Louisiana House Bill HB173

Louisiana 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/25
• Refer: 3/31/25
• Refer: 4/14/25
• Report Pass: 4/16/25
• Engrossed: 4/28/25
• Refer: 4/29/25
• Report Pass: 5/14/25
• Enrolled: 5/28/25
• Chaptered: 6/4/25
• Passed: 6/4/25

Caption

Provides relative to expanding the jurisdiction of state park wardens to enforce litter laws statewide

Impact

The bill is expected to have a considerable impact on state laws regarding litter enforcement, significantly expanding the jurisdiction of state park wardens. By enabling wardens to take on the responsibility of enforcing litter laws outside of state parks, the legislation aims to create a more cohesive approach to environmental protection across Louisiana. Moreover, the introduction of civil penalties and adjudicatory hearings could help streamline the process of handling litter violations, potentially leading to increased compliance and reduced littering rates statewide.

Summary

House Bill 173 expands the authority of state park wardens in Louisiana to enforce litter laws statewide. This change allows park wardens to issue citations for littering both through personal encounter and by mail. It also introduces an administrative hearing process for individuals who are cited, giving them an opportunity to contest the violations in a formal setting. This bill signifies an important shift in how Louisiana approaches litter enforcement, aiming to enhance statewide efforts to combat littering.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 173 appears to be positive, as it addresses a pressing environmental issue in a manner that empowers enforcement agencies. Supporters argue that the bill will help improve public spaces and promote cleaner environments. However, discussions may also reveal concerns regarding the burden of fines and the fairness of the adjudicatory process—particularly for individuals who might be cited without a clear understanding of litter laws. As such, while there is broad support for enhanced litter enforcement, the implementation of the bill may prompt ongoing dialogue about its execution and fairness.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB 173 include concerns about the proposed civil penalties and the hearing process. Critics may express worries that the administrative setup could be seen as punitive rather than educational, particularly if defendants are unfamiliar with the legal proceedings. Furthermore, there could be discussions on how the expanded authority of state park wardens might lead to uneven enforcement practices across different regions of Louisiana, depending on resources and training for wardens.