BILL ANALYSIS

               House Bill 1052

                   Littering Penalties

Brief Description:Increasing penalities for littering.

Committee:   Natural Resources

Sponsor(s):     Representatives Pennington, Carlson and Boldt

Background:

The penalty for littering is a civil infraction.  Littering in amounts of one cubic foot or less is subject to a penalty of $50.  Littering in amounts greater than one cubic foot is subject to penalty of up to $250 and a cleanup fee of $25 per cubic foot of litter.   A judge may require a litter violator to remove the litter from the property as an alternative, or in addition, to the monetary penalty and cleanup fee.  The district and municipal courts assess a fee equal to 90% of the monetary penalty charged for all civil infractions except for parking infractions. 

Legislation enacted in 1996 requires a person who litters in a state park to perform 24 hours of community service in the park where the litter violation occurred if the park has agreed to participate in the community service program.  The community service requirement is in addition to the monetary penalties.

The Director of the Department of Ecology is authorized but not required to develop procedures for the collection of litter penalties.

Summary:

A 24 hour community service requirement is added for any litter violation that occurs on a highway, road, street, or alley.  The Department of Ecology is required to develop procedures for the collection of litter penalties.  These provisions must allow half of all litter penalty collections to be distributed to local governments.  Out of state residents may pay an additional fine of three hundred dollars in lieu of the community service requirement.

                     Prepared by Rick Anderson (786-7114)

                       House Natural Resources Committee

                               January 28, 1997