SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1429

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Natural Resources & Parks, April 4, 1997

Title:  An act relating to littering.

Brief Description:  Penalizing cigarette discard.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Sump, O'Brien, Sullivan, Mielke, Mulliken and Sherstad).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  4/4/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Prentice, Snyder, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff:  Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background:  It is a class 3 civil infraction to litter in an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot on state or private land not owned by the person or in the waters of the state.  The maximum and default penalty is $50.

If the violation occurs in a state park, the court shall additionally order the person to perform 24 hours of community service in that state park if the state park has stated an intent to participate in the community service program.

Currently, the maximum and default penalty for a class 1 civil infraction is $250, plus possible statutory assessments (such as possible cleanup fees).

Summary of Bill:  It is a class 1 civil infraction for a person to discard a cigarette, cigar, or other tobacco product that is capable of starting a fire on state or private land not owned by the person or in the waters of the state.  The maximum and default penalty for a violation is $500 for this type of litter.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.