HB 53: Litter Cleanup Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/28/2025 15:02:919 → Substitute #1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Utah's litter and unsecured load laws by creating a new Litter Abatement Fund, modifying penalties for littering and unsecured loads, and establishing a landfill fine for vehicles that do not securely cover their loads. The changes aim to improve road safety, reduce litter, and fund cleanup efforts through a dedicated revenue stream.

Scope change

The bill expands applicability by adding new code sections for litter abatement funding and landfill fines, while also amending existing sections related to highway littering, unsecured loads, and transportation department duties.

FISCAL

Created a new Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to collect and use money for litter cleanup, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement of litter-related laws.

REQUIREMENT

Requires landfills to collect a $10 minimum fine from drivers with unsecured loads, with $5 deposited into the new Litter Abatement Fund starting July 1, 2026.

Updated unsecured load definitions and exemptions, clarifying what materials require covering and adding exemptions for agricultural products and snow removal vehicles.

Requires the Department of Transportation to implement a public service campaign about proper waste disposal and maintaining clean roads, funded through the new litter abatement fund.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed littering penalties from infractions to class C misdemeanors for violations involving throwing lighted materials from moving vehicles, while keeping other littering violations as infractions with fines of $200-$500.

Modified penalty structure for unsecured loads to include misdemeanor classifications based on whether the violation creates hazards or leads to accidents, with higher fines for commercial vehicle violations.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date for the bill as May 7, 2025, with some provisions (like landfill fines) taking effect on July 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

Added new code sections 72-2-135 and 72-7-410, and amended existing sections related to highway littering, unsecured loads, and transportation department duties.

Amended Excerpts 2/28/2025 15:02:919 → Amended 2/28/2025 15:02:919 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's litter and highway safety laws by reorganizing sections, increasing fines for littering violations, and adding cleanup requirements. The changes clarify penalties and enforcement procedures for littering and unsecured loads on public roads.

Scope change

The bill expands enforcement authority for littering violations and adds specific cleanup obligations for offenders.

ENFORCEMENT

Penalties for littering violations increased from class C misdemeanor to infraction with minimum fines of $200 for first violation and $500 for repeat violations within three years.

Highway Patrol duties expanded to include enforcement of state laws governing use of capitol hill.

REQUIREMENT

Offenders must now devote at least eight hours to cleaning up litter caused by their violation plus existing litter from a safe area designated by the judge.

DEFINITION

Section renumbered and reorganized to clarify the definition of lighted material and enforcement procedures.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/28/2025 15:02:919 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the penalty for throwing lighted material from a moving vehicle from an infraction to a class C misdemeanor, and to add a requirement for the Department of Transportation to coordinate with the Utah Highway Patrol Division regarding future highway projects and law enforcement responsibilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to include coordination between the Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol Division for future highway projects and enforcement responsibilities.

ENFORCEMENT

The penalty for throwing lighted material from a moving vehicle was changed from an infraction to a class C misdemeanor, increasing the potential legal consequences for this violation.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the Department of Transportation to coordinate with the Utah Highway Patrol Division regarding future highway projects and potential changes in law enforcement responsibilities.

Substitute #4 → Substitute #5 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies Utah's litter and unsecured load laws by creating a new Litter Abatement Fund, adjusting registration fee allocations, and changing penalties for littering and unsecured loads. The changes aim to improve road safety, fund cleanup efforts, and increase enforcement of littering and cargo security laws.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of litter enforcement by adding a specific fine for unsecured loads at landfills and creating a dedicated revenue fund for litter cleanup efforts.

FISCAL

Created a new Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to finance litter cleanup, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement activities.

Modified registration fee allocations to direct fees from vintage vehicles and specific load types into the new Litter Abatement Fund.

REQUIREMENT

Added a $10 minimum fine at landfills for vehicles arriving with unsecured loads, with $5 deposited into the Litter Abatement Fund.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed littering penalties from infractions to class C misdemeanors for throwing lighted materials from moving vehicles.

Increased penalties for unsecured loads, now ranging from class C to class A misdemeanors depending on whether accidents or serious injuries occur.

TIMELINE

Set different effective dates for various provisions, with most changes taking effect May 7, 2025, and registration fee changes taking effect January 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'unsecured load' and 'landfill' to clarify enforcement standards.

