Arizona’s solid waste fund supports recycling grants and education

The law allows solid waste fee fund money to support grants, recycling education, research, and technical assistance. Grants may go to local governments, nonprofit groups, or private businesses for research, projects, new technology, market development, or efforts to reduce waste. Spending is subject to legislative appropriation. For public information, education, and technical assistance, counties with fewer than 500,000 people must receive benefits in proportion to their contributions to the fund. An advisory committee advises the director on recycling grants, education, and technical help; its members are unpaid. These uses apply to fund spending under the law.

The law requires cities and towns providing waste or recycling services outside their borders to keep separate records and make tax-equivalent contributions and payments. The requirements cover city or town waste collection, landfill, or recycling services provided outside municipal boundaries. Exceptions apply to certain nearby unincorporated areas, some small cities or towns, and disposal of noncommercial household waste at a municipal landfill. Cities and towns may still make mutual aid or intergovernmental agreements for emergency assistance. The requirements apply when a city or town provides the covered services outside its boundaries.

The law allows some public water systems to make specified line, valve, or related part changes without plan review. This applies to changes to a water line, valve, or related part in a public water system. The system must follow department rules or make satisfactory progress under an approved schedule. The changed part must keep the same capacity, function, and performance and remain in the same right-of-way or easement. The system must notify the department after the work is completed. The system must notify the department after completing work under the exemption.