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S.B. 44

             1     

PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO SECURE A

             2     
LOAD OR LITTERING ON A HIGHWAY

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Patricia W. Jones

             6     
House Sponsor: Sheryl L. Allen

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      Committee Note:
             10          The Transportation Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             11      General Description:
             12          This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code, Criminal Code, and Transportation Code
             13      by amending provisions relating to failing to secure a load or littering on a highway.
             14      Highlighted Provisions:
             15          This bill:
             16          .    increases the fine for littering on a highway for a second or subsequent violation
             17      within three years of a previous violation;
             18          .    increases the fine for failing to properly secure a load when operating a motor
             19      vehicle on a highway for certain violations;
             20          .    creates the State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account;
             21          .    provides that funds in the State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account shall be
             22      used for:
             23              .    a public education program that informs the public of the requirements of and
             24      penalties for failing to secure a load or littering on a highway; and
             25              .    paying the costs of picking up litter and other debris on a state highway;
             26          .    authorizes the Department of Transportation to make rules implementing a program
             27      to allow a person to report a secured load or litter violation;

             28          .    provides that a portion of the fines and forfeitures collected in a justice court or
             29      district court for a second or subsequent violation of failing to secure a load or
             30      littering on a highway shall be remitted to the State Highway Litter Control
             31      Restricted Account; and
             32          .    makes technical changes.
             33      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             34          None
             35      Other Special Clauses:
             36          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.
             37      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             38      AMENDS:
             39          41-6a-1712, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             40          41-6a-1713, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             41          72-7-409, as last amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 224 and renumbered and
             42      amended by Laws of Utah 1998, Chapter 270
             43          78-3-14.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapters 273 and 349
             44          78-5-116, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapters 273 and 349
             45      ENACTS:
             46          72-2-126, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47          76-10-2701, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48          76-10-2702, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49     
             50      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             51          Section 1. Section 41-6a-1712 is amended to read:
             52           41-6a-1712. Destructive or injurious materials on highways -- Throwing lighted
             53      material from moving vehicle -- Enforcement officers.
             54          (1) A person may not throw, deposit, or discard, or [to] permit to be dropped, thrown,
             55      deposited, or discarded on any public road[,] or highway[, park, recreation area, or other public
             56      or private land, or waterway,] in the state, whether under state, county, municipal, or federal
             57      ownership, any plastic container, glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, barbed wire,
             58      boards, trash or garbage, paper or paper products, or any other substance which would or could:

             59          (a) create a safety or health hazard on the public road or highway; or
             60          (b) mar or impair the scenic aspect or beauty of the [land in the state whether under
             61      private, state, county, municipal, or federal ownership without the permission of the owner or
             62      person having control or custody of the land] public road or highway.
             63          (2) A person who drops, throws, deposits, or discards, or permits to be dropped,
             64      thrown, deposited, or discarded, on any public road[,] or highway[, park, recreation area, or
             65      other public or private land or waterway] any destructive, injurious, or unsightly material shall:
             66          (a) immediately remove the material or cause it to be removed; and
             67          (b) deposit the material in a receptacle designed to receive the material.
             68          (3) A person distributing commercial handbills, leaflets, or other advertising shall take
             69      whatever measures are reasonably necessary to keep the material from littering [public or
             70      private property or] public roadways or highways.
             71          (4) A person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a public road[,] or
             72      highway[, park, recreation area, or other public or private land] shall remove any glass or other
             73      injurious substance dropped from the vehicle on the road or highway [or in the park, recreation
             74      area, or other public or private land].
             75          (5) A person may not throw any lighted material from a moving vehicle.
             76          (6) Except as provided in Section 72-7-409 , any person transporting loose cargo by
             77      truck, trailer, or other motor vehicle shall secure the cargo in a reasonable manner to prevent
             78      the cargo from littering or spilling on both public and private property or public roadways.
             79          [(7) A person in charge of a construction or demolition site shall take reasonable steps
             80      to prevent the accumulation of litter at the construction or demolition site.]
             81          [(8) (a)] (7) A law enforcement officer as defined in Section 53-13-103 [, within the law
             82      enforcement officer's jurisdiction,]:
             83          (a) shall enforce the provisions of this section[.];
             84          (b) [Each officer in Subsection (8)(a) is empowered to] may issue citations to a person
             85      who violates any of the provisions of this section; and
             86          (c) may serve and execute all warrants, citations, and other process issued by any court
             87      in enforcing this section.
             88          [(9) An operator of a park, campground, trailer park, drive-in restaurant, gasoline
             89      service station, shopping center, grocery store parking lot, tavern parking lot, parking lots of

