Recycling; Department of Environmental Management required to issue credits; Department of Revenue required to accept credits in lieu of fees; civil penalties established

HB 381 requires Alabama’s Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to issue "recycle credits" to businesses that use recyclable materials to produce new products or energy. These credits can be used by businesses to pay solid waste disposal fees instead of cash, replacing fees for one ton or four cubic yards of waste. Credits can be transferred to other businesses for a fee but expire after three years or when used. The bill also establishes civil penalties of up to $1,000 for falsifying credit applications and directs fees collected to three funds: 40% to the Solid Waste Fund, 40% to DEM for administration, and 20% to the Alabama Recycling Fund.