Plastic Bag Ban Bill Passes Major Hurdle, Heads to Assembly Floor

Senate Bill (SB) 270 authored by Senators Alex Padilla, Kevin de Leon and Ricardo Lara passed with resounding support out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday. The bill now heads to the Assembly floor for consideration.

More than 100 California jurisdictions already have adopted single-use plastic bag bans. From the Bay Area to Southern California, local governments have seen reduction in single use bags. In San Jose, the city’s bag ban has reduced single-use bag usage by 90 percent. In Los Angeles County the ordinance has resulted in stores continuing to maintain over a 90 percent reduction in single use bag usage compared to prior to adoption of the ordinance.

“The purpose of this bill always has been statewide consistency, something businesses want and consumers need—all the while cutting pollution and litter while supporting innovative, green jobs,” said California Grocers Association President and CEO Ron Fong.

As SB 270 continues to gain momentum as the coalition of support continues to grow.

“We’ve never seen a coalition so united behind one common goal. From business groups and in-state manufacturers to organized labor, environmental groups and poverty rights activists, SB 270 truly reflects the diversity and forward thinking of California,” Fong said.

The vote followed a fresh wave of support for the bill by major newspapers across the state, including the Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee and Fresno Bee.