             90      industrial firms, marina, boat launching area, boat moorage and fueling station, public and
             91      private pier, beach, and bathing area shall maintain sufficient litter receptacles on the premises
             92      to accommodate the litter that accumulates.]
             93          [(10)] (8) A municipality within its corporate limits and a county outside of
             94      incorporated municipalities may enact local ordinances to carry out the provisions of this
             95      section.
             96          Section 2. Section 41-6a-1713 is amended to read:
             97           41-6a-1713. Penalty for littering on a highway.
             98          (1) A person who violates any of the provisions of Section 41-6a-1712 is guilty of a
             99      class C misdemeanor and shall be fined:
             100          (a) not less than $100 for [each] a violation[.]; or
             101          (b) not less than $250 for a second or subsequent violation within three years of a
             102      previous violation of this section.
             103          (2) The sentencing judge may require that the offender devote at least [four] eight
             104      hours in cleaning up:
             105          (a) litter caused by [him] the offender; and
             106          (b) existing litter from a safe area designated by the sentencing judge.
             107          Section 3. Section 72-2-126 is enacted to read:
             108          72-2-126. State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account -- Revenue --
             109      Nonlapsing.
             110          (1) There is created a restricted account within the General Fund known as the "State
             111      Highway Litter Control Restricted Account."
             112          (2) The account shall be funded from the following sources:
             113          (a) fines and forfeitures remitted to the account in accordance with Sections 78-3-14.5
             114      and 78-5-116 ;
             115          (b) appropriations made to the account by the Legislature; and
             116          (c) contributions from other public and private sources for deposit into the account.
             117          (3) (a) The account shall earn interest.
             118          (b) All interest earned on account monies shall be deposited into the account.
             119          (4) All monies appropriated to the account are nonlapsing.
             120          (5) The Legislature shall appropriate money in the account to the department.

             121          (6) The commission may authorize the monies deposited into the account to be spent
             122      by the department to pay the costs of:
             123          (a) a public education campaign or program that informs the public of the requirements
             124      of and penalties for failing to secure a load or littering on a highway; and
             125          (b) picking up litter and other roadway debris on a state highway.
             126          Section 4. Section 72-7-409 is amended to read:
             127           72-7-409. Loads on vehicles -- Limitations -- Confining, securing, and fastening
             128      load required -- Penalty.
             129          (1) As used in this section:
             130          (a) "Agricultural product" means any raw product which is derived from agriculture,
             131      including silage, hay, straw, grain, manure, and other similar product.
             132          (b) "Vehicle" has the same meaning set forth in Section 41-1a-102 .
             133          (2) A vehicle may not be operated or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is
             134      constructed or loaded to prevent its contents from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise
             135      escaping.
             136          (3) (a) In addition to the requirements under Subsection (2), a vehicle carrying dirt,
             137      sand, gravel, rock fragments, pebbles, crushed base, aggregate, trash or garbage, any other
             138      similar material, or scrap metal shall have a covering over the entire load unless:
             139          (i) the highest point of the load does not extend above the top of any exterior wall or
             140      sideboard of the cargo compartment of the vehicle; and
             141          (ii) the outer edges of the load are at least six inches below the top inside edges of the
             142      exterior walls or sideboards of the cargo compartment of the vehicle.
             143          (b) The following material is exempt from the provisions of Subsection (3)(a):
             144          (i) hot mix asphalt;
             145          (ii) [construction debris or] scrap metal if the [debris or] scrap metal is a size and in a
             146      form not susceptible to being blown out of the vehicle;
             147          (iii) material being transported across a highway between two parcels of property that
             148      would be contiguous but for the highway that is being crossed; and
             149          (iv) material listed under Subsection (3)(a) that is enclosed on all sides by containers,
             150      bags, or packaging.
             151          (c) A chemical substance capable of coating or bonding a load so that the load is

             152      confined on a vehicle, may be considered a covering for purposes of Subsection (3)(a) so long
             153      as the chemical substance remains effective at confining the load.
             154          (4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to a vehicle or implement of husbandry
             155      carrying an agricultural product, if the agricultural product is:
             156          (a) being transported in a manner which is not a hazard or a potential hazard to the safe
             157      operation of the vehicle or to other highway users; and
             158          (b) loaded in a manner that only allows minimal spillage.
             159          (5) (a) An authorized vehicle performing snow removal services on a highway is
             160      exempt from the requirements of this section if the vehicle's load is screened to a particle size
             161      established by a rule of the department.
             162          (b) This section does not prohibit the necessary spreading of any substance connected
             163      with highway maintenance, construction, securing traction, or snow removal.
             164          (6) A person may not operate a vehicle with a load on any highway unless the load and
             165      any load covering is fastened, secured, and confined to prevent the covering or load from
             166      becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to the safe operation of the vehicle, or to
             167      other highway users.
             168          (7) Before entering a highway, the operator of a vehicle carrying any material listed
             169      under Subsection (3), shall remove all loose material on any portion of the vehicle not designed
             170      to carry the material.
             171          (8) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             172      department may make rules implementing a program that allows a person to report a violation
             173      of this section or Section 41-6a-1712 .
             174          [(8)] (9) (a) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
             175          (b) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not less than:
             176          (i) $100 for a violation; or
             177          (ii) $250 for a second or subsequent violation within three years of a previous violation
             178      of this section.
             179          (c) A person who violates a provision of this section while operating a commercial
             180      vehicle as defined in Section 72-9-102 shall be fined:
             181          (i) not less than $250 for a violation; or
             182          (ii) $500 for a second or subsequent violation within three years of a previous violation

