Bill > HF3184

This bill repeals Minnesota Statutes section 471.9998, which previously prohibited local governments (political subdivisions) from banning merchant bags. The existing law guaranteed merchants the option to provide customers with paper, plastic, or reusable bags for packaging purchased items, and it explicitly prevented any local government from implementing a ban on such bags. By repealing this statute, the bill removes the statewide prohibition, which means local governments will now have the authority to potentially create their own regulations or restrictions on merchant bags. This change gives local municipalities more discretion in managing bag usage, potentially allowing them to implement bag bans or restrictions if they choose to do so, whereas previously they were explicitly prevented from taking such actions.

Government Affairs

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF3184&ssn=0&y=2025