Capital Briefs: Medical Equipment Reuse Proposed

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Medical equipment reuse proposed
Texas:
Senate Bill 1175 relates to establishment of a reuse program for durable medical equipment provided to recipients under the Medicaid program. Enacted and signed by the state's governor June 14.

Inmate labor proposed for separation
New Jersey:
Senate Bill 2914 authorizes Department of Corrections and county correctional facilities to create a program providing inmate labor to separate recyclables at landfills. Filed June 27.

Bill looks at recycling centers in California
California:
Assembly Bill 1001 relates to the certification of recycling centers and a requirement that if one or more certified entities have operated in the same location for a specified number of years, the operations at the location of the recycling center must exhibit a pattern of operation in compliance with specific requirements. The bill would also authorize a waiver of the requirements under certain circumstances. Re-referred to the Senate Environmental Quality committee June 25.

Fees on waste vehicles to be increased
Colorado:
Senate Bill 50 relates to the Recycling Resources Economic Opportunity Fund. The bill would increase the amount of fees imposed on commercial vehicles disposing of waste at attended solid waste disposal facilities; extends the future repeal dates of statutes associated with the fund; makes changes relating to rebates to recycling entities, including local governmental and nonprofit entities, the financing of certain studies, and grants for reducing waste tire stockpiles. Enacted and signed by the state's governor June 7.

Lights wanted for sanitation vehicles
New Jersey:
Assembly Bill 4312 and Senate Bill 2906 would create "Michael Massey's Law," requiring sanitation vehicles to display flashing lights in certain circumstances and impose conditions on drivers when they approach sanitation vehicles displaying flashing lights. Introduced and sent to the Law and Public Safety committee June 27.

Bill aims for proper drug disposal
New Jersey:
Assembly Bill 4357 would require pharmacies and prescribers to notify patients about how to ensure proper and safe disposal of unused prescription drugs. Filed June 27.

Standards wanted in solid waste program
California:
Assembly Bill 997 would require the local solid waste handling and disposal standards to be incorporated into the agency's enforcement program. The bill would also revise the provisions regarding the terms and conditions governing the issuance of solid waste permits by an agency. Amended and re-referred to the Environmental Quality committee June 18.

Haz waste fee to be streamlined in bill
California:
Assembly Bill 1222 declares the intent of the Legislature to enact statutory changes to the Department of Toxic Substance's hazardous waste fee system that would streamline the system, harmonize the department's program objectives and fees, and align hazardous waste fees with the actual regulatory costs associated with managing hazardous waste and used oil. Re-referred to the Senate Rules committee June 27.

Group to look at e-waste recovery
Delaware:
Senate Resolution 10 requests that the Zero Waste Working Group convene to determine strategies to improve electronic waste recovery and recycling by Jan. 31, 2014. Passed by the Senate June 27.

Waste tire collection centers established
Louisiana:
House Bill 591 establishes waste tire collection centers for the disposal of waste tires. The bill would put special notification requirements on the waste tire collection centers and allows for an authority to establish and promulgate rules and regulations on waste tire and waste tire disposal. Signed by the state's governor June 17.

Illegal disposal to get stricter penalty
Nevada:
Senate Bill 449 would set strict penalties for a person found guilty of illegally disposing of solid waste, sewage or certain other similar materials three or more times during a period of two years. An offender meeting that criteria would be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and must be imprisoned in the county jail for one year, clean up the dump site and perform community service, according to the legislation. Passed and signed by the state's governor May 29.

Bill sets formula to calculate recycling
Tennessee:
Senate Bill 941 allows for any municipality to multiple the gross weight of aluminum cans and plastic bottles diverted from landfills and incinerators when calculating the total percentage of waste reduction and diversion that the region has achieved. Enacted May 22.

Requirement set for private hauler switch
Oklahoma:
House Bill 2003 slightly alters a previously passed law making certain requirements if a community switches from private waste collections to a public system. The measure is scheduled to take effect in November. Under the law, no municipality can change from a private hauler to a public hauler without first having at least one public hearing and giving at least 45 days written notice of the meeting to all the private solid waste collection companies which provide service in the municipality. Signed by the state's governor June 18.

Conn. aims to reduce phosphorous in state
Connecticut:
House Bill 5725 aims to take a look at the statewide phosphorous reduction plan. The bill would require the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to submit a report to the joint standing committees of the general assembly relating to municipalities and the environment concerning the status of collaborative meetings regarding a statewide strategy to reduce phosphorus loading in inland nontidal waters. Enacted and signed by the state's governor June 18.

Composting rules set in Maryland bill
Maryland:
House Bill 1140 sets rules for operating a composting facility including requirements, regulations, orders and permits. The bill requires the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations to implement specified provisions and establishes conditions on the operation and construction of composting facilities. Signed by the state's governor May 16.

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