Capital Briefs: Regulations Adopted on Thermostats

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Regulations adopted on thermostats
California: The Department of Toxic Substances Control has adopted regulations that develop performance requirements for specific collection rates for out-of-service mercury-added thermostats. The rule also establishes a methodology for calculating the number of out-of-service mercury-added thermostats that become waste annually. Rule adopted May 29 and effective July 1.

Moratorium sought for new landfills in South Carolina
South Carolina:
Senate Bill 717 imposes a moratorium until Dec. 31, 2017, on the construction of new class 3 landfills or the replacement or expansion of current class 3 landfills. The bill would also put a moratorium on the Department of Health and Environmental Control from issuing approvals for increasing the annual disposal rate at certain class 3 landfills. The bill would also require the department to report on permit applications impacted by the moratorium. Introduced May 22 and sent to a committee on medical affairs.

Tax break passed for damaged properties
Tennessee: Senate Bill 1346 would allow a waiver for delinquent tax penalties for taxpayers who had real property damaged by a coal ash spill. The owner must apply for the relief and the relief would only be granted for certain tax years. Passed and enacted May 14.

Financing sought for superfund sites
United States: House Bill 2193 would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the financing of superfund cleanup and maintenance. Introduced May 23 and sent to a committee on ways and means.

Scrap rules passed in Washington
Washington: House Bill 1552 creates a licensing system for scrap metal businesses and expands criminal penalties for metal theft and malicious mischief. The bill also forces the civil forfeiture of any property used in the commission of a crime involving the theft, trafficking or unlawful possession of commercial metal property. The bill would also create a database where scrap metal businesses can determine if a potential client has a criminal conviction that makes them ineligible to sell property to the recycler. Passed and enacted May 21.

Sunset date on fees extended in Georgia
Georgia: House Bill 276 extends the sunset dates for fees and surcharges, including solid waste fees and tire disposal fees. The bill changes certain procedures in appropriations with the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Hazardous Waste Management Authority. The bill would also mandate automatic fee adjustments in cases where funds are not appropriated in certain amounts for specified purposes when certain fees are imposed. Approved and enacted May 7.

Study on recycling sought in Nebraska
Nebraska: Legislative Resolution 245 asks for a study on recycling programs for Nebraska residents and businesses. It would review current programs and grants, along with potential strategies to further recycling in the state. Introduced May 20 and sent to a committee on natural resources.

Oil spill information required in law
Colorado: House Bill 1278 sets specified information for emergency response in the event of an oil spill, including the exact type of waste involved in the spill. The bill also spells out jurisdictional authority for the reporting duties. Enacted and signed into law May 22.

Investigation pursued in dry-cleaner act
Illinois: House Resolution 405 urges the auditor general to investigate and report on whether Williams and Company Consulting is administrating the Dry-Cleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Council program in a manner that is consistent with the Dry-Cleaner Environmental Response Trust Fund Act. Introduced and sent to a committee on rules May 27.

Ban proposed for waste oil extraction
New York: Assembly Bill 7497 would amend the Environmental Conservation Law to prohibit the acceptance of waste water from oil or natural gas extraction activities at wastewater treatment facilities and landfills. Introduced May 22 and sent to a committee on environmental conservation.

Record requirements wanted for scrap
New York: Assembly Bill 7604 would impose certain recordkeeping requirements for secondhand dealers, including scrap processors and pawnbrokers. It would require getting certain identifiers for those selling items to the secondhand dealers. Introduced May 28 and sent to a committee on economic development, job creation, commerce and industry.

Drug disposal sites wanted on websites
New York: Senate Bill 5563 would amend the Public Health Law relating to expanding opportunities for the disposal of unused controlled substances. The bill would force the Health Department to post disposal locations on its website for the general public. Introduced May 21 and sent to a committee on health.

Bill clarifies waste fees in Oklahoma
Oklahoma: Senate Bill 25 clarifies the application of certain fees for nonhazardous solid wastes accepted for disposal at a site or facility to which a solid waste or hazardous waste permit has been issued. Passed and enacted May 24.

Regulations adopted on thermostats
California: The Department of Toxic Substances Control has adopted regulations that develop performance requirements for specific collection rates for out-of-service mercury-added thermostats. The rule also establishes a methodology for calculating the number of out-of-service mercury-added thermostats that become waste annually. Rule adopted May 29 and effective July 1.

Grant program rules may be repealed
Nebraska: A proposed rule from the Department of Environmental Quality would repeal rules concerning the litter reduction and recycling grant program. Rule proposed May 15 and the comment deadline is June 20.

Rule would address oil, gas wastes
Utah: A proposed rule from the Department of Natural Resources would establish standards for the management and disposal of exploration and production wastes from the oil and gas industry. Comment deadline is June 15.

Hazardous waste rules adopted in W.Va.
West Virginia: A rule proposed by the Department of Transportation provides general rules for the transportation of hazardous wastes by vehicles on the roads and highways of West Virginia. Rule adopted May 17.

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