The proposed legislation amends the existing Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act, renaming it the Tire Management and Recycling Act, and establishes a new Waste Tire Abatement Fund while repealing the Used Tire Recycling Fund. The bill aims to improve public health and environmental protection by setting standards for the management of recyclable, waste, and used tires, addressing risks such as disease vectors and fire hazards. Key changes include the deletion of previous accountability measures and the introduction of a new definition for "abatement," which pertains to the proper removal of tires from waste sites. The bill also expands the definition of "beneficial use" to encompass civil engineering purposes and lightweight aggregate fill, and it establishes a uniform used tire manifest system to enhance tire management.

Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for tire retailers and manufacturers, including record-keeping obligations and a new fee structure, replacing the rim removal fee with a $1.50 tire retailer fee for each new tire sold. It mandates that waste tires be transported to permitted collection centers for a fee and outlines the responsibilities of individuals importing used tires. The legislation also clarifies the roles of the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission in regulating tire management and establishes stricter penalties for tire transporters. The Waste Tire Abatement Fund will be financed through penalties and other revenues, supporting various waste tire management initiatives, with a transition to the new fee structure set for January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB 1982: 8-6-1002(b), 19-5-1148, 8-9-404, 8-9-401, 19-6-301, 8-9-404(a), 8-9-404(d), 19-5-203, 8-9-404(b), 8-9-404(c)