Bill To Impose Heavy Fines For Illegal Dumping Introduced

LAMORINDA, CA — Lamorinda Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has introduced a bill aimed at curtailing illegal dumping in California.

“The illegal dumping of trash, furniture, mattresses, appliances, and toxic materials is out of control in both our rural and urban areas – it isn’t just unsightly, it is putting the health of our communities and environment at risk,” said Bauer-Kahan. “Every Californian deserves the right to live in clean, garbage-free neighborhoods.”

AB 2374 was announced on Thursday. If passed, fines on illegal dumping of commercial quantities will climb to $5,000 on the first conviction, up to $10,000 on a second conviction, and up to $20,000 on third or subsequent convictions.

Judges would also have the discretion to require the convicted to pay for the removal of their illegal dumping, suspend the business license of any individual convicted of dumping waste connected to their business, and allow for that person’s name and the name of the business to be publicly displayed as convicted of illegal dumping.

“By upping the fines and providing tools for the courts to publicly hold violators accountable for committing these acts, we disincentivize actors and create public knowledge on who not to work with,” said Bauer-Kahan. “I want to thank Contra Costa County for bringing this bill idea to my attention and look forward to getting it implemented statewide.”

The bill was sponsored by Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis.

“We want everyone to be doing the right thing, but there’s a limit to what we can do to educate and incentivize good behavior,” said Burgis. “It’s important for the public to understand that dumping has an impact on the quality of our drinking water, and that it disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. I applaud Asm. Bauer-Kahan for her efforts to empower us with the tools we need at the local level to start getting greater control of this problem.”

Supervisors Federal Glover and Nate Miley also voiced support for the bill.