State Senate voting on plastic grocery-bag ban
UPDATE 8/31/2010, 3:40 P.M.
Assembly Bill 1998 is being voted on today by the California State Senate, reports a spokeswoman for the bill's author, Assembly Member Julia Brownley, D-Santa Monica.
The "on-call" vote allows lawmakers to cast their votes throughout the afternoon and evening. If it passes, the bill would also need to return to the state Assembly for a vote on amendments. The Assembly passed an earlier version of the bill in June, but it has been altered since that time.
Today is the last day for legislative action on bills.
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From Friday, Aug. 27, 2010
A bill to ban disposable plastic carry-out bags at grocery, pharmacy and convenience stores was amended today by the state Senate's Rules Committee, and may come up for full legislative approval early next week.
Assembly Bill 1998, authored by Assembly Member Julie Brownley, D-Santa Monica, would bar stores from using the ubiquitous bags in 2012 in order to keep them from polluting roadsides, streams and waterways. Instead, stores would be required to sell reusable grocery bags.
Among the changes since the bill was approved by the full Assembly and the senate Environmental Quality Committee:
- Stores would be allowed to sell recycled-paper bags at a price that reflects the store's cost. An earlier version of the bill would have required stores to sell the bags "at a reasonable price," but not less than a nickel a bag.
- Stores will be required to provide free bags to low-income shoppers who receive aid through the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program or food stamps. Previously, the bill would have allowed, and not required, providing free bags to the poor.
- A bag-recycling program in which people can bring their old disposable bags back to stores will be continued. Earlier versions would have discontinued the recycling effort.
Click here, here, here and here for earlier Bee news and blog coverage of AB 1998.
Linda Rapattoni, a spokeswoman for Brownley, said the bill still needs to be approved by the full Senate, and the Assembly would have to approve any changes since its members voted in June. All of that needs to take place before Sept. 1 before the bill can be sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for his signature.
Schwarzenegger praised the bill when it was approved by the Assembly earlier this summer.
Comments:
Speaking of ubiquitous bags. The author of this bill wins the title.
Posted by: Jkeyes at August 28, 2010 4:05 PM
Banning Plastic Bags in grocery stores hurts students, the elderly, families. AB 1998 is a "horrible" bill. Why are the authors of AB 1998 continuing to hurt the citizens of California? Instead of banning plastic bags, devote time to researching plastic: how to dispose? What's next plastic utensils? Yep! They are next.
Posted by: Carole Wade at August 28, 2010 9:45 PM
How does this bill hurt families, students or the elderly? The elderly probably remember bringing their own bags to the store during the depression. The students usually stick everything in their backpacks anyway. Families are usually swimming in those fabric recyclable bags these days!
Posted by: Michelle at August 30, 2010 3:17 PM
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