This bill amends existing legislation to allow grocery stores to provide single-use paper carryout bags to customers, contingent upon these bags containing a significant quantity of postconsumer recycled content. Specifically, the bill stipulates that these paper bags must meet or exceed the postconsumer recycled content requirements established in a previous law, which mandates that paper carryout bags contain, on average, at least 40 percent postconsumer recycled content, or at least 20 percent for bags that hold eight pounds or less.

Additionally, the bill reinforces the prohibition on grocery stores providing single-use plastic carryout bags, while also ensuring that municipalities or counties cannot enact their own regulations regarding single-use plastic or paper carryout bags after the bill's effective date. The legislation aims to address environmental concerns related to plastic pollution and promote the use of more sustainable materials in grocery stores. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.126, 13:1E-99.127, 13:1E-99.128