HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB405 - Single-use Plastic Carryout Bags CITY OF PALM DESERT �� �^°�
����
��
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: APPROVE THE PALM DESERT LEGISLATIVE REVIEW
COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO PROVIDE LETTERS OF
SUPPORT FOR AB 158 (LEVINE)AND SB 405 (PADILLA).
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
DATE: November 14, 2013
CONTENTS: 1. Draft Letters of Support
2. Senator Padilla Correspondence
3. AB 158 and SB 405 Bill Analyses
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, approve the Palm Desert Legislative Review Committee's
recommendation to send letters of support for AB 158 (Levine) and SB 405 (Padilla).
Committee Recommendation
On October 25, 2013, the Palm Desert Legislative Review Committee recommended
that the City Council approve a letter reaffirming the City's support of AB 158 (Levine)
and support of SB 405 (Padilla).
Back�round
More than thirteen billion single use plastic bags are handed out by retailers annually in
California. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 88% of
plastic bags/sacks are not recycled. In California, only 3% are recycled according to
CalRecycle. Plastics are also estimated to compose 60-80% of all marine debris and
90% of all floating debris worldwide.
During the last legislative session, two bills were introduced in an effort to impose a
statewide ban on single-use plastic bags in Califomia grocery stores, convenience
stores, liquor stores, and pharmacies. These bills, AB 158 (Levine) and SB 405
(Padilla), failed to pass out of the legislature, but are still potentially viable as there is a
two-year legislative calendar in California.
As indicated, both bills would prohibit grocery stores and large retailers from providing
single-use bags to customers beginning January 1, 2015. The ban on single-use bags
would expand to convenience food stores, foodmarts, and certain other specified stores,
on July 1, 2016. Please note that these dates could be changed by future amendments.
Staff Report: Support of AB 158 & SB 405
November 14, 2013
Page 2 of 2
SB 405 fell three votes short of the twenty-one votes needed for passage. It received
broad support from business and environmental organizations, including the California
Grocers Association and the Califomia Retailers Association.
Senator Padilla indicates that he remains committed to the effort of banning single-use
bags and that SB 405 will face another vote early next year. Therefore, he respectfully
requests the City of Palm Desert go on record supporting SB 405.
Fiscal Analvsis
There is no fiscal impact related to the City's support of these bills.
Submitted B •
Stephe Y. A an, Ris Ma ger
Approval:
J n M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
TY COUNCIL ACTION
AYPROVED � ��I�:N1F,!) _
RI;CEIVED {)`�'Hi�:R _,
MF,CTING DATE--/l l�- �Cr 3 ^
AYES: �,�P�J�S��,n��T��7 � L�P��� �A/nrlL
NOEs: N�n e
A�35ENT: �anP -
ABSTAIN: �n�:
VERIFIED 13Y:
Origina!on File with City Clerk's fice
November 14, 2013
The Honorabie Mark Levine
State Capitol
PO Box 942849, Room 2137
Sacramento, CA 94249-0010
Dear Assemblyman Levine:
On behalf of the Palm Desert City Council, I wish to reaffirm our support of AB 158,
which would prohibit retail stores from providing single-use bags to customers, and
require that they provide only reusable grocery bags.
The overabundance of single-use bag bans throughout the State, each of which are a
bit different from other neighboring communities, creates a difficult problem for retail
businesses because no consistency exists on a statewide or regional basis. Rather than
taking a piecemeal community-by-community approach, AB 158 will create a base,
uniform policy, and regulatory certainty for businesses and consumers.
Comprehensively addressing single-use bags and encouraging consumers to use
reusable bags, is the most sustainable alternative because it will reduce the number of
single-use bags that cause pollution and unwanted environmental consequences.
Thank you again for your recognition of this important environmental issue through your
introduction of AB 158. Please let us know if you have any questions or need any
additional information by contacting Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager, at (760) 776-
6326.
Sincerely,
JAN C. HARN I K
MAYOR
cc: City Council
Palm Desert Citizens' Sustainability Committee
The Honorable Brian Nestande, California State Assembly
Erin Sasse, League of California Cities, esasse(c�cacities.org
Anthony Gonsalves, Gonsalves and Sons, gonsalvesCa�aonsalvi.com
John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
November 14, 2013
The Honorabie Alex Padilla
State Capital
Room 4038
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Padilla:
On behalf of the Palm Desert City Council, I wish to express our support of SB 405,
which would prohibit retail stores from providing single-use bags to customers, and
require that they provide only reusable grocery bags.
