Enforcement of litter laws.

(a) The Covington County Health Department may, at its discretion, enforce littering laws, and other laws relating to littering in Covington County, in addition to health laws and regulations governing the control and disposal of solid waste in Covington County, and shall be empowered with the authority of peace officers as defined by state law for the purpose of enforcing such laws.

(b) Mail or other personal items bearing the name or address of the recipient or former owner thereof among refuse, garbage, waste paper, trash, litter, or other debris unlawfully placed, thrown, left, or dumped within Covington County shall constitute prima facie evidence that the person whose name or address appears on the mail or other personal item unlawfully placed, put, threw, left, dumped, or deposited the refuse, garbage, waste paper, trash, litter, or other debris; and any law enforcement officer or member of the Covington County Health Department shall have the authority to seek prosecution against such person based on such prima facie evidence.

(c) It is unlawful to dump, deposit, place, throw, or leave refuse, paper, litter, rubbish, debris, filthy or odoriferous objects, substances, or other trash upon a state or county highway, road, or other public thoroughfare in Covington County, and any person upon first conviction thereof shall be punished by fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(d) The provisions of this section are supplemental. It shall be construed in pari materia with other laws relative to littering; however, any law which conflicts specifically herewith is hereby repealed.

(Act 85-877, p. 132, §§1-3, 5.)