Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate to address leaking waste transport vehicles

A new bill filed by State Sen. Kennedy seeks to improve public health safeguards related to solid waste transport and regulatory procedures in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 751 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Protect Children from Leaking Garbage Trucks.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to enhance public health protections by addressing issues related to solid waste transport vehicles that leak. It repeals Section 59.2 of S.L. 2013-413, directing the Commission for Public Health to readopt a previous rule identical to 15A NCAC 13B .0105 as it stood on Aug. 22, 2013. The readopted rule will bypass certain procedural requirements, becoming effective as if 10 or more objections had been raised. Until the new rule is effective, the Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality must implement the prior version of 15A NCAC 13B .0105. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Kennedy proposed the most bills (28) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.