             183      of this section.
             184          Section 5. Section 76-10-2701 is enacted to read:
             185     
Part 27. Littering

             186          76-10-2701. Destructive or injurious materials on parks, recreation areas,
             187      waterways, or other public or private lands -- Enforcement officers -- Litter receptacles
             188      required.
             189          (1) A person may not throw, deposit, or discard, or permit to be dropped, thrown,
             190      deposited, or discarded on any park, recreation area, or other public or private land, or
             191      waterway, any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans, barbed wire, boards, trash or garbage,
             192      paper or paper products, or any other substance which would or could mar or impair the scenic
             193      aspect or beauty of the land in the state whether under private, state, county, municipal, or
             194      federal ownership without the permission of the owner or person having control or custody of
             195      the land.
             196          (2) A person who drops, throws, deposits, or discards, or permits to be dropped,
             197      thrown, deposited, or discarded, on any park, recreation area, or other public or private land or
             198      waterway any destructive, injurious, or unsightly material shall:
             199          (a) immediately remove the material or cause it to be removed; and
             200          (b) deposit the material in a receptacle designed to receive the material.
             201          (3) A person distributing commercial handbills, leaflets, or other advertising shall take
             202      whatever measures are reasonably necessary to keep the material from littering public or
             203      private property.
             204          (4) A person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a park, recreation area, or
             205      other public or private land shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped from
             206      the vehicle in the park, recreation area, or other public or private land.
             207          (5) A person in charge of a construction or demolition site shall take reasonable steps
             208      to prevent the accumulation of litter at the construction or demolition site.
             209          (6) A law enforcement officer as defined in Section 53-13-103 :
             210          (a) shall enforce the provisions of this section;
             211          (b) may issue citations to a person who violates any of the provisions of this section;
             212      and
             213          (c) may serve and execute all warrants, citations, and other processes issued by any

             214      court in enforcing this section.
             215          (7) An operator of a park, campground, trailer park, drive-in restaurant, gasoline
             216      service station, shopping center, grocery store parking lot, tavern parking lot, parking lots of
             217      industrial firms, marina, boat launching area, boat moorage and fueling station, public and
             218      private pier, beach, and bathing area shall maintain sufficient litter receptacles on the premises
             219      to accommodate the litter that accumulates.
             220          (8) A municipality within its corporate limits and a county outside of incorporated
             221      municipalities may enact local ordinances to carry out the provisions of this section.
             222          Section 6. Section 76-10-2702 is enacted to read:
             223          76-10-2702. Penalty for littering on a park, recreation area, waterway, or other
             224      public or private land.
             225          (1) A person who violates any of the provisions of Section 76-10-2701 is guilty of a
             226      class C misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than $100 for each violation.
             227          (2) The sentencing judge may require that the offender devote at least four hours in
             228      cleaning up:
             229          (a) litter caused by the offender; and
             230          (b) existing litter from a safe area designated by the sentencing judge.
             231          Section 7. Section 78-3-14.5 is amended to read:
             232           78-3-14.5. Allocation of district court fees and forfeitures.
             233          (1) Except as provided in this section, district court fines and forfeitures collected for
             234      violation of state statutes shall be paid to the state treasurer.
             235          (2) Fines and forfeitures collected by the court for violation of a state statute or county
             236      or municipal ordinance constituting a misdemeanor or an infraction shall be remitted 1/2 to the
             237      state treasurer and 1/2 to the treasurer of the state or local governmental entity which
             238      prosecutes or which would prosecute the violation.
             239          (3) Fines and forfeitures collected for violations of Title 23, Wildlife Resources Code
             240      of Utah, Title 41, Chapter 22, Off-highway Vehicles, or Title 73, Chapter 18, State Boating
             241      Act, shall be paid to the state treasurer.
             242          (a) For violations of Title 23, the state treasurer shall allocate 85% to the Division of
             243      Wildlife Resources and 15% to the General Fund.
             244          (b) For violations of Title 41, Chapter 22, or Title 73, Chapter 18, the state treasurer

