Allowing property owners to temporarily opt out of solid waste collection and disposal services, and providing penalties

This bill relates to solid waste collection and disposal services by creating exemptions for service charges. The bill allows real property owners to opt out of solid waste collection and disposal services (services) provided or contracted by a county or city if the property is an eligible homestead for which the property owner is receiving a homestead credit, the property owner submits a completed application that requests an opt-out period not exceeding five months, and the property owner submits the application at least eight weeks prior to the start of the opt-out period. Any fee associated with the services from the county or city shall be suspended during the opt-out period. The opt-out period will continue until the end date of the opt-out period as provided on the application or if the real property owner files an amended application to opt back in to the services. To opt out of services, the real property owner must submit to the county or city an application that provides information necessary to show proof of ownership and any information necessary to approve the suspension of services for the opt-out period. The county or city may impose an application fee not to exceed $5 for each month of the requested opt-out period, which fee shall be refunded within days if the application is denied. An application must be approved unless unsatisfactory information is provided. A property owner may file only one application to opt out of services in a 12-month period. Services and the imposition of fees shall resume upon the expiration of the opt-out period. A property owner who knowingly provides false information on an application filed pursuant to the bill is subject to civil penalties.