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H 3625

An Act relative to the permit for removal or transportation of refuse

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Donnie Berthiaume

Local boards of health issue a single MA-wide permit for garbage removal, transport, and dumpster installs; allows operation statewide, with annual renewal and a $150 cap.

Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 11:00 AM-01:00 PM in B-1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 3625

Summary: H.3625 – An Act relative to the permit for removal or transportation of refuse

Purpose and intent

  • Updates and consolidates the permitting framework for removing, transporting garbage and related waste, and for delivering or installing dumpsters in Massachusetts.
  • The bill shifts primary permit authority to local boards of health, establishing a single, statewide-ability to operate under one permit issued by the local board of health where the business is located.
  • Aims to streamline operations for refuse haulers and dumpster providers while ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 31A (as amended):

    • Establishes that no person may remove or transport garbage, offal, or other offensive substances, or deliver/install dumpsters throughout the Commonwealth without a permit from the local board of health where the business is located.
    • The permit authorizes the holder to operate anywhere in the Commonwealth; no separate permit is required beyond this local-board permit.
    • Local boards may require a street occupancy permit for public ways where dumpsters are delivered/installed, but the bill specifies that a street occupancy permit is not required for deliveries/installations on private property unless a public way is involved.
    • Hours-of-collection restrictions cannot be imposed by state or local rules in areas zoned for business, commercial, or industrial use.
    • Permit applications must be in the form and contain the information required by the board, under oath.
    • Permits expire at the end of the calendar year in which issued and may be renewed annually.
    • Permit fees are capped at $150 annually.
    • Permits are not transferable without the board’s approval.

  • Section 2 and Section 3:

    • The bill amends Sections 31A and 31B of Chapter 111 by removing the first sentence of the second paragraph of Section 31A and the first sentence of Section 31B, respectively. (Note: these changes modify existing downstream provisions related to the permit framework.)

Who and what is affected

  • Affected parties:
    • Refuse/removal and transport businesses, dumpster service providers, and related waste-handling operators.
    • Local boards of health in Massachusetts communities.
    • Property owners and developers who arrange dumpster delivery or waste removal on private property.
  • Geographic/operational scope:
    • The permit covers removal, transport, and dumpster installation throughout the Commonwealth, subject to local issuance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and sponsorship:
    • Introduced February 27, 2025 (House No. 3625, by Rep. Berthiaume (by request)).
  • Legislative actions:
    • Referred to the Committee on Transportation on February 27, 2025.
    • Senate concurrence noted in the record.
    • House docket reference: HD 4216 (the related version/alternative is noted as replacing the bill).
  • Hearing:
    • Scheduled hearing: July 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in hearing room B-1.

Potential impacts

  • Administrative:
    • Creates a unified permit framework administered by local boards of health, with annual renewal and a clear $150 cap.
    • Clarifies and potentially broadens cross-Commonwealth operation under a single permit, while maintaining required street occupancy considerations for public ways.
  • Economic:
    • Modest annual permit fee cap may simplify budgeting for small to mid-sized haulers and dumpster operators.
  • Public health and safety:
    • Maintains regulatory oversight through local boards of health; ensures compliance with state and federal laws.
    • Removes or alters certain prior regulatory sentence structures (Sections 2 and 3), which may adjust how permit transfers and other regulatory conditions apply.

If you’d like, I can compare this bill to the related HD 4216 or provide a side-by-side impact assessment for haulers and local health departments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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