An Act Regarding The Management Of Oversized Bulky Waste From Wastewater Treatment Plants

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Bill Bridgeo and 1 co-sponsor

Continues accepting eligible oversized bulky waste from wastewater plants at the state landfill at $2 per ton through July 1, 2027, with related recycling deadlines extended.

Signed by Governor

#biosolids #management #solidwastes

Purpose

LD 297 clarifies and temporarily extends how certain large (oversized/bulky) wastes associated with wastewater treatment are managed at the State-owned landfill. The primary intent is to continue acceptance of eligible oversized bulky waste at the current low tipping fee while related reuse and recycling deadlines for construction and demolition (C&D) debris remain extended.

Key provisions

Continues acceptance of eligible oversized bulky waste from wastewater treatment plants at the State-owned landfill at the current tipping fee of $2 per ton.

Extends the deadline for the reuse and recycling provisions tied to construction and demolition debris so that the $2/ton tipping fee treatment for oversized bulky waste remains in effect through July 1, 2027.

Includes one-time appropriations/allocations that authorize expenditure of additional revenue generated by acceptance of this waste under the bill.

The enacted bill incorporated Committee Amendment "A" (H‑537) and Senate Amendment "A" (S‑392/S‑392 as adopted), with subsequent engrossed/enacted text reflecting those changes.

Portions of the bill concerning wastewater treatment plant sludge at the State-owned landfill were evaluated in alternative fiscal notes and determined to have no fiscal impact in some versions.

Fiscal impact

The Department of Environmental Protection estimated approximately 75,000 tons of eligible oversized bulky waste will be accepted under the bill’s provisions.

Estimated additional revenue: $150,000 in Other Special Revenue Funds in FY 2025–26 and $150,000 in FY 2026–27 (based on the $2/ton fee). No ongoing revenue projected for FY 2027–28 and beyond (effect ends July 1, 2027).

The bill includes one-time allocations to allow expenditure of that additional revenue.

Separate fiscal notes for alternate amendments addressing sludge disposal at the state landfill reported no fiscal impact.

Who is affected

Department of Environmental Protection (administration, permitting, revenue accounting).

State-owned landfill operations (acceptance and management of oversized bulky waste).

Municipal wastewater treatment plants and other generators of oversized/bulky biosolids and related wastes (disposal pathway and fee).

Haulers and contractors who transport and dispose of eligible waste.

Recycling/C&D reuse programs indirectly, since the bill extends related deadlines.

Legislative timeline / procedural notes

Referred to the Environment and Natural Resources Committee; committee work sessions and amendments occurred in May–June 2025.

Passed both chambers with adoption of Committee Amendment "A" and Senate Amendment "A" after multiple roll call votes and reconsiderations; at points treated as an emergency measure requiring a two‑thirds vote.

Enacted when signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. The acceptance-at-$2/ton provision is effective through July 1, 2027, per the enacted language.

If you want, I can extract the enacted section text (amendments) or produce a one-page brief for municipal wastewater operators explaining operational and financial implications.

Bill