WASTE DISPOSAL AREA INSPECTION - S.B. 499 (S-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS
sans-serif">Senate Bill 499 (Substitute S-2 as reported)
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
CONTENT
The bill would amend Part 115 (Solid Waste Management) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in conjunction with the Department of State Police, in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and the environment of this State from the illegal disposal of items and substances in landfills in Michigan, to administer Part 115 so as to do all of the following:
-- Ensure that all disposal areas were in full compliance with Part 115 and the rules promulgated under it.
-- Provide for the inspection, at least four times per year, of each solid waste disposal area for compliance with Part 115 and the rules.--Ensure that all people disposing of solid waste were doing so in compliance with Part 115 and the rules.
The bill also would permit the DEQ and State Police to conduct regular, random inspections of waste being transported for disposal at disposal areas in Michigan. These inspections could be conducted at disposal areas.
(Part 115 defines “disposal area” as one or more of the following at a location defined by the boundary identified in its construction permit or engineering plans approved by the DEQ: solid waste transfer facility; incinerator; sanitary landfill; processing plant; or other solid waste handing or disposal facility used in the disposal of solid waste.)
MCL 324.11526 - Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The DEQ currently inspects landfills and disposal areas up to four times a year. Combined with the additional items prohibited from landfills (under Senate Bill 498), this bill would require more complex inspections conducted more frequently. The DEQ would require additional funding for inspection staff, support staff, and travel expenses. In FY 2003-04, the solid waste program received an appropriation of $3,846,800 and 51.0 FTEs for all permit and license application reviews, development of solid waste management plans, reporting, conducting inspections, and compliance activities. Some investigative and law enforcement processes are carried out in the Criminal Investigation unit. The primary responsibility for the inspection program would be held by the Department of Environmental Quality. The Department of State Police would be involved at the request of the DEQ for certain enforcement activities under the bill.
Date Completed: 10-8-03 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica Runnelsfloor\sb499 - Analysis
available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.