2014 -- S 2721 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, Goodwin, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 37-15-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 37-15 entitled "Litter

Control and Recycling" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     37-15-7. Penalties. -- (a) Any person convicted of a first violation of this chapter shall,

except where a penalty is specifically set forth, be subject to a fine of not less than eighty-five

dollars ($85.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) one thousand dollars ($1,000). In

addition to or in lieu of the fine imposed hereunder, the person so convicted may be ordered to

pick up litter for not less than two (2), nor more than twenty-five (25) hours.

      (b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this chapter shall,

except where a penalty is specifically set forth, be subject to a fine of not less than three hundred

dollars ($300) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) five thousand dollars ($5,000). In

addition to or in lieu of the fine imposed upon a second or subsequent violation of this chapter,

the person so convicted may be ordered to pick up litter for not less than four (4), nor more than

fifty (50) hours.

      (c) Jurisdiction to punish violators of the provisions of this chapter is conferred on the

traffic tribunal.

      (d) Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall, in addition to all other

penalties, be liable for the removal of all litter or ordered to pay restitution for the cost of removal

of all litter illegally disposed of by that person. The traffic tribunal may hold the registration of

any vehicle owned by the violator and used in the act of littering until the aforementioned liability

is satisfied.

      (e) The funds received by a state law enforcement agency shall be deposited as general

revenues.

      (f) Penalties of eighty-five dollars ($85.00) for violations of section 37-15-7 may be

disposed of without the necessity of personally appearing before the traffic tribunal. Said penalty

may be handled administratively by mailing a check or money order, together with properly

executed form provided to the appropriate address as set forth in the summons issued by the

enforcing agent.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS

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     This act would raise the maximum penalties for littering from five hundred dollars ($500)

to one thousand dollars ($1000) for the first offense and from five hundred dollars ($500) to five

thousand dollars ($5,000) for a subsequent offense.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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