Proposed bill punishes litterbugs with cleanup

? Litterbugs would be sentenced to trash pickup duty under a House bill introduced Monday.

The measure would raise the fine for littering and require those convicted to spend at least eight hours picking up trash.

“If you’re going to toss it out, you ought to be able to pick it up. My kids know better,” said Rep. Jene Vickrey, R-Louisburg, co-sponsor of the bill with Rep. Bill Feuerborn, D-Garnett.

Littering is now punishable by up to one month in jail and a maximum $500 fine.

Vickrey said he decided to sponsor the bill after seeing trash along U.S. Highway 69 near his hometown.