Cigarettes; deemed litter for purposes of criminal punishment for improper disposal of trash. (HB1367)

Introduced By

Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond) with support from co-patron Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Mount Vernon)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Littering; cigarettes, civil penalty. Includes cigarettes specifically in the category of things deemed litter for purposes of criminal punishment for improper disposal of trash. The bill also provides that in lieu of the imposition of the Class 1 misdemeanor criminal penalty, the court may order the defendant to perform community service in litter abatement activities. If the offense involves a cigarette or cigarettes, the court shall order the payment of a $100 civil penalty payable to the Litter Control and Recycling Fund established in 10.1-1422.01 in addition to the imposition of such community service. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/06/2012Committee
12/06/2012Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/13 13101401D
12/06/2012Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/15/2013Impact statement from DPB (HB1367)
01/15/2013Referred from Transportation
01/15/2013Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/17/2013Assigned Courts sub: #1 Criminal
01/21/2013Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely
02/05/2013Left in Courts of Justice

Comments

stephen writes:

I can see the litter police following smokers down the side walk with this bill, or walking around yards looking for butts. With all thats wrong with this state I have to think Mr. Morrissey needs to get out more.

Aaron writes:

I totally support this bill. Walk around the state capitol grounds sometime. The state workers and workers from VCU hospital use the capitol grounds as a smoke station. They smoke everywhere. There is no designated station. They extenguish their cigarettes on state property leaving burn marks and many of them leave it right on the ground. Walk behind the Patrick Henry Building. It is terrible. Smoke filled air, litter, and damage to state property. All the state delegates and executive offices see this daily. They have done nothing to stop it. Irresponsible and nasty; Yes, to this bill and push for more bans on smoking and more strict designated places for smokers.

Mary writes:

I work near the Patrick Henry Building. All state workers that smoke around here use the ashtrays provided and smoke far away from any entrance and passers-by are NOT forced to walk near the ashtrays or smokers. There are however, several folks coming from "across the street" that don't quite have the manners they should. Unless it's private property, you can not ban them. I am not sure where all the litter and damage to state property that Aaron is implying to, but maybe he should take a walk around the Capital and find all the used bubble gum. Now that is descructive, gross and nasty.