Bill > SB5432

This bill, effective January 1, 2016, aims to regulate retail store carryout bags by defining terms such as "carryout bag," "department" (referring to the Washington state department of ecology), "food provider," "person," "recyclable paper carryout bag," "recycle," "retail store," and "reusable carryout bag." It prohibits retail stores from providing any carryout bag for free or for a charge unless it is a compostable plastic bag, a recyclable paper bag (which must contain at least 40% postconsumer recycled materials and display this content), or a reusable bag made of durable materials. However, exceptions are made for bags used for specific items like fresh meat, produce, or prescription drugs, as well as for newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, and bags sold in multi-packs for trash or pet waste. Food providers can still distribute bags to safeguard public health during the transport of prepared foods and liquids. The bill also allows for a pass-through charge of at least five cents for each recyclable paper bag provided, with specific exemptions for customers using WIC, TANF, SNAP, or FAP benefits, and requires stores to note the number of paper bags and the total charge on receipts. Violations are considered civil infractions, and the department is empowered to adopt rules for enforcement. Furthermore, the bill addresses local regulations, stating that existing local single-use bag bans in effect as of January 1, 2015, can continue until December 31, 2020, after which all municipalities must align their ordinances with state law, preventing them from enacting stricter or more restrictive measures.