Ciresi’s House resolution on litter enforcement in PA unanimously referred out of committee
Rep. Joseph Ciresi December 17, 2025 | 4:25 PM
HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 -- Today, the Pennsylvania House Environmental & Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue recommendations on litter law enforcement in Pennsylvania.
The legislation, H.R. 352, was introduced by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Montgomery.
The resolution stems from the Pennsylvania Litter Research Study (2018–19) and the subsequent Litter Action Plan (2021). Conducted by DEP, PennDOT, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, these initiatives urged the Commonwealth and the General Assembly to evaluate the effectiveness of Pennsylvania’s litter ordinances, laws, statutes, and regulations, and to take steps to enhance enforcement.
“The Pennsylvania Litter Research Study found more than 500 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roadways. While 90% of Pennsylvanians believe litter is harming the state in every possible way -- damaging the environment, polluting waterways, depressing property values, reducing tourism, and hurting businesses -- the overwhelming majority feel it’s unlikely that anyone will actually be caught or fined for littering,” Ciresi said. “We need to strengthen our litter laws and improve their enforcement.”
Described as a 'first step in this process,' PalmettoPride and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful completed a joint study on litter law enforcement in 2023, highlighting key issues raised by law enforcement and judicial officials.
“It’s nearly 2026, and it’s past time for us to take the next step in reforming and improving our litter laws,” Ciresi said. “My resolution would advance this initiative by directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue recommendations on litter law enforcement in Pennsylvania. The study would focus on areas identified as needing improvement, including penalties and fine structures, the administration of community service sentences, inconsistencies in litter-related offenses across statutes, and more.”
The Joint State Government Commission’s study would be staffed by subject matter experts in litter enforcement in Pennsylvania and would examine best practices from other states. The goal of the study is to identify next steps for implementing the Litter Action Plan and reducing the harmful impact of littering.
House Resolution 352 is now on its way to the House floor for consideration.