A litter law that affects the users of The Natural State's waterways is now on the books.
The law bans the possession and use of glass containers, except for those containing prescription medicines,
aboard the easily overturned vessels. The law also establishes additional requirements if food and beverages are being
transported. They include:
- all coolers, ice chests and other storage containers are required to be sealed or locked to prevent them from
emptying into the water;
- a mesh trash bag that can be tightly sealed must be securely affixed to the vessel;
- all trash must be transported to a place where it can be legally discarded; and
- all beverages not in storage containers must be attached to or held within floating holders or other devices
capable of preventing them from sinking if the craft is overturned.
Violating any of the law's provisions is a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 for each offense, and violations of
several provisions may be considered separate offenses.
Exempt from the law are houseboats, party barges, johnboats, runabouts, ski boats, bass boats and "similar craft not
easily susceptible to swamping, tipping or rolling."