Disposable plastic shopping bags; distribution prohibited, local option. (SB1103)

Introduced By

Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach) with support from co-patrons Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), and Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Distribution of disposable plastic shopping bags prohibited; local option. Allows any locality by ordinance to prohibit the distribution, sale, or offer of disposable plastic shopping bags to consumers. The bill exempts from any such prohibition reusable bags of a certain thickness; bags that are used to carry certain products, such as ice cream or newspapers; and garbage bags that are sold in multiples. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/13/2015Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15101066D
01/13/2015Referred to Committee on Local Government
01/27/2015Reported from Local Government (9-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)
01/29/2015Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/30/2015Read second time and engrossed
02/02/2015Read third time and defeated by Senate (18-Y 19-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2015Reconsideration of defeated action agreed to by Senate (36-Y 1-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2015Passed by for the day
02/02/2015Reconsideration of Passed by for the day agreed to (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2015Passed Senate (20-Y 16-N) (see vote tally)
02/06/2015Placed on Calendar
02/06/2015Read first time
02/06/2015Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
02/11/2015Referred from Counties, Cities and Towns
02/11/2015Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
02/17/2015Tabled in Commerce and Labor

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 4 minutes.

Comments

Carol Ann Guido writes:

Dear Senator McWaters,
PLease do everything in your power to make this ban a reality.I do not have to explain the reasoning for this.
These bags are a public nusience and should be outlawed.
Thanks for all you do,
Carol Ann Guido

Jessica O'Connor writes:

Thank you for this bill Jeff. I hope it passes. These bags are a problem around waterways. Virginia Beach has more waterways than most areas in the commonwealth. We should be able to determine what is best for them.

Brenda Staab writes:

Thank you for introducing this bill, as this bill is a crucial step towards a healthier environment, with protection for not only the natural environment but wildlife as well. There are many alternatives to plastic bags for consumers, and what a great way to keep this unsightly litter from our roadways and waterways. Thank you, and I do hope that the bill will become law.