Politics & Government

Proposed Law Could Tax Plastic Bags

A new bill would charge consumers a small fee every time they used plastic bags.

Shopping with plastic bags could become more expensive if state lawmakers pass a new bill.

State Sen. Daylin Leach introduced a bill Aug. 5 that would impose a 2-cent tax on every plastic bag issued by a retail store. 

According to a release, the tax revenue would go to individual stores and to the state government for use developing and refining recycling efforts both locally and statewide.

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“Two cents is a small price to pay for a cleaner, more vibrant planet,” Leach said in a release. “However, our goal is not to collect the fee, but to encourage shoppers to make sustainable choices at the checkout counter.”

According to Leach, the fee would only apply to bags provided at the point of sale, and would not impact those who take advantage of reusable or compostable carryout bags.

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We want to know: Do you think this fee is a good idea? Will this proposed tax cut down on your usage of plastic bags? Is this making shopping a little more expensive for no reason? Tell us in the comments. 


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