A new anti-litter law that provides stiff fines and designates government departments with litter citation power has been introduced in the Fono.
While there are already littering laws, Governor Lolo Moliga says these are outdated, and enforcement has been lacking because only one department has the authority to issue litter citations.
Another drawback as he sees it is that the litter laws are found in two parts.
The administration bill presents a single litter statute.
It says no person shall place, throw or drop litter on public, communal or private real property or in any waters of the territory except in 1) a place designated by the solid waste official, or 2) into a litter receptacle.
If anyone throws litter from a moving vehicle, only police officers may stop the vehicle and the driver will be responsible for the litter violation.
The bill makes it an offence to tamper or damage trash bins or remove it from where it’s placed if they do own the receptacle.
It also makes the owner of a commercial premise responsible for providing and maintaining trash receptacles of adequate size for their businesses.
Departments given the authority to issue litter citations are ASEPA, ASPA, Department of Health, Marine and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation and Public Safety.
The fees are:
- $50 up to $100 for a first offence.
- $100 to 200 for a second offence.
- $400 to 500 for a third offense and $500 to $1 000 for a fourth offense.
In addition, the violator may be required to remove litter from public places.
All fines would be deposited into the General Fund and appropriated by the Fono.
The bill also sets a $10 fee that very convicted violator under this new law would have to pay.
This goes into a separate checking account for litter enforcement and designated solely for the purchase and maintenance of equipment and material for government led litter enforcement activities.