Substitute #3 → Substitute #4 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill substitutes a new version of HB 53 that expands the scope of amendments to include additional Utah Code sections related to vehicle registration and fees, while maintaining the core provisions on litter cleanup, unsecured loads, and landfill fines. The new version adds amendments to vehicle registration fee disposition laws and includes an effective date provision for the registration fee changes.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include amendments to vehicle registration fee laws (Sections 41-1a-1201 and 41-1a-1206) in addition to the original litter and unsecured load provisions.

SCOPE

Added amendments to vehicle registration fee disposition (Sections 41-1a-1201 and 41-1a-1206) to direct certain registration fees to the Transportation Investment Fund and other restricted accounts instead of just the Transportation Fund.

TIMELINE

Added an effective date provision for the registration fee amendments (effective January 1, 2026) while keeping the litter and unsecured load provisions effective May 7, 2025.

TECHNICAL

Updated the highlighted provisions list to reflect the expanded scope including directing certain fees to the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund.

Changed the Utah Code Sections Affected list to include the new registration fee sections (41-1a-1201 and 41-1a-1206) and updated effective dates for all amended sections.

Substitute #2 → Substitute #3 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill version removes the creation of a new Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund and eliminates the landfill fine provision for unsecured loads that were added in the previous version. The remaining provisions focus on litter cleanup penalties, highway littering definitions, and Department of Transportation duties without the new funding mechanisms.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly reduced by removing the establishment of a new special revenue fund and the imposition of a landfill fine for unsecured loads, which were key provisions in the previous version.

FISCAL

Removed the creation of the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund that was intended to collect fees and fines for litter cleanup efforts.

Removed the requirement for landfills to report annual violations to the Department of Environmental Quality.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the provision imposing a $10 minimum landfill fine for vehicles with unsecured loads.

Removed the requirement for the Department of Transportation to implement a public service campaign about waste disposal and clean highways.

DEFINITION

Simplified the list of affected Utah Code sections by removing references to the new fund and landfill fine sections.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates a new Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to finance litter cleanup efforts and public awareness campaigns. It modifies vehicle registration fee allocations to direct specific fees to this new fund, changes littering penalties from infractions to misdemeanors for certain violations, and establishes a $10 minimum fine for unsecured loads at public landfills. The bill also updates definitions of unsecured loads and expands enforcement authority.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of litter enforcement by creating a dedicated funding mechanism and increasing penalties for littering and unsecured loads, particularly affecting drivers and landfill operators.

FISCAL

Created a new Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to receive registration fees and landfill fines for litter cleanup and public awareness campaigns

Changed registration fee allocations to direct fees from vintage vehicles and specific load categories to the new Litter Abatement Fund instead of other funds

ENFORCEMENT

Upgraded littering penalties from infractions to class C misdemeanors for throwing lighted materials from moving vehicles

REQUIREMENT

Added a $10 minimum fine for unsecured loads at public landfills, with half going to the Litter Abatement Fund

DEFINITION

Expanded definition of unsecured load to include dirt, sand, gravel, scrap metal, and other loose materials not properly covered

TIMELINE

Set effective dates of May 7, 2025 for most provisions and January 1, 2026 for registration fee changes

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill establishes a new Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to finance litter cleanup, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement. It creates a $10 minimum landfill fee for unsecured loads starting in 2026, increases penalties for littering offenses, and modifies how certain registration fees are allocated to fund these efforts.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of litter enforcement by adding a specific landfill fee for unsecured loads and creating a dedicated revenue fund for litter abatement activities.

FISCAL

Created the Litter Abatement Expendable Special Revenue Fund to receive registration fees and landfill fees for litter cleanup and enforcement.

Modified registration fee allocations to redirect $2 from certain vehicle registration fees to the new litter fund.

REQUIREMENT

Imposed a $10 minimum landfill fee for vehicles with unsecured loads, with $5 deposited to the new litter fund.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased penalties for littering violations, including class C misdemeanor charges for throwing lighted materials from moving vehicles.

TIMELINE

Set effective date of May 7, 2025, with the landfill fee beginning no later than July 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Defined 'unsecured load' to include materials not sufficiently covered, confined, or fastened to prevent escaping the vehicle.

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