Allowing Certain Landfill Fee Waivers

HB 156 grants municipalities the authority to waive disposal fees or "tipping fees" in municipal landfills for waste material resulting from renovations that take place on "deteriorated properties" as defined in Alaska Statute 29.45.050(o).

When run-down properties are allowed to go unattended and unrepaired, the negative impact on communities and their surrounding areas can be severe. Vacant deteriorated properties can become a haven for crime. The blighted conditions lower property values and the standard of living in the communities where they are located.

Currently Alaska statute does not provide for municipalities to waive or reduce tipping fees. HB 156 amends Alaska Statute 29.35.050 to allow municipalities the option, if they choose, to grant disposal fee waivers for properties classified as deteriorated.

This measure will create an avenue, at no cost to the State, to allow cities to provide incentives to property owners to renovate and improve "deteriorated properties," and by doing so, encourage economic redevelopment in municipalities across the State of Alaska.