Amendment ID: S2410-8

Amendment 8

Impact Study of Plastic Bag Reduction Act

Ms. DiZoglio moves to amend the bill by inserting the following new section:-

SECTION 6. The department of environmental protection shall assess the impact of eliminating single-use plastic bags and making available recycled paper bags or reusable bags for purchase on the environment and on persons with limited or fixed financial means, including, but not limited to, low-income persons and the elderly, by collecting, analyzing and evaluating data by appropriate means as determined by the department as of the date of the passage of this act and annually thereafter regarding: (i) utilization rates of single-use plastic bags, recycled paper bags and reusable bags; (ii) recycling rates of single-use plastic bags; (iii) average annual out-of-pocket costs per household to purchase recycled paper bags and reusable bags; (iv) change in sales by retail establishments of packages containing several bags, including, but not limited to, food bags, sandwich bags, yard waste bags, garbage bags or municipal pay-as-you-throw program trash bags; (v) change in volume of single-use plastic bags disposed of as solid waste; and (vi) any other data which the department deems relevant to determining such impact.  Annually, not later than April 15, the department shall report on the foregoing, which reports shall be filed with the clerks of the house of representatives and senate, the joint committee on environment, natural resources and agriculture, the joint committee on revenue and the house and senate committees on ways and means.