," Broward County had already held 11 public hearings and was in the process of relevant studies. Corey told lawmakers that requiring another feasibility study would be "both time consuming and costly," and cited a staff estimate that Broward County could incur roughly $700,000 for a new study. She warned that delaying approvals would stall host-fee payments and a recycling education program and could shift costs to taxpayers.
Sponsor response: The sponsor argued local processes had stretched over years and that a completed feasibility study had not been available at critical decision points. The sponsor said the bill narrowed the focus to a local issue and aimed to ensure decisions were made with completed data.
Outcome: After public testimony and debate, the committee reported HB 4039 favorably by roll call, 15-0. The bill will move to the next House committee or the floor as scheduled by the House calendar.
