This bill requires the Department of Environmental Services to contract for an assessment of the current set-back requirements for permitting new solid waste facilities. The department must prepare a draft request for proposals by October 1, 2023, and issue the final request for proposals by December 1, 2023. The assessment will include an evaluation of the environmental, safety, and technical aspects of set-back requirements and related protections in current state law and administrative rules. The selected contractor must complete the assessment and submit a final report within 180 days after contract approval. The department must make the final report available to the public and accept public comment for at least 45 days.

The bill also appropriates $150,000 to the Department of Environmental Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, to fund the contract for the assessment. The appropriation is nonlapsing. The bill takes effect on June 30, 2023, except for Section 2, which takes effect upon passage. The fiscal impact of the bill is estimated to be $150,000 in FY 2023 for the appropriation, with no additional revenue and $50,000 in expenditures in FY 2024 and $100,000 in expenditures in FY 2025. The bill is not expected to have an impact on county and local expenditures or revenues.