In the final day of the 2010 legislative session, the California Senate voted down a proposed statewide ban on single use plastic bags, known as AB1998. The final vote was 14 senators in favor and 21 opposed to the ban. Governor Schwarzenegger had indicated he would sign the bill into law, if passed. The legislation could be re-introduced next year.
The California Supreme Court’s review of Save the Plastic Bag Coalition’s case against the City of Manhattan Beach may become moot. The California Senate Appropriations Committee is holding hearings on a new bill (AB1998) that would effectively impose a statewide ban on plastic bags for supermarkets, convenience stores, food marts and pharmacies with over 10,000 square feet of retail space.
Many cities in California, starting with San Francisco, have enacted or are considering bans on plastic shopping bags. The Save the Plastic Bag Coalition has been striking back. Its case against the City of Manhattan Beach was recently accepted for review by the California Supreme Court.
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