Bill > HB641

This bill amends Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) 224.50-760 to expand the beneficial reuse of coal combustion by-products, which are classified as "special wastes" - a category of industrial waste considered to be high-volume but low-hazard. Specifically, the bill allows coal combustion by-products or utility wastes that qualify as special wastes to be reused at underground or surface coal mines for various purposes such as structural fill, backfill, mine stabilization, and reclamation material. The bill provides a significant new provision that allows the land reclaimed using these materials to be used for any suitable purpose, including agricultural uses. This change is notable because it provides more flexibility for repurposing land after mining operations and creates a potential pathway for recycling coal-related industrial waste. The bill maintains existing regulatory oversight, requiring that such reuse comply with existing regulations from the state's environmental protection cabinet and be consistent with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, ensuring that environmental safety standards are still maintained while promoting innovative land and waste management practices.