New Hampshire Senate Bill SB380

New Hampshire 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/21/21
• Refer: 12/21/21
• Refer: 3/15/22
• Report Pass: 3/29/22
• Engrossed: 4/1/22
• Refer: 4/1/22
• Report Pass: 4/13/22
• Enrolled: 5/13/22
• Chaptered: 5/24/22
• Passed: 5/24/22

Caption

Relative to solid waste rules and landfill containment tests.

Impact

The bill’s passage is expected to enhance compliance among municipalities regarding waste management practices, thereby potentially improving environmental outcomes. By requiring municipalities to establish solid waste management plans, SB380 aims to minimize illegal dumping and unregulated landfill operations. The fiscal note indicates that this bill would not result in any financial impact on state, county, or local budgets, suggesting that its implementation will rely predominantly on existing resources without necessitating additional funding.

Summary

Senate Bill 380 (SB380) aims to amend current regulations related to solid waste management in New Hampshire. The legislation assigns new responsibilities to the solid waste working group, particularly in reviewing and recommending municipal solid waste plans. It establishes a clear directive for prohibiting landfills from accepting waste from municipalities that do not have an approved waste management plan in place. This shift emphasizes the importance of organized waste management at the municipal level and seeks to ensure that all towns comply with established guidelines for waste disposal.

Contention

While the bill seems to gain support for making solid waste management more organized and accountable, it may face criticism regarding the feasibility of compliance among smaller municipalities. Some may argue that the requirement for a solid waste management plan could impose additional bureaucratic burdens on local authorities, particularly those with limited administrative capacity. This point of concern may lead to discussions on the support and resources needed for municipalities to meet the new requirements successfully.