CULLMAN, Ala. – Litter in Alabama and you could face much harsher penalties now due to a new litter law passed earlier this year by the Alabama Legislature. The new law went into effect Sept. 1, bringing with it higher fines, community service and even possible jail time.
Littering had been a Class C misdemeanor, but the new law makes it a Class B misdemeanor. Introduced as HB500 by Rep. Margie Wilcox, R-Mobile, the law targets littering from vehicles and watercraft.
The first littering offense carries a fine of $500, doubling the previous amount. A second offense could result in fines up to $3,000, up to six months in jail and up to 100 hours of community service picking up litter.
The bill states:
“Related to littering to amend Sections 13A-7-29, 23-5-6, 32-5-76, 32-5A-60, and 33610, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide additional penalties for littering of cigarettes, cigars, containers of urine, restaurant food containers, and other specified waste items; to include within the enhanced penalties increased fines and mandatory community service requirements when littering is committed from a motor vehicle….”
The bill also adds that there will be no defense for those who did not intend to litter or are unaware of the act.
Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long said litter laws have been on the books in Alabama for years and if his officers see someone littering, they will pull them over.
“We pick up tons of litter up and down the highway all the time,” said Long. “One of the worst problems we have is stuff falling off the log trucks. From LP to City Hall, they pick up 5-gallon buckets of their tickets all summer and all year long.”
Long pointed out that a private company owns the log trucks, not LP (Louisiana-Pacific Corporation).
Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope shared with The Tribune, “Litter is one thing I despise. I have been to a lot of states and Alabama has some of the most littered roads in the country. It’s a shame that people don’t have any more pride in their community than to purposely throw garbage out on the roads and waterways.
“I’m usually for smaller government with less interference in to our daily life, but I’m for passing whatever it takes to help combat our growing litter problem. I am amazed at the people who will throw trash out the window or go and dump a load of garbage on a rural road and not think twice about it.
“A lot of tax dollars are spent every year cleaning up people’s mess. This is money that could be going for better roads, parks, schools, etc. When I was the mayor of Good Hope, the employees would aggravate me and say my slogan is ‘Trash and grass.’ I was obsessed with having nice clean streets. I would encourage anyone that doesn’t think we have a litter problem to go clean up trash for a mile. Then go back a week later and see just how much garbage has been thrown out in a week’s time. I bet most people would be shocked if they really pay attention. Let’s work together and keep our roads and waterways clean.”
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