The proposed bill would amend several sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes related to the Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) by removing certain requirements and establishing new provisions. Specifically, it would eliminate the need for collection and recycling facilities to be authorized by the federal EPA or ADEQ to accept lead acid batteries, as well as the requirement for these facilities to pay initial and annual registration fees. Additionally, the bill would remove lead acid battery collection and recycling fees from the Solid Waste Fee Fund and would establish a state used oil program that cannot be more stringent than federal regulations.

Furthermore, the bill would grant the ADEQ Director the authority to delegate the issuance of open burning permits to local entities and would clarify the enforcement provisions for violations related to open burning. It also extends the deadlines for the U.S. EPA's approval of proposed modifications to vehicle emissions testing and gasoline fuel formulation requirements from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2029. Overall, the bill aims to streamline regulatory processes and reduce financial burdens on facilities while ensuring compliance with federal standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 44-1322, 49-501, 49-802, 49-836, 49-881, 35-146, 35-147, 49-541, 49-402, 49-107, 49-701, 49-837, 49-741
House Engrossed Version: 44-1322, 49-501, 49-802, 49-836, 49-881, 35-146, 35-147, 49-541, 49-402, 49-107, 49-701, 49-837, 49-741