The bill amends the existing Used Tire Recycling and Accountability Act, renaming it the Tire Management and Recycling Act, with the goal of improving public health and environmental quality through enhanced standards for the handling of recyclable, waste, and used tires. Key changes include the repeal of the Used Tire Recycling Fund and the establishment of a new Waste Tire Abatement Fund, which will be created on January 1, 2026. The bill introduces new definitions, clarifies the roles of stakeholders such as tire retailers and processors, and emphasizes the importance of recycling while prohibiting open burning of tires. It also modifies the fee structure for tire retailers, reducing the commercial generator fee from three dollars to one dollar and fifty cents per new tire sold.

Additionally, the bill outlines new requirements for tire collection centers, mandates the submission of business plans by used tire programs, and establishes a tire accountability board for oversight. It introduces provisions for the licensing of tire transporters, specifying penalties for repeated license suspensions, and clarifies liability for costs associated with waste tire abatement. The bill also modifies the rim removal fee structure, maintaining the current fees until January 1, 2026, after which a new fee will be imposed. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of tire recycling and disposal processes in Arkansas while ensuring accountability and compliance among involved parties.

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)