CS/HB 975 Summary

• Prohibits municipalities and counties from prohibiting or unreasonably restraining private entities from providing recycling or solid waste management services to commercial, industrial, or multifamily residential properties, including condominiums.

• Permits municipalities and counties to require private entities to obtain permits, licenses, or nonexclusive franchise equivalents, but costs cannot exceed administrative issuance costs and must be commensurate with other industries' requirements.

• Requires any existing franchise fees in place as of January 1, 2023, to be paid by all permit, license, and nonexclusive franchise equivalent holders.

• Mandates recognition and protection of all contracts or franchises existing as of January 1, 2023, until expiration, including contracts with renewal options during 2023, but prohibits evergreen contracts or additional renewals beyond the current date of expiration.

• Exempts municipalities or counties that are exclusive solid waste collection service providers using their own employees and equipment from these requirements.

• Effective date: July 1, 2023.