The overabundance of single-use bag bans throughout the State, each of which are a
bit different from other neighboring communities, creates a difficult problem for retail
businesses because no consistency exists on a statewide or regional basis. Rather than
taking a piecemeal community-by-community approach, SB 405 will create a base,
uniform policy, and regulatory certainty for businesses and consumers.
Comprehensively addressing single-use bags and encouraging consumers to use
reusable bags, is the most sustainable alternative because it will reduce the number of
single-use bags that cause pollution and unwanted environmental consequences.
Thank you for your recognition of this important environmental issue through your
introduction of SB 405. Please let us know if you have any questions or need any
additional information by contacting Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager, at (760) 776-
6326.
Sincerely,
JAN C. HARNIK
MAYOR
cc: City Council
Palm Desert Citizens' Sustainability Committee
The Honorable Brian Nestande, California State Assembly
Erin Sasse, League of California Cities, esasse _cacities.org
Anthony Gonsalves, Gonsalves and Sons, aonsalves@qonsalvi.com
John M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
Stephen Y. Aryan, Risk Manager
Paul S. Gibson, Director of Finance
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
C��x.C�#.�xx�t�x �5��x�.e �5.ex��t�e
ALEX PADILLA
SENATOR, 20TH DISTRICT
A�SE�,,�
�� � ��
�
�� �
�'C
October 1,2013
City of Palm Desert
Attn: City Council
73510 Fred Waring Dr
Palm Desert,CA 92260-2524
�ear Coiieague,
I respectfully ask for your support of Senate Bi11405 which would phase out single-use plastic bags in California.
Each year in California,more than 13 billion single-use plastic bags are handed out by retailers. CalRecycle reports that
only 3%of single-use plastic bags are actu�lly recycled. The other 97%litter our streams,rivers and coastline, and
endanger birds,marine life and wildlife. Plastic.b�g,s remain one of the top items found during annual beach cleanups.
r
Plastic bags also contribute to blight in our communi�ies and clog local storm water systems. Because plastic bags take
1,000 years to degrade,their impacts are compotxnded every year. California local governments spend more than
$25 million each year to collect and bury plastic bag waste. And the plastic bags that do enter our recycling centers slow
the sorting process and jam machinery.
Earlier this year,I introduced SB 405. This bill would enact a statewide phase out of single-use plastic bags in
California. This legislation is supported by a broad coalition that includes grocers, environmentalists and many local
governments.
Despite strong support, SB 405 fe113 uotes short of passage this year. I remain comxnitted to this effort,but I need your
help. SB 405 will face another vote early next year. Between now and then,I am respectfully asking you to put your
city on record in support of SB 405. The City of Los Angeles took this step in June of this year and j oined 80 other
California cities and counties who support the phase out of single-use plastic bags in their communities.
Please join me in this effort. Attached,please find a sample resolution in support of SB 405,a copy of the bill, and a
fact sheet with additional information. I look forward to working with you so that single-use plastic bags are soon
phased out in our state.
T'hank you for your time and consideration. Please feel free to contact me at(916)651-4020 if you have any questions
or need additional information.
Sincerely,
ALEX PADILLA
State Senator,20�'District
CAPITOL OFFICE: STATE CAPITOL, ROOM 4038•SACRAMENTQ CA 95814•rE�(916)651-4020•FAx(916)324-6645 (�
DISTRICT OFFICE: 6150 VAN NUYS BLVD.,SUITE 400•VAN NUYS,CA 91401 •re�(818)901-5588•Fnx(S18)901-5562 gU
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE SB 405
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
1020 N Street, Suite 524
(916) 651-1520 Faa�: (916) 327-4478
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 405
Author: Padilla (D), et al.
Amended: 5/24/13
Vote: 21
SENATE ENVIRONIV�NTAL QUALITY CONIlVIITTEE: 5-3, 4/17/13
AYES: Hill, Corbett,Hancock, Jackson,Leno
NOES: Gaines, Calderon, Fuller
NO VOTE RECORDED: Pavley
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CONIlVIITTEE: 4-3, 5/23/13
AYES: De Leon, Hill, Padilla., Steinberg
NOES: Walters, Gaines, Lara
SUBJECT: Solid waste: single-use canyout bags
SOURCE• Author
DIGEST: This bill prolubits grocery stores and large reta.ilers from providing
single-use bags to customers beginning January 1, 2015. The ban on single-use
bags expands to convenience food stores,foodinarts,and certain other specified
stores, on July 1, 2016.
