RI Legislature Approves Hike in Max Littering Fines

The General Assembly has passed and sent to the governor for his consideration legislation to increase the fines for littering in Rhode Island.

The General Assembly approved 2014-S 2721A, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence), as well as a companion House bill, 2014-H 8177A, sponsored by Rep. Scott A. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence).

The legislation, if enacted into law, will increase the fine for littering from a maximum of $500 to $1,000. (The minimum would remain at $85, as would the requirement that the offending individual also pick up litter for a period of between 2 and 25 hours.)

A second or subsequent offense would see a hike in the maximum fine from the current $500 to $5,000.

Under the legislation, any persons convicted of a violation of littering would also be liable for the removal of all litter or ordered to pay restitution for the cost of removal.

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