Kansas legislators are again considering a bill designed to prohibit cities and counties from banning or placing taxes on single-use containers or charging fees for their use.
The bill includes such items as plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, takeout containers or single-use plastic utensils. The bill passed the Kansas House last year on a 72-51 vote, but the Senate referred it to the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs and never took a vote on it.
Similar bills have been proposed for years, but House Bill 2446 is the first time it’s being considered as a city enacts a ban on single-use plastics. Lawrence’s ban on disposable plastic bags goes into effect on March 1, and the city is asking residents to use more reusable bags when shopping.
Retailers would have to use paper bags that contain at least 40% recycled paper.
If the Kansas Legislature passes the bill into law, Lawrence would have to remove its prohibition on plastics and no other city or county could adopt a similar regulation.