Appropriations committee backs raising hazardous waste cleanup fund cap; DEQ explains revenue volatility

Vice Chair Representative Zareng asked the committee to raise the statutory cap on the Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup Fund, currently set at $6,000,000 since 1997, so the Department of Environmental Quality can commit to larger contracts for cleanup work.

"I would like to ask your favorable passage of this bill, which essentially increases the cap on the Hazard Waste Cleanup Site Fund," Vice Chair Zareng said.

DEQ Deputy Secretary Nathan McBride told legislators the department has rulemaking under way to add flexibility for property owners and that revenues feeding the cleanup fund vary significantly year to year. He cited recent figures in committee: fiscal year 2025 receipts about $5,100,000 and fiscal year 2024 about $8,600,000; fines and penalties can range from roughly $2,000,000 to $11,000,000 depending on enforcement and collections.

Members asked whether the department could rely on transfers from the environmental trust fund; DEQ said statutory purposes differ and historically the agency has not moved money between accounts. Representative Lyons asked about the effect of disbanding a task force on stakeholder input; DEQ said it can still convene stakeholders and accept legislative input.

Representative Fisher moved the bill and it was adopted favorable by unanimous consent.

Next steps: the bill moves to the House floor where lawmakers will consider the statutory cap change and any implementing language; the committee record does not include a committee roll-call tally.