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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 19, 2023 09:47 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Donna Scheuren |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Help Make our Roadways Safer for Motorcycles & Bicycles |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation to reduce the hazards imposed by grass clippings and other landscape materials being discarded, deposited or blown onto roadways. During the warmer months of the year, many people may not consider the consequences of grass clippings blown onto roads from lawnmowers, leaf blowers or otherwise. At the same time, our roads are being traveled more and more by people on motorcycles and bicycles. Grass clippings cause the surface of the roadway to become extremely slippery, and motorcyclists have died after sliding on them. In addition to being a public safety hazard, grass on roadways can contribute to the clogging of storm water drains. The clippings can also make their way into streams and cause pollution. Current law imposes a summary offense for a first offense of causing waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse, or rubbish to be deposited on any road, street, highway, alley, or railroad right-of-way. Penalties include a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $300 and mandatory service picking up illegally dumped trash. A second or subsequent offense is graded as a misdemeanor of the third degree and carries a fine between $300 and $1,000 and service picking up trash. My legislation will add “grass clippings or other landscape materials” to the items that may not be deposited on roads. Please join me in cosponsoring this legislation which is intended to make our roads safer for motorcycles and bicycles and to reduce pollution in our waterways. |
Introduced as HB1635