Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

Soon, I plan to introduce legislation that will provide for a statewide ban of single-use plastic bags in retail stores and provides for counties to opt-in for a fee on paper bags, at the point of sale. 

The effects of plastics on the environment, animals and aquatic life are quite devastating. Plastic bags litter our streets and waterways and take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Additionally, the practice of using single-use plastic bags encourages a ‘throw-away’ mentality for consumers, adding to the problems of pollution and waste in our Commonwealth. 

This legislation will provide for a statewide ban of plastic bags, with certain exemptions, in retail stores. It will also grant counties the ability to opt-in for a 5-cent fee on paper bags, at the point of sale. Revenue collected from the optional fee will be distribute toward environmental programs: a portion for local county use, and the remainder for Commonwealth use. 

I look forward to your support for this important policy, which stands to dramatically cut the impact of plastic bag pollution and waste on our communities and the Commonwealth’s most valuable asset; our natural environment. 

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.