SB56 Alabama 2021 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2021
Title: Solid waste program of a county or municipality, fees or charges, use of proceeds, amounts in reserve account over $1 million dollars authorized to be spent by county or municipality for law purposes, Sec. 22-27-5 am'd.
Summary: SB56 lets counties and municipalities run solid waste services, charge fees, and spend reserve funds above $1 million for lawful purposes in the public interest.
What This Bill Does
It authorizes local governments to provide solid waste services, set fees, and manage funds for these services. It allows them to enter mutual agreements or contracts with other governments, businesses, or individuals to collect, haul, or dispose of waste, with health oversight and potential contract cancellation if in citizens' best interest. It also adds licensing, permitting, and financial assurance requirements for private waste firms and interstate waste transporters, and allows excess reserve funds over $1 million to be spent on any lawful purpose that benefits the county or municipality.

Who It Affects
Counties and municipalities: gain authority to provide services, set fees, manage funds, and spend reserve funds above $1,000,000 for lawful purposes in the public interest.
Private and corporate solid waste firms: must be licensed, may need permits and bonds, face annual license fees, and require department concurrence for disposal contracts with government entities.
Health department and health officer: provide oversight of contracts, licenses, and financial assurance provisions, with authority to review and cancel agreements that are not in the public health interest.
Residents and businesses within affected areas: may see solid waste service arrangements, fees, and potential changes in waste disposal options, guided by health and safety considerations.

Key Provisions
Local governments may establish fees, charges, and rates for solid waste services and may collect and disburse funds within cooperating areas; may enter mutual agreements or contracts with other counties, municipalities, corporations, or individuals to jointly collect, haul, or dispose of waste; contracts are subject to health officer review and can be cancelled with notice if not in the public health interest.
Private or corporate waste collection/disposal firms are subject to this article; governing bodies may assign territories, approve/disapprove disposal sites with health department concurrence, and must establish and collect annual license fees and set rate schedules if a service fee is charged.
Permits and bonds requirement: no license is granted without a permit from the health department, renewable annually, and with a performance bond; most disposal sites require a permit.
Financial assurance: out-of-state waste transporters must post at least $250,000 in financial assurance to ensure no hazardous or infectious waste is disposed in the state; acceptable instruments include escrow, performance bond, or letter of credit; health department to adopt regulations for terms.
Nonpayment of fees: counties/municipalities may suspend services or pursue civil action for delinquent payments after 30 days.
Reserve fund provision: if a solid waste reserve account exceeds $1,000,000, excess funds may be spent for any lawful purposes in the best interest of the county or municipality.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Solid Waste