SB234 Summary

• County and municipal governing bodies gain authority to approve or disapprove new solid waste management sites and modifications to existing sites before the Department of Environmental Management considers permit applications.

• The Department of Environmental Management approves or disapproves permits for the facilities themselves, separate from local site approval authority.

• Local governing bodies must apply six specific criteria when reviewing proposals, including consistency with waste management plans, relationship to development and transportation, public service costs, and social and economic impacts on the community.

• Local approval applications require a fee equal to 20 percent of the department's fee, with certain exemptions for simple permit renewals and limited modifications (liner design changes, waste stream changes, technology upgrades, compliance modifications).

• Local governing bodies must hold at least one public hearing with 30-45 days' notice and must approve or deny applications within 90 days; failure to act within 90 days constitutes automatic approval.