 All three are part of a "comprehensive response to environmental violators", write Epstein and Hammett, researchers for the United States Department of Justice.Littering and dumping laws, found in all fifty United States, appear to take precedence over municipal ordinances in controlling violations and act as public safety, not aesthetic measures.Similar from state-to-state, these laws define who violators are, the type or "function" of the person committing the action, and what items must be littered or dumped to constitute an illegal act.