Columbus, Georgia

LEGISLATORS, BUSINESS UNITE TO STRENGTHEN

GEORGIA?S LITTERING LAWS



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



(Columbus, February 14, 2002)-Litter detracts from our state?s beauty,

decreasing property values, and could ultimately impact Georgia?s multi-billion

dollar tourism industry. But if a group of Georgia legislators and businesses

have their way, Georgia will have some of the strongest anti-littering laws in

the country.



House Bill 1343, dubbed the ?Georgia Clean Communities Act of 2002",

was introduced Tuesday, February 12, 2002 in the Georgia House of

Representatives. ?We can all work together to eliminate intentional littering

and enhance our communities,? said the bill?s chief sponsor State

Representative Mark Burhalter (R-Alpharetta). ?We need to send a message to

all who visit our state that we take pride in the people and places of Georgia.?



Burkharter?s legislation focuses on three areas of concern:

enforcement; education; and, awareness. ?Littering is a crime-plain and

simple. We need to make it easier for law enforcement officials to issue

citations for littering,? he said. His proposal allows law enforcement, Code

Enforcement Officers, and even DNR officials to issue $200.00 citations for

individuals caught littering the first time. Individuals caught littering a

second or subsequent time will be charged with a misdemeanor, subject to a

$200-1,000 fine, and could be directed to pick-up litter from the mile of

roadway where the litter was improperly discarded.



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Georgia businesses are lining up to support Burkhalter?s bill too.

?Education and awareness are essential components to successful litter

prevention in Georgia,? said Kevin Perry, Executive

Director of the Georgia Soft Drink Association. ?It?s all about behavior

modification and personal responsibility. Keep Georgia Beautiful and their

affiliates across the state are doing an excellent job at delivering an

anti-littering message to Georgians for more than 20 years. We hope this

legislation will encourage citizens and businesses to get more involved with

their local affiliate or Adopt-A-Highway program,? Perry said.



House Bill 1343 also gives cities and counties across the state the

ability to impose a 3% levy on all traffic citations. The 3% levy would be

paid into the city or county?s treasury, and dedicated to a litter removal,

beautification, or related educational program. ?It is our hope that HB 1343

will give cities and counties an additional revenue source to create or enhance

their existing anti-litter or Keep Georgia Beautiful program,? Burkhalter said.