             245      shall allocate 85% to the Division of Parks and Recreation and 15% to the General Fund.
             246          (4) Fines and forfeitures collected for violation of Section 72-7-404 or 72-7-406 , less
             247      fees established by the Judicial Council, shall be paid to the state treasurer for deposit in the B
             248      and C road account. Fees established by the Judicial Council shall be deposited in the state
             249      General Fund. Money deposited in the class B and C road account is supplemental to the
             250      money appropriated under Section 72-2-107 but shall be expended in the same manner as other
             251      class B and C road funds.
             252          [(5) Until July 1, 2007, fines and forfeitures collected by the court for a violation of
             253      Subsection 41-1a-1303 (2) related to registration of vehicles after establishing residency shall
             254      be remitted:]
             255          [(a) 50% to the state or local governmental entity which issued the citation for a
             256      violation to be used for law enforcement purposes; and]
             257          [(b) 50% in accordance with Subsection (2).]
             258          (5) (a) Fines and forfeitures collected by the court for a second or subsequent violation
             259      under Section 41-6a-1713 or Subsection 72-7-409 (9)(b) shall be remitted:
             260          (i) 60% to the State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account created by Section
             261      72-2-126 ; and
             262          (ii) 40% in accordance with Subsection (2).
             263          (b) Fines and forfeitures collected by the court for a second or subsequent violation
             264      under Subsection 72-7-409 (9)(c) shall be remitted:
             265          (i) 50% to the State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account created by Section
             266      72-2-126 ; and
             267          (ii) 50% in accordance with Subsection (2).
             268          (6) Fines and forfeitures collected for any violations not specified in this chapter or
             269      otherwise provided for by law shall be paid to the state treasurer.
             270          (7) Fees collected in connection with civil actions filed in the district court shall be
             271      paid to the state treasurer.
             272          (8) The court shall remit money collected in accordance with Title 51, Chapter 7, State
             273      Money Management Act.
             274          Section 8. Section 78-5-116 is amended to read:
             275           78-5-116. Disposition of fines.

             276          (1) Except as otherwise specified by this section, fines and forfeitures collected by a
             277      justice court shall be remitted, 1/2 to the treasurer of the local government responsible for the
             278      court and 1/2 to the treasurer of the local government which prosecutes or which would
             279      prosecute the violation.
             280          (2) (a) For violation of Title 23, the court shall allocate 85% to the Division of Wildlife
             281      Resources and 15% to the general fund of the city or county government responsible for the
             282      justice court.
             283          (b) For violation of Title 41, Chapter 22, Off-highway Vehicles, or Title 73, Chapter
             284      18, State Boating Act, the court shall allocate 85% to the Division of Parks and Recreation and
             285      15% to the general fund of the city or county government responsible for the justice court.
             286          (c) Fines and forfeitures collected by the court for a second or subsequent violation
             287      under Section 41-6a-1713 or Subsection 72-7-409 (9)(b) shall be remitted:
             288          (i) 60% to the State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account created by Section
             289      72-2-126 ; and
             290          (ii) 40% in accordance with Subsection (1).
             291          (d) Fines and forfeitures collected by the court for a second or subsequent violation
             292      under Subsection 72-7-409 (9)(c) shall be remitted:
             293          (i) 50% to the State Highway Litter Control Restricted Account created by Section
             294      72-2-126 ; and
             295          (ii) 50% in accordance with Subsection (1).
             296          (3) The surcharge established by Section 63-63a-1 shall be paid to the state treasurer.
             297          (4) Fines, fees, court costs, and forfeitures collected by a municipal or county justice
             298      court for a violation of Section 72-7-404 or 72-7-406 regarding maximum weight limitations
             299      and overweight permits, minus court costs not to exceed the schedule adopted by the Judicial
             300      Council, shall be paid to the state treasurer and distributed to the class B and C road account.
             301          (5) Revenue deposited in the class B and C road account pursuant to Subsection (4) is
             302      supplemental to the money appropriated under Section 72-2-107 but shall be expended in the
             303      same manner as other class B and C road funds.
             304          [(6) Until July 1, 2007, fines and forfeitures collected by the court for a violation of
             305      Subsection 41-1a-1303 (2) related to registration of vehicles after establishing residency shall
             306      be remitted:]

             307          [(a) 50% to the state or local governmental entity which issued the citation for a
             308      violation to be used for law enforcement purposes; and]
             309          [(b) 50% in accordance with Subsection (1).]
             310          Section 9. Effective date.
             311          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 11-19-07 10:18 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

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