HB328 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 22-27-48 and adds new Section 22-27-48.1 to establish a new approval process for siting solid waste management facilities at the local level.

• Requires applicants to submit detailed applications to local governing bodies including experience, financial resources, pending legal actions, and written documents addressing six evaluation criteria related to waste management needs, development impacts, public services, and community effects.

• Mandates a multi-step public engagement process including certified mail notices to adjacent property owners, newspaper and radio announcements, a public awareness session within 45 days of application, and at least one public hearing with 30-45 days advance notice.

• Establishes that local governing bodies have 30 days after public hearings to approve or disapprove new facility siting, with approved applications subject to circuit court review under Rule 57 of Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure to verify compliance with requirements and consistency with local waste management plans.

• Eliminates the requirement for regional planning and development commission evaluation of new solid waste facility applications; exempts industrial landfills receiving only on-site or permittee-generated wastes from these requirements.