MA: Keep our Region Clean from Litter and Safe from Vandalism Act (Statute)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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Sponsor: ZuWo

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Perhaps adding a clause that the fine should reflect how much it will cost to clean up the vandalism (or extreme littering) with a minimum of $50?

[ZuWo]

Perhaps adding a clause that the fine should reflect how much it will cost to clean up the vandalism (or extreme littering) with a minimum of $50?

Good idea. I propose the following amendment to Section 2a of the Act:

2. a) Any person who violates at least one of the two clauses of the first section of this Act shall be fined at least 50$. The amount of a fine shall generally reflect any costs of damage and any costs of repair or litter removal. Severe violations of this Act may be punished with a prison sentence.

[tmthforu94]

Seem's pretty common-sense.

[TJ in Oregon]

I'll support this. If anything $50 seems a bit low compared to most US fines for littering, but I suppose if we keep the fine low it's more likely to be enforced.

[ZuWo]

I'll support this. If anything $50 seems a bit low compared to most US fines for littering, but I suppose if we keep the fine low it's more likely to be enforced.

Is it? Frankly, 50$ was a wild guess of mine. I have no clue how high US fines are in reality. And anyway, this is the minimal fine. Officials are welcome to make individuals who violate the Act pay (much) more under special circumstances.

[TJ in Oregon]

There are some states with lower, but most have much higher fines than that (we're talking ~$200 minimums). But it's rarely if ever enforced for minor violations.

Strangely, it seems more popular to legislate maximums than minimums.

[California8429]

Can we include a productive amendment to this bill? Which I agree with.

Here in Denver recently the government has been promoting community murals, inviting the very people graffiti or vandalize neighborhoods. Once these murals are finished, they are not touched, and there's actually a 600 foot radius around the mural where graffiti almost never occurs. When the community puts their hand in the work, they make sure to protect it. It's a productive way to get people who do graffiti to benefit the community and not vandalize.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Perhaps adding a clause that the fine should reflect how much it will cost to clean up the vandalism (or extreme littering) with a minimum of $50?

Good idea. I propose the following amendment to Section 2a of the Act:

2. a) Any person who violates at least one of the two clauses of the first section of this Act shall be fined at least 50$. The amount of a fine shall generally reflect any costs of damage and any costs of repair or litter removal. Severe violations of this Act may be punished with a prison sentence.

Since it's your bill, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be adopted.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Seeing no objection, the amendment is adopted.

[ZuWo]

Can we include a productive amendment to this bill? Which I agree with.

Here in Denver recently the government has been promoting community murals, inviting the very people graffiti or vandalize neighborhoods. Once these murals are finished, they are not touched, and there's actually a 600 foot radius around the mural where graffiti almost never occurs. When the community puts their hand in the work, they make sure to protect it. It's a productive way to get people who do graffiti to benefit the community and not vandalize.

Could you present such an amendment to the bill? I'd accept it as friendly.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

A-Bob, do you have an amendment?

[California8429]

Amendment

3. a. The regional government will assist local communities, towns, and cities to promote the creation of community murals on walls that are near areas of graffiti including paying for half of the supplies used in creating the murals.

b. The regional government will assist in recruiting all members of the community who are not incarcerated in volunteering to paint the mural, including citizens who are on parol.

c. Criminals who are incarcerated who have no record or charges of violent crime or record of sexual charges may work a full day creating a mural in this program and their sentence will be reduced by one day.

[ZuWo]

I accept A-Bob's amendment as friendly, but can we have a vote on it? I wouldn't want to see the entire bill fail in an early final vote in case some Assemblymembers disagree with the proposed third section of the bill.

[California8429]

I'm also open to any changes in the amendment to make it better

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now open on the amendment.  This will be a 48-hour vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN

[California8429]

Aye

[ZuWo]

Aye

[tmthforu94]

Aye

[TJ in Oregon]

Aye

[California8429]

Maybe we should specify they must work an 8 hour workday for it to count as a day.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

AYE

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Voting is now closed.  The AYEs are 5, and the NAYs are 0.  The AYEs have it, and the amendment is agreed to.  The legislation now reads as follows:

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[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

The legislation is now brought to a final vote.  Members will vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.  This will be a 48-hour vote.

[ZuWo]

Aye