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MA S1231

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

2/27/2025

Primary Sponsor

Patrick O'Connor

Click for details

Origin

Senate

194th General Court

AI Summary

  • Amends Section 16 of Chapter 270 of Massachusetts General Laws to revise penalties for littering on public highways, public land, private property, and conservation lands
  • Sets fines for land-based littering at up to $5,500 for first offense and up to $15,000 for subsequent offenses
  • Creates separate, higher penalties for littering in or within 20 yards of coastal or inland waters: up to $6,800 for first offense and up to $18,750 for subsequent offenses
  • Requires 50% of all fines to be deposited in the conservation trust established under Chapter 132A
  • Courts may require violators to remove dumped materials at their own expense; landowner permission constitutes a defense for littering on private property

Legislative Description

Relative to preventing ocean littering

Last Action

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means

2/19/2026

Committee Referrals

Ways and Means2/19/2026
Judiciary2/27/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available