Ohio Senate Passes Reineke Waste Bill

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Senate has passed Senate Bill 147, legislation sponsored by Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) that allows counties to have citizen oversight when deciding to withdraw from a joint solid waste district.

"This bill is a direct response to my constituents and community leaders who are tired of being unheard and who have drastic concerns for their health and quality of life," said Senator Reineke. "For many years, local voices have been ignored in landfill decisions - local impacts make a difference. This affects my constituents' home and this bill will provide much-needed community oversight over something that is in their backyard."

Senate Bill 147 authorizes Solid Waste Management Districts (SWMD) to levy a permissive fee on the disposal of construction and demolition debris. The fees are to be used by the board of health to administer waste management law and mitigate impacts to public health, safety, and welfare. The bill provides a process for the separation of a county from a solid waste district, if the county commissioners decide that is in the best interest of its constituents.

Senate Bill 147 passed the Senate by a vote of 33-0 and now heads over to the Ohio House for further consideration. 

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