HB556 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Alan Harper
Republican
Co-Sponsors: Greg Wren Elaine Beech K.L. Brown Terri Collins Paul W. Lee Becky Nordgren Donnie Chesteen John Merrill Steve McMillan Alan Baker Lesley Vance Jeremy Oden Elwyn Thomas Victor Gaston Dickie Drake Harry Shiver Joe Faust Chad Fincher Mike Jones
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Solid waste landfill, permits, prohibition against issuance by Alabama Department of Environmental Management and local governments of new permits pursuant to Act 2011-297 extended until after May 31, 2014, Act 2011-297, 2011 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 22-27-5.2 am'd
Summary: HB556 extends the moratorium on issuing new permits for certain public solid waste landfills from May 31, 2013 to May 31, 2014.
What This Bill Does
It prohibits the state and local agencies from granting new permits to new public solid waste landfills that would receive waste not generated by the permittee for a 24-month period ending May 31, 2014. The moratorium does not apply to industrial landfills that only accept in-state waste generated by the permittee. It targets proposed facilities that have not yet received final approval and meet certain size or capacity criteria, and it provides a process to waive the moratorium in case of a crisis, based on joint recommendations and a public notice process. The delay is intended to give agencies time to review duties under the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act and possibly propose changes through legislation or rulemaking, and to update the state's solid waste management plan.

Who It Affects
Developers/proponents of new public solid waste landfills that would receive waste not generated by the permittee are restricted from obtaining new permits during the moratorium.
Industrial landfills that receive waste generated in-state only by the permittee are exempt from the moratorium.

Key Provisions
A 24-month moratorium (May 31, 2011 to May 31, 2014) on new permits for new public solid waste landfills that would receive waste not generated by the permittee.
The moratorium is designed to allow ADEM and the Alabama Department of Public Health to review their duties under the Solid Wastes and Recyclable Materials Management Act and to recommend legislative or rulemaking changes.
The moratorium applies only to proposed facilities that have not received final approval and that meet certain capacity or size criteria (e.g., thresholds like 1,500 tons per day, 2,000 cubic yards per day, 500 acres, or combinations within 20 miles).
The director may waive the moratorium for a specific facility if there is a joint recommendation by the State Health Officer and the host government, following a formal process with a public notice and a resolution from the local governing body.
If the State Health Officer and hosting government certify a threat to health or environment, the moratorium can be waived to permit a limited-use permit for the service area identified.
The act becomes effective immediately upon the Governor's approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Environment