RECYCLING NEWS:
April 17, 2010
 A Public Service Announcement from the Berkeley County Solid Waste Authority
                        Governor Manchin Signs New Litter Law
 On March 31, 2010, Governor Manchin signed Senate Bill 627 into law. SB 627 amended WV Code §22-15A-3 and §22-15A-4  relating to the crime of littering. SB 627 was introduced by Senator(s) Ron Stollings (Boone), Richard Browning (Wyoming) and John Unger (Berkeley) and enjoyed broad support in both the House of Delegates and the State Senate.
This law requires the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to encourage, organize, coordinate and increase public awareness, and participation in, a volunteer litter reporting program state-wide. In addition,  this law increases the fines for any person who is convicted of littering or open dumping. 
 
The breakdown of the new litter fines are:
 
a) Any person convicted of littering is guilty of a misdemeanor.  
b) Any person who dumps less than one hundred pounds is subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 but not more than $1,000.00.
c) Any person who dumps more than one hundred pounds but less than five hundred pounds is subject to a fine of not less than $1,000.00  but not more than $2,000.00. 
d) Any person who dumps more than five hundred pounds is subject to a fine not less than $2,500.00 but not more than $25,000 or confinement in jail for not more than one year.  
e) Any person who is convicted of littering shall pay a civil penalty not less than $200.00  nor more than $1,000.00. 
 
The new law is effective June 11, 2010.  

To learn more about SB 627, visit the WV Legislative Services website at www.legis.state.wv.us