March is a milestone in many states; Florida and Louisiana's legislative sessions have just begun, but legislators in 12 states (AR, GA, IN, NM, OR, SD, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY) are already anticipating the end of their 2014 session, or their regular session at least. Virginia and Utah are both expected to be back in special sessions before the end of the year, and you can expect several more states to join them as issues fail to be resolved during the regular sessions.
Only New Jersey and Virginia will carry bills over to the 2015 session, meaning most of the 606 bills tracked by ReMA are facing an end-of-session deadline. But a few bills have already reached the finish line; listed below are some of the bills passed or awaiting signature this year. You can view these and pending legislation that would impact the industry with ISRI's State Legislative Tracking System (member login required).
- Alabama SB 284: Signed February 27, requires rigid plastic containers labeled degradable, biodegradable, compostable, or similar to include the label "Not Recyclable, Do Not Recycle".
- Arkansas HB 1047: Signed March 3, appropriates additional funds to the Arkansas Crime Information Center to maintain the Arkansas Real-Time Scrap Metal Logbook.
- Idaho HB 389; Signed March 6, amendments to state vehicle titling law.
- Indiana HB 1279: Signed March 13, changes and specifies penalties for various motor vehicle issues, including dismantling.
- Michigan HB 5005: Signed March 5, amends solid waste statutes to regulate waste diversion centers.
- Nebraska LB 446: Signed February 13, adds flood damaged vehicles to the definition of salvage as it applies to vehicles.
- Utah SB 92: Passed by legislature, awaiting Governor's action; adds metals refiners to the state metals theft law and specifies that a seller must present a valid US federal or state-issued photo ID.
- VA HB 166: Signed March 3, amends requirements for vehicle demolishers, rebuilders, salvage dealers, salvage pools, and vehicle removal operators.
For more information about what is happening within state legislation, contact Danielle Waterfield or Justin Short.