HARRISBURG — A House committee approved legislation Wednesday to increase the state municipal waste recycling fee for the first time since it was set in 1988 when Pennsylvania launched municipal recycling.
The Local Government Committee voted 21-4 in favor of House Bill 223, sponsored by Rep. Mary Isaacson, D- Philadelphia, to increase the $2-per-ton fee that landfill and incinerator operators pay on solid waste received to $5-per-ton.
Many municipalities are struggling with rising costs of recycling programs. and revenue from a fee set 35 years ago isn’t keeping up with inflation, said Ms. Isaacson.
Fee revenue goes to a recycling fund run by the state Department of Environmental Protection where it’s distributed mainly for municipal grants for recycling programs as well as planning grants, public outreach and up to 3% for DEP administrative costs.
The panel also voted 14-11 to approve House Bill 1810 allowing residents from an adjoining local government or school district to speak on a given issue during the public comment period of a local government meeting.
HB1810 sponsored by Rep. Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, would allow for designation for “persons of interest” with a stake in a matter being addressed to make comments.
Most local governments accept comment from residents or taxpayers within their jurisdiction, but Ms. Hanbidge said this becomes a problem when officials are discussing an issue that has an impact beyond those boundaries.
HB1810 would support the public’s ability to participate in decision making, said Ms. Hanbidge.
Committee Majority Chairman Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, said he experienced a situation where a township in his district wouldn’t let him speak about a landfill zoning issue because he didn’t live there.
Committee Minority Chairman Lee James, R-Venango, said he voted against the bill at this stage because he’s waiting for more information from local government associations about the bill’s impact.
Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester, said the bill is especially important in fast-growing areas considering major development projects.
Rep. Tarah Probst, D-Monroe, sought assurances that HB1810 wouldn’t open the doors to outside groups with national ties seeking to influence a school board’s decision on book bans.
Mr. Freeman said the requirement that someone live in an adjoining subdivision should guard against that.
First Published: November 18, 2023, 2:13 p.m.
