HR 352 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on litter law enforcement and provide recommendations.

PRINTER'S NO.   2490

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 352
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, CONKLIN, HILL-EVANS, WAXMAN, HOWARD,
        GUZMAN, FREEMAN, M. MACKENZIE, VENKAT, HOHENSTEIN, McANDREW,
        SANCHEZ AND GREEN, OCTOBER 21, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
        PROTECTION, OCTOBER 21, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study on litter law enforcement and provide recommendations.
 3      WHEREAS, Litter has a range of harmful effects, harming
 4   wildlife and the environment, threatening public health and
 5   reducing quality of life and community appearance; and
 6      WHEREAS, Litter cleanup, prevention and mitigation is
 7   expensive for the Commonwealth, costing State agencies and local
 8   governments tens of millions of dollars each year; and
 9      WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study concluded
10   that there were more than half a billion pieces of litter on
11   Pennsylvania roadways; and
12      WHEREAS, That study conducted a public attitudes survey that
13   found that more than 90% of Pennsylvanians reported that litter
14   is a problem, however most also find it unlikely for someone to
15   be caught or fined because of littering; and
16      WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study recommended
17   evaluating the effectiveness of ordinances, laws and statutes as
 1   they relate to reducing litter, as well as why current litter
 2   regulations are not being enforced; and
 3      WHEREAS, The subsequent Pennsylvania Litter Action Plan
 4   called on the General Assembly to review and update
 5   Pennsylvania's litter laws to ensure prevention and enforcement;
 6   therefore be it
 7      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
 8   State Government Commission to conduct a study of the
 9   effectiveness and enforcement of litter laws and regulations and
10   provide recommendations; and be it further
11      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission's study
12   on litter law enforcement, at a minimum, include the following:
13          (1)   A review and analysis of the effectiveness of the
14      current ordinances, laws and statutes that relate to reducing
15      litter in Pennsylvania.
16          (2)   A review and analysis of the challenges that exist
17      in enforcing existing litter-related laws and regulations.
18          (3)   A review of community service requirements imposed
19      as penalties for littering and related offenses and the
20      extent to which litter cleanup is being required and
21      performed as part of community service sentencing.
22          (4)   A review of litter-related policies, strategies,
23      laws and regulations in other states in the nation, including
24      the enforcement, penalties and relevant funding mechanisms.
25          (5)   Policy and legislative recommendations that would
26      improve the enforcement of litter-related laws and
27      regulations.
28          (6)   Recommendations for improvements in the coordination
29      and availability of community service programs engaged in
30      litter cleanup.

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 1           (7)   Recommendations for funding sources that could be
 2      used to support programs for litter education, mitigation,
 3      prevention and cleanup.
 4           (8)   Any other matter deemed appropriate by the Joint
 5      State Government Commission;
 6   and be it further
 7      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission be
 8   authorized to consult with other states and organizations that
 9   have knowledge of relevant issues; and be it further
10      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission consult
11   with:
12           (1)   relevant State agencies;
13           (2)   nonprofit organizations involved in litter
14      education, prevention and cleanup;
15           (3)   local governments; and
16           (4)   individuals involved in the enforcement of litter-
17      related laws, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors
18      and judges when conducting their study;
19   and be it further
20      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission present
21   its report to the House of Representatives no later than 12
22   months after the adoption of this resolution.




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