ANALYSIS: Existmg law, under the At-Store Recycling Program (part ofthe
California lntegrated Waste Management Act of 1989):
1. Requires operators of stores,defined as supermarkets and stores over 10,000
square feet that includes a pharmacy, to establish an at-store recycling
program, as specified.
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 2
2. Requires plastic canyout bag manufacturers to develop educational materials
to encourage reducing and recycling of plastic carryout bags and make those
materials available to stores.
3. Allows cities and counties to adopt,implement, and enforce local laws related
to local curbside or drop-offrecycling programs.
4. Authorizes a city, county, or the state to levy fines for stores in violation of this
law.
5. Defines "reusable bag" as a bag with handles and made of either cloth or
durable plastic. Requires a reusable bag made of plastic to be at least 2.25 mils
thick and specifically designed for multiple uses.
6. Sunsets the above provisions on January 1, 2020.
This bill:
l. Requires the following of a reusable grocery bag on and after July 1, 2016: (a)
able to be used a minimum of 125 times as specified; (b) can be cleaned; (c)
have specified information visi�ly on the bag or tag; (d) cannot contain lead,
cadinium, or any other heavy metal in toxic amounts; and, (e) must be
consistent with federal regulations related to recyclable claims if the bag
producer claims the bag is recyclable.
2. Provides additional requirements of a reusable grocery bag if made from
plastic.
3. Authorizes the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
(CalRecycle) to do the following: (a) inspect and audit a reusable bag
producerand requires the producerto pay for costs associated with the audit;
(b)test a reusable bag for compliance with the provisions of this bill; (c) enter
into an agreement with other state agencies to conduct inspections necessary
for enforcement; and, (d) assess administrative civil penalties for viola.tions of
provisions of this bill.
4. Requires penalties to be deposited into the Reusable Bag Account for purposes
of implementing this bill upon appropriation by the Legislature.
5. Prolu�its a single-use canyout bag (i.e. paper, plastic, or other material) from
being available at the point of sale to a customer, as specified.
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 3
6. Requires a store, on and after July l, 2016, to make available a reusable
grocery bag at the point of sale.
7. Authorizes a store to make available a recycled paper bag for purchase at the
point of sale.
8. Requires a store to provide a customer participating in the California's Special
Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children with a reusable
grocery bag or recycled paper bag at no cost.
9. Authorizes a store to make a composta.blebag (i.e., meeting certain
compostable and other requirements) available for purchase.
10. Authorizes a city, county, city and county, or the state to impose civil liability
of$500 for the first violation of the proposed law, $1,000 for the second
violation, and $2,000 for each subsequentviolation. Collected penalties must
be paid to whichever agency brought the action. Provides that these remedies
are not exclusive, but are in addition to remedies available under the state's
Unfair Competition Law.
12. Preempts local agencies from adopting a new ordinances relating to reusable,
single-use, or recycled paper bags after January 1, 2014.
13. Contains definitions for various terms for the purpose of this bill.
Back ound
Plastic bags and plastic film together represent 2.2% ofthe waste stream, and every
year California t�payers spend $25 million disposing of the 19 billion plastic bags
used annually. Although plastic represents a relatively sma.11 fraction of the overall
waste stream in California, plastic waste is the predominate form of marine debris.
Plastics are estimated to compose 60-80% of all marine debris and 90% of all
floating debris. According to the California Coastal Commission, the primary
source of marine debris is urban runoff, of which lightweight plastic bags and
plastic film are particularly susceptible. Due to the interplay of ocean currents,
marine debris preferentially accumulates in certain areas throughout the ocean.
The North Pacific Central Gyre is the ultimate destination for much of the marine
debris originating from the California coast. A study by the Algalita Marine
Research Foundation found an average of more than 300,000 plastic pieces per
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 4
square mile of the Gyre and that the mass of plastic was six times greater than
zooplankton floating on the water's surface.
Most plastic marine debris exists as small plastic particles due to excessive W
radiation exposure and subsequentphoto-degradation. These plastic pieces are
ingested by aquatic organisms and have already negatively affected over 250
animal species worldwide. In addition, hydrophobic chemicals present in the
ocean in trace amounts (e.g., from contaminated runoff and oil and chemical spills)
have an affinity for, and can bind to, plastic particles and may also enter and
accumulate in the food cham through the same mechanism.
