WA HB1236

Increases penalty for littering one cubic foot or less from a class 3 to class 2 civil infraction, in addition to any traffic violation penalties under RCW 46.61.645(1)

Requires violators to pay litter cleanup restitution equal to four times actual cleanup costs for natural resource infractions and misdemeanors, or two times costs for gross misdemeanors

Restitution payments are distributed to the landowner (actual cleanup costs) and the investigating law enforcement agency (remainder)

Creates a littering solutions task force convened by the Department of Ecology with members from state agencies, counties, and industry associations representing waste management, retail, hospitality, beverages, and tobacco

Task force must submit a status update by January 15, 2026 and final recommendations by November 15, 2026, with the goal of ensuring annual litter collection equals or exceeds annual litter deposited