2019 House Bill 4453

Increase landfill permit violation penalties

Introduced in the House

April 11, 2019

Introduced

To increase the fines on landfill operators for not meeting state environmental law standards or operating permit requirements. The bill would increase current fines of up to $1,000 per day to $10,000 per day, and current fines of up to $10,000 per day to $100,000 per day, and current fines of up to $25,000 per day to $250,000 per day. These are civil not criminal penalties, which means the procedural safeguards available to a criminal defendant do not apply. The bill also raises criminal fines, including authorizing a $2.5 million for knowingly releasing pollution with intent to harm people.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary