Urges Governor to make appointments to "Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management" and "Recycling Market Development Council."
Impact
The resolution highlights the critical need for active councils particularly in light of increased challenges in solid waste management, exacerbated by issues such as the halt of recyclable material processing by China. This has driven up costs for residents and led to a growing pile of recyclables in warehouses and landfills, disrupting local recycling efforts. By urging the Governor to appoint members, the resolution aims to enhance the state’s capabilities in managing waste and improving recycling practices, thus directly impacting local regulations and processes.
Summary
Senate Resolution 79 urges the Governor of New Jersey to make necessary appointments to the 'Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management' and the 'Recycling Market Development Council'. Established under the Solid Waste Management Act of 1970, the Advisory Council's purpose is to serve as a bridge between regulators, healthcare industry members, and citizens to improve solid waste management policies. Recent inactivity has led to the expiration of terms for public members, which this resolution addresses by requesting new appointments to reactivate its functioning.
Contention
While the bill broadly aims to improve waste management in New Jersey, it also touches upon contentious points regarding the effectiveness of existing policies and the need for community involvement in decision-making. The lack of appointments to the councils in recent years presents concerns over governance and local autonomy in solid waste management issues, suggesting an ongoing debate around regulatory dynamics and community engagement in state-level environmental policy.
Occupational and professional boards, the midwest interstate passenger rail compact, prison industry advisory committee, energy policy commission, medical marijuana advisory committee, onsite wastewater recycling technical committee, state board of water well contractors, committee on aging, brain injury advisory council, early childhood council, unemployment insurance advisory council, commission on the status of women, health information technology advisory committee, poet laureate nominating board, rural development council, America 250 commission, atmospheric resource board, and Devils Lake outlet management advisory committee; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.