Solid Waste Trust Fund; authorize use of funds for implementation of provisions of a solid waste management program

Georgia expands and limits waste funding

Georgia agencies can use money appropriated to the Solid Waste Trust Fund only for six purposes. These include emergency action when contamination from a waste disposal site threatens public health or safety. The fund also supports cleanup, site closure, care after closure, and replacement water supplies when owners are unknown, unable, or unwilling to act. A separate use covers monitoring and care starting five years after closure, regardless of the owner's identity or ability to pay. Scrap tire uses include cleaning up tire piles, regulating tire handlers, and grants or loans to cities, counties, and others. The fund also covers purposes listed in Code Section 12-8-37.1(c). Agencies can now use it to run the state solid waste program, including permits, monitoring, rules or guidance, inspections, and enforcement. Money appropriated to the fund cannot go toward other purposes. The law sets no new funding amount, tax, or fee.