Kentucky House bill targets sold waste management districts

A bill changing solid waste management for Louisville, Kentucky, and Jefferson County is set to pass in the Kentucky House of Representatives, a report by WFPL says. 

If passed, House Bill 246 will require suburban cities to comply strictly with state and federal laws, stripping Jefferson County’s solid waste management district’s power, the report says. Because of this, the bill would get rid of all waste department regulations, including a plastic leaf bag ban, on Aug. 31, unless reauthorized by the new board.

The bill would also break up Jefferson County’s waste management district, known as the 109 Board, which is made up of five representatives appointed by the mayor that oversees waste in the district. According to the report, the new board would have seven members from various areas in the county. The members would still be appointed by the mayor but would need approval from Metro Council.

Attorney Schuyler Olt, who represents the four small cities of Jeffersontown, Seneca Gardens, Strathmoor Village and Parkway Village in the county, told WFPL that the bill wasn’t meant to target the plastic bag ban, but was meant to promote transparency.

According to Olt, the current 109 Board does not have a quorum and often cancels meetings. Residents allegedly are not aware of who is on the board, either.

House Bill 246 is posted for passage in the House on Feb. 22. According to the report, a similar bill was proposed in 2016 but did not pass either legislative body.