Local bag ordinances. Approximately 70 local governments throughout California
have adopted ordinances banniug plastic bags including San Francisco, San Jose,
Long Beach, Los Angeles County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County and
others. Most of these cities and counties also require stores to charge a fee for a
paper canyout bag, and a few have banned both single-use plastic and paper
carryout bags.
No correspondin�litter and pollution pro�ram funded bv fees. Although, this bill
authorizes a store to make a recycled paper bag available for purchase at the point
of sale, this bill does not provide a funding mechanism to deal with litter and
pollution, as well as stonnwater, sewer and water treatment facility problems
associated with bag debris. Some previous legislation included fees to be placed
on bags to directly address those problems.
On the other hand, some local governments place requirements on how stores may
expend the money collected from bag purchases. For example, Los Angeles
County allows the money generated by bag purchases and retained by stores to be
used only forthe stores' costs ofcompliance, actual costs ofproviding recyclable
paper carryout bags, or costs for educational materials/campaigns encouraging the
use of reusable bags.
Reusable ba�s are not perfect. Concern has been raised that reusable grocery bags
may have public health implications. For example, reusable bags can harbor
bacteria such as coliform bacteria, but washing the reusable bags can eliminate
99.9% of bacteria. However, a 2011 study examining reusable bags in California
and Arizona showed that 97% of people reported that they never wash their bags.
In addition, a 2012 study, by Jonathan Klick and Joshua Wright, from University
of Pennsylvania and George Mason University, respectively, on the public health
impact of plastic bag bans showed that emergency-room admissions related to E.
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 5
coli infections increased in San Francisco after the ban compared to nearby
counties that did not show the increase. The San Francisco ban was also associated
with increases in sahnonella and other bacterial infecrions. Sirnilar effects were
found in other California local jurisdictions that adopted similar ordinances.
Prior/Related le 's��tion
SB 700 (Wolk) requires grocery stores and resta.urants to collect a charge of$0.05
for each single-use carryout bag provided to a customer and requires the funds
collected to be allocated to reducing and cleaning up litter in local parks and
programs.
The bill bans single-use plastic bags in grocery stores but authorizes paper bags to
be sold and allows the store to retain the fee. SB 700 (Wolk) requires a fee on both
plastic and paper single-use bags in grocery stores and restaurants, and requires the
revenue to be used for local public purposes.
AB 158 (Levine) is similar to this bill and prohi�bits grocery stores from providing
single-use plastic bags to customers,and requires stores to make reusable grocery
bags available for purchase by customers.
SB 1219 (Wolk, Chapter 384, Statutes of 2012) extended the sunset of the At-Store
Recycling Program requirements from January 1, 2013 to January l, 2020 and
repealed the provisions preempting local regulatory action related to the at-store
recycling program requirements.
SB 1106 (Strickland of 2012) prohi�ited the manufacture, distnbution, and sale of
reusable bags without a warning label that both specified the need for reusable
bags to be cleaned and disinfected between uses and outlines the health risks
associated with not cleaning or disinfecting reusable bags between uses. The bill
failed in the Senate Environmental Qua.lity Committee.
AB 298 (Brownley of 2412), prolubited stores from providing single-use plastic
bags to customers,required stores to make reusable grocery bags, as defined,
availa.ble for purchase by customers, and created standards for reusable bags. The
bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.
AB 1834 (Brownley of 2012) defined "reusable bag" for purposes ofthe At-Store
Recycling Program Law and would have specified that on and after July 1, 2013,
the definition of what is a reusable bag under this bill will become operative.
Between January 1, 2013 until June 30, 2013, the current At-Store Recycling
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 6
Program Law would have remained operative. The bill would have become
operative only if SB 1219 (Wolk) became law. The bill was placed on the Senate
ina.ctive file and died on the Senate floor.
AB 1998 (Brownley of 2010) repealed the at-store recycling program and instead
prolubited stores from providing a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer
and required stores to provide reusable bags for purchase or recycled paper bags
for a fee. The bill died on the Senate Floor.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
• One-time costs ofabout $150,000 from the Integrated Waste Management
Fund (special fund) to develop regulations pertaining to oversight of reusable
bag standards.
• Ongoing costs ofapproximately $100,000 fromthe Integrated Waste
Management Fund for enforcement of reusable bag standards.
• One-time costs of$500,000 from the Integrated Waste Management Fund for
reporting requirements.
