HB5606 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 17383 CPF 66788 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB5606

Introduced , by Rep. Joyce Mason

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Renters' Right to Recycle Act. Requires owners of multifamily dwellings to arrange for recycling services that are appropriate to the multifamily dwelling, including, but not limited to, the provision of on-site paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling containers for tenants. Provides exceptions for multifamily dwellings with inadequate space for recycling containers, that do not have a solid waste enterprise providing recycling services that serve the location, or for which the cost of recycling services creates a financial hardship for the building owner. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to implement, administer, and enforce the Act, adopt necessary rules, and allows residents of multifamily dwellings to file claims with the Agency stating that the owner of the unit in which the resident resides is in violation of the Act. Provides that violators of the Act's provisions may be assessed a civil penalty in an amount to be determined by the Agency. Provides that the Act does not interfere with or prevent a unit of local government from requiring recycling services for multifamily dwellings.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning safety.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Renters' Right to Recycle Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The provision of recycling services at residential dwellings is one of the most effective means of increasing the diversion and recycling of solid waste.

(2) The intent of this Act is to provide convenient recycling opportunities for Illinoisans residing in multifamily dwelling units who currently do not have access to recycling services at their places of residence.

(3) This Act would bolster Illinois' leadership in recycling and conservation and help the State achieve its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Section 10. Definitions.

"Agency" means the Environmental Protection Agency.

"Multifamily dwelling" means a dwelling which is either rented out to be occupied or is occupied as the residence or home of 5 or more families or persons living independently from each other.

"Solid waste enterprise" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated private association, or other business organization regularly engaged in the business of providing solid waste handling services.

"Solid waste handling services" means the collection, transportation, storage, transfer, or processing of solid waste for residential, commercial, institutional, or industrial users or customers.

Section 15. Recycling services for multifamily dwellings. The owner of a multifamily dwelling shall arrange for recycling services that are appropriate to the multifamily dwelling, including, but not limited to, the provision of on-site paper, plastic, and aluminum recycling containers for tenants, consistent with State and local law or requirements applicable to the collection, handling, or recycling of solid waste.

Section 20. Exceptions. An owner of a multifamily dwelling is not required to arrange for recycling services under this Act if any of the following apply:

(1) There is inadequate space for recycling containers, as certified by a solid waste enterprise that would otherwise serve the multifamily dwelling. The certification required under this paragraph shall be provided to the Agency, shall be valid for no more than 5 years after the date of certification, and shall include all of the following:

(A) the address of the multifamily dwelling;

(B) the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the multifamily dwelling owner;

(C) the name, address, telephone number, business license number, and email address of the solid waste enterprise making the required certification;

(D) the date of certification; and

(E) the name and title of the person making the certification.

(2) No solid waste enterprise providing recycling services serves the multifamily dwelling.

(3) The cost of recycling services creates a financial hardship for the multifamily dwelling owner. A multifamily dwelling owner may claim a financial hardship under this paragraph only if the recycling services result in a cost increase of 30% or more over the cost of providing solid waste services alone. A claim of financial hardship under this paragraph shall be provided to the Agency, shall be valid for no more than 5 years after the date of the claim, and shall include all of the following:

(A) the address of the multifamily dwelling;

(B) the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the multifamily dwelling owner;

(C) the name, address, telephone number, business license number, and email address of the solid waste enterprise making the required certification;

(D) the date of certification; and

(E) the name and title of the person making the certification.

Section 25. Administration and enforcement; rules; resident complaints.

(a) The Agency shall implement, administer, and enforce this Act and may adopt any rules necessary for its implementation, administration, or enforcement.

(b) A resident of a multifamily dwelling may file a claim with the Agency stating that the owner of the unit in which the resident resides is in violation of this Act.

Section 30. Violations. Any person who violates this Act, or any rule adopted by the Agency under this Act, may be assessed a civil penalty by the Agency in an amount to be determined by the Agency.

Section 35. Units of local government. This Act does not interfere with or prevent a unit of local government from requiring recycling services for multifamily dwellings.