Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with senate passage and pass a bill that reduces plastic bag use at retail establishments via recyclable bag options.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any retail sales establishment from making available any bag that is not a reusable or recyclable paper bag, or recyclable cardboard box (Sec. 1).

• Defines “retail sales establishment” as any licensed enterprise where the sale or transfer to a customer of goods in exchange for payment occurs (Sec. 1).

• Exempts farmers markets, bazaars, festivals operated by nonprofit or religious institutions, yard sales, tag sales, or other sales by residents at their homes from the aforementioned definition (Sec. 1).

• Defines “reusable bag” as a bag with handles which are stitched and specifically designed and manufactured for 125 or more reuses, and made primarily of washable cloth (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits retail sales establishments that make deliveries of goods from using single-use plastic checkout bags (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that jurisdiction and enforcement of this act shall fall with the municipalities and department of environmental management (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the following fines for violations for retail sales establishments found to have violated this act, paid to the local municipality (Sec. 1):

• $100 for the first violation in a calendar year;

• $200 for the second violation in a calendar year; and

• $500 for the third and any subsequent violation in a calendar year.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that reduces plastic bag use at retail establishments via recyclable bag options

Highlights:

• Prohibits any retail sales establishment from making available any bag that is not a reusable or recyclable paper bag, or recyclable cardboard box (Sec. 1).

• Defines “retail sales establishment” as any licensed enterprise where the sale or transfer to a customer of goods in exchange for payment occurs (Sec. 1).

• Exempts farmers markets, bazaars, festivals operated by nonprofit or religious institutions, yard sales, tag sales, or other sales by residents at their homes from the aforementioned definition (Sec. 1).

• Defines “reusable bag” as a bag with handles which are stitched and specifically designed and manufactured for 125 or more reuses, and made primarily of washable cloth (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits retail sales establishments that make deliveries of goods from using single-use plastic checkout bags (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that jurisdiction and enforcement of this act shall fall with the municipalities and department of environmental management (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the following fines for violations for retail sales establishments found to have violated this act, paid to the local municipality (Sec. 1):

• $100 for the first violation in a calendar year;

• $200 for the second violation in a calendar year; and

• $500 for the third and any subsequent violation in a calendar year.

Full Bill Text