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/24/13)
Azul
BagIt
California Coastal Coalition
California Coastkeeper Alliance
California State Association of Counties
Californians Against Waste
Central Contra Costa.County Solid Waste Authority
City and County of San Francisco
Cities of El Cerrito, Palo Alto, Sacramento, and Sunnyvale
Clean Water Action
Contra Costa Clean Water Program
Ecology Action
Environment California
Green Chamber of Commerce
Green Sangha
Green Vets Los Angeles
Heal The Bay
Humboldt Waste Management Authority
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 7
La Mode Verte Productions
Los Angeles County Integrated Waste Management Task Force
Marin County Hazardous & Solid Waste Mgmt JPA
Napa Valley CanDo Environment Group
Natural Resources Defense Council
Northern California Recycling Association
Ocean Conservation Society
Pacifica's Environmental Fam.ily
Planning and Conservation League
Plastic Pollution Coalition
Plasticbaglaws.org
Santa Clara County Recycling & Waste Reduction Commission
Santa Monica High School
Save Our Shores
Seventh Generarion Advisors
Sierra Club California
Surfrider Foundation
Team Marine — Santa Monica High School
The 5 Gyres Institute
Turtle Island Restoration Network
United Food& Commercial Workers Western States
Wildcoast
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/24/13)
99¢ Outlet
Achasi's Mini Market
Advance Polybag, Inc.
American Forest and Paper Association
Angela's Drive In Dauy
Arctic Hot Spot
Azusa Council Member Angel Carrillo
Bell Gardens Chamber of Commerce
Bell Gardens Mayor Sergio Infanzon
Brianna's Miss Store
Cities Restaurant
Clear Skies Enterprises
Congress of Racial Equality of California.
Crown Poly, Inc.
Drive In Rancho Market
Eagle Portables
CONTINUED
SB 405
Page 8
EDD
Elkay Plastics Co.,Inc.
ETS
First Store 989
Fiscal Credit Union
GDS Institute
Hilex Poly Co.
Hollywood Work Source Center
La Alicia Meat Market
La Favorita Bakery
La Princesita Market
Linnie's Pet Pampering
Maledzing Shoppe
Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority
Noble Affair
Oldtimers Foundation
Orange County Adult Achievement Center
Pasteleria Tres Leches
Pico Rivera Mayor Gustavo Camacho
Pink
Planet Aid
REAA
So Ca1 Burgers
South Gate Chamber of Commerce
St. Louis Drug Co.
Superbag Operating, Ltd.
Tela.cu
Teresita's
Terminix
The Cantero Group
The Voice Media
Third Baptist Church of San Francisco,Inc.
U.S. Black Chamber, Inc.
Ugly Cherry Cream Nut Pie
Unique Dollar
West Angeles Church of God in Christ
RM:d 5/24/13 Senate Floor Analyses
SiJPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
**** END ****
� I5g
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 8, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
M�1ce Gatto, Chair
AB 158 (Levine) —As Amended: Apr� 9, 2013
Policy Corrnnittee: Natural Resources Vote: 6-3
Urgency: No State Mandated Loca1 Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
'This bill prolubits reta� stores from provid'mg smgle-use bags to customers, and requires retail
stores to provide only reusable grocery bags. Specifically, this b�l:
1) Prolubits stores from providing single-use carryout bags at the point of sale beginning
January l, 2015. This includes bags made of plastic, paper, or other material that is not
reusable, as defined.
2) Requires stores to provide reusable grocery bags after January 1, 2016. The store may
charge the customer for the reusable bags, which mch�de washa.ble fabric and other bags
designed for at least 125 uses. After Ju1y 1, 2017, reusable grocery bags may also inchuie
plastic bags with at least 20 percent recycled material designed for at least 125 uses.
3) Authorizes stores to make recyclable paper bags and compostable reusable bags ava�7able for
purchase.
4) Delays in�plementation of the b�l until July l, 2016 for convenience food stores and
foodmarts that hold a fiquor license.
5) Requires stores to provide reusable grocery ba�s to customers participating in the California
Special Supplemental Food Progam f+�r Women, Infants, and Ch�dren at no cost.
6) Authorizes a certification process for CalRecycle to:
a) Test, inspect, audit grocery bag producers and recover costs from the producer.
b) Impose civil administrative penahies up to $500 far first-time violations and up to
$5,000 for subsequent vio]ations to be deposited in the Reusable Bag Accourrt,
created by this bill.
7) Authorizes local goverrrment and the state to impose civ� penalties u� to $500 for first-tune
o$�enders, $1,000 for second violations, and $2,000 for subsequent violations. These
penalties do not apply to