HB 2294 Increase Fine for Littering

[bigtex]

HB 2294 introduced today by Representatives Pike, Wylie, Stonier, Vick, Harris, Blake, Farrell, and Moeller would increase the penalty for the lowest level littering violation.

It is currently a Class 3 civil infraction to litter an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot. Per state law a Class 3 civil infraction fine is $50 plus statutory assessments which bring the fine to $103. The bill would classify the offense as a Class 2 civil infraction which per state law has a fine of $125 plus statutory assessments. Statutory assessments essentially double the fine, so the fine would be around $250.

http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=2294&year=2013

[jrebel]

I wish it was more....the one thing I hate more than anything is the amount of garbage on our roads and in our woods.

[vandeman17]

Its funny because I was thinking the other day about this and how I wished they would increase the fine. I also think that if you get caught you should not only have to clean it up but go do a few hours of cleanup somewhere else. Non negotiable.

[lokidog]

Hey, look at that, a poll that we all agree on, so far anyways.   

They also need to make tossing lit cigs out the car window a $1000 fine.

Does an LEO have to observe the littering or can a private citizen bear witness to it?  I'd be more than happy to go to court to testify.

[bobcat]

Sounds good to me. How about also making it a felony for an illegal immigrant to litter on public land.  (Brush pickers)     

[bigtex]

They also need to make tossing lit cigs out the car window a $1000 fine.

Does an LEO have to observe the littering or can a private citizen bear witness to it?  I'd be more than happy to go to court to testify.

The fine for discarding potentially dangerous litter such as a cig is $1025

An officer can issue a citation if they can prove there was reasonable cause the violation occurred.

[PlateauNDN]

I seen Nevada's littering fine was 2500. And idaho was bout the same. I seen a sign near vegas said 5000. So maybe ours should be close to theirs?

[steeleywhopper]

Washington needs even stiffer fines. Our state is disgusting compared to Idaho Wyoming and Montana. Heck, even B.C. has super clean highways.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Needs to be way higher. 2000-5000$?

[Band]

Absolutely, yes.  And fine like there's no tomorrow for those littered cigarettes!  Make it hurt!!

[Heredoggydoggy]

Yeah, like the present laws do any good.  Seen all the couches and TVs along side the roads?  WMI increased their fees a while back.  The result was even more garbage dumped everywhere. 

[Wea300mag]

 , I'm all for it.

[safehunter]

  I say minimum of a grand for garbage and at least $5000 for flicking a lit cig out the window! Late last summer coming back home on I90 had a VW with Oregon plates, rainbow sticker, two guys( yeah I guess cute ), passenger was taking pictures out the window. I thought maybe on their honeymoon? Then the SOB throw's out a freaking cig. Not in front of me without getting a 5 minute horn blare and a peace sign missing a digit!!!!!!

[Pinetar]

Yes, Yes and Yes! The fine should be way more and if caught a second time doubled.

[TheHunt]

It needs to be much higher. I would also like to see some much higher fines for dumping.