Increasing penalties for littering.
The effective date set for this bill is January 1, 2023. This legislation will notably elevate the financial ramifications of littering, aiming to deter individuals from littering in the first place. The bill anticipates an indeterminable increase in revenue for the state’s highway fund through these increased fines, but it also underscores the intention of promoting responsible behaviors regarding public spaces and the environment. The hope is that higher penalties will lead to cleaner roadways and surrounding areas, benefiting the community's aesthetic and ecological health.
House Bill 1461 aims to strengthen the penalties associated with littering in New Hampshire by amending the relevant statute, RSA 265:102. Under the proposed changes, individuals found guilty of littering will face increased fines, with a first offense incurring a fine of $300, and subsequent offenses carrying a fine of $500. Furthermore, for any individual convicted of a third or subsequent littering offense, there will be an automatic suspension of their driver's license for 90 days, significantly increasing the stakes for habitual offenders.
Despite the focus on litter prevention, the bill does face potential criticism and contention. Some may argue that these increased fines could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals, making it a financial burden for those who may not be able to afford the higher penalties. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the enforcement of these regulations—how strictly they will be imposed and whether there is sufficient public awareness about the changes in penalties. The automatic driver’s license suspension, in particular, raises concerns about its adequacy as a deterrent against littering versus the potential inconvenience and hardship it may cause to offenders.
The fiscal impact of this bill includes an anticipated increase in expenditures for the Department of Safety related to updating systems and materials, estimated at around $97,500 for FY 2023. However, ongoing costs are not expected to escalate significantly after the initial implementation. The unknown factor remains how many citations will be issued, as the department lacks current mechanisms to predict ticket volumes effectively or to determine future compliance trends concerning littering behavior.