HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1429
As Reported By House Committee On:
Agriculture & Ecology
Title: An act relating to littering.
Brief Description: Penalizing cigarette discard.
Sponsors: Representatives Sump, O'Brien, Sullivan, Mielke, Mulliken and Sherstad.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Agriculture & Ecology: 2/6/97, 2/13/97 [DPS].
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ECOLOGY
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Chandler, Chairman; Parlette, Vice Chairman; Schoesler, Vice Chairman; Linville, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cooper; Delvin; Koster; Mastin; Regala and Sump.
Staff: Rick Anderson (786-7114).
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.
Summary of Substitute Bill: The penalty for litter infractions involving a cigarette, cigar, or other tobacco product is increased to $500 dollars, if the illegally discarded object is capable of starting a fire.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill established a $500 penalty for any litter infraction involving a tobacco product without regard to its potential to cause a fire.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: When people litter with cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products they pose a great environmental risk. Fires caused as a result of this type of littering can increase erosion, sedimentation, loss of habitat, air pollution, as well as a loss of jobs. Litter penalties should better reflect the risk that this type of littering poses.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Sump, prime sponsor.