Increases fines for littering; requires DOT to develop program for litter reporting.
If enacted, A2118 will adjust the fines for littering offenses, raising the minimum and maximum penalties by $100 each. Specifically, it sets a fine for littering between $200 and $600 for petty disorderly persons offenses and establishes harsher penalties for repeat offenders. The increased fines aim to deter littering behavior and funnel additional resources into litter control initiatives. Notably, the bill mandates that a portion of fines collected will be allocated to fund the new reporting program, thereby creating a self-sustaining initiative aimed at reducing littering across the state.
Assembly Bill A2118 proposes to increase penalties for littering in New Jersey. The legislation amends existing statutes related to littering and aims to enhance efforts to combat littering through a new program developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The bill will not only increase the fines associated with littering but will also create a reporting mechanism that allows citizens to report littering incidents easily, using both electronic platforms and a mobile application. This reporting system is inspired by a similar program in North Carolina known as 'Swat-A-Litterbug.'
The bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance between community enforcement of environmental regulations and the potential for overreach by the state. While proponents argue that the bill will empower citizens and provide them with the tools necessary to maintain a cleaner environment, skeptics are concerned about the possible implications for civil liberties and whether increased surveillance and penalties are necessary to effect behavioral change. The success of the bill will largely depend on public reception and how the program is implemented in practice.