The bill aims to mitigate the environmental impact of single-use plastic carryout bags in Washington State by prohibiting their use and implementing a pass-through fee for compliant paper carryout bags, with exceptions for individuals on state-administered assistance programs. It mandates that bags provided by retailers must contain recycled content or be made from nonwood renewable fiber, while also promoting the use of reusable bags. Key amendments include defining "single-use plastic carryout bag" to exclude compostable bags, requiring retail establishments to disclose pass-through charges on third-party platforms, and expediting permitting for paper bag manufacturing to meet increased demand following the ban.

Additionally, the bill establishes a complaint-based enforcement system for the use of reusable carryout bags, encouraging local governments to provide educational resources and promoting staff education in retail establishments. It introduces a civil penalty of up to $250 for violations, with each day of violation considered a separate offense. The legislation preempts local carryout bag ordinances enacted before April 1, 2020, with exceptions for those that established a pass-through charge, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 70A.530.005, 70A.530.020, 70A.530.030, 70A.530.040, 70A.530.050
Substitute bill: 70A.530.005, 70A.530.020, 70A.530.030, 70A.530.040, 70A.530.050