Kentucky governor signs law designed to protect the private waste and recycling industry

March 20, 2017, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin signed into law HB119, prohibiting local governments from displacing solid waste management services without following a process of notification and public involvement. The Kentucky Chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) worked for two years building relationships, establishing a framework and seeking sponsors to introduce this bill, according to a news release issued by the NWRA.

The law goes into effect July 1, 2017.  

"The private sector waste and recycling operators in Kentucky are business owners and employers who are invested in and provide an invaluable service within our communicates,” says Robert Lee, CEO of  EcoTech Waste Logistics, Louisville, Kentucky, and Kentucky Chapter chair for NWRA. “This legislation helps protect this vital service and allows our industry to continue to work hand in hand with communities by providing innovated, efficient and economical service."

The law works to “prohibit a local government from displacing a current provider of solid waste management services without notification and public hearing; prescribe timetables for a local government to make a decision on an action to displace a current provider of solid waste management services; and allow displacement if services pose a risk to health or safety of residents or a material breach of contract.”

The full language of the law can be found at www.lrc.ky.gov/record/17RS/HB119.htm.