FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wyss bill would assess new penalties for littering
A $200 fine would benefit local law enforcement, beautification projects
STATEHOUSE – A fast-food wrapper here, a soft drink can there. Soon, says State Sen. Tom Wyss, you’re talking about a major mess.
Wyss (R-Fort Wayne) said it has happened millions of times in just the past two years – litter carelessly thrown out of a motor vehicle alongside an Indiana highway. In fact, Wyss said it happened so many times the Indiana Department of Transportation said about 225,560 pounds of trash were collected in along roadsides in 2006, and another 176,822 pounds in 2007.
This unsightly scene prompted Wyss to author Senate Bill 163, which establishes a $200 highway beautification fee to be assessed against a person who has committed littering. This is above and beyond normal fines levied for the offense.
“Littering is such a preventable and unnecessary problem,” Wyss said. “It costs our state thousands of dollars each year in clean-up and harms the appearance of our state. I hope this legislation acts as a deterrent to those who carelessly litter.”
Wyss’ bill would have 50 percent of proceeds deposited into the Highway Beautification Fund with 50 percent going to the county auditor for distribution to the law enforcement agency that issued the citation. Money distributed to the law enforcement agency could be used for any law enforcement purpose.
“While this bill is meant to be a deterrent to those who would litter, at the same time I hope it serves as an incentive for local law enforcement officers across the state to issue more citations against those who would litter,” Wyss said. “Police agencies stand to benefit from this bill, but the greatest impact will be seen alongside our roads, where Indiana’s natural beauty will be less cluttered with trash.”
Indiana’s Highway Beautification Fund is charged with improving the appearance of the state’s highways. This fund is managed by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
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(Sen. Tom Wyss represents District 15 in the Indiana Senate, which covers portions of Allen County).
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