Senate Passes Reineke Bill Addressing Out-of-State Waste Disposal

COLUMBUS— The Ohio Senate today passed Senate Bill 119, which provides significant changes to waste management in Ohio.

Sponsored by State Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), Senate Bill 119 would allow for a new permissive, variable fee for the disposal of construction and demolition debris, identical to the district disposal fees for solid waste. The money collected will fund local boards of health to help mitigate the impacts on the health, safety, and welfare of citizens living near a landfill.

The bill also allows solid waste management districts to pass funds on to cities, counties, boards of health, municipalities, and townships so they can mitigate impacts on health, safety, and welfare or for recycling initiatives. 

"Ohio has been the destination for out-of-state trash at the cost of the health and safety of our citizens," Reineke said. "Out-of-state trash deserves to be treated the exact same as waste collected locally, and the communities near and around these districts deserve the resources to combat the health and safety concerns it brings. Senate Bill 119 includes no new fee increases nor does it impose any new regulations. The permissive fee allows for more oversight and enforcement of current regulations on landfills by local boards of health, which should be empowered to protect their constituents."

Senate Bill 119 would also update the ability for a county to withdraw from a solid waste management district, requiring all counties to meet before a county can leave. The county must still be contributing 75% or more of the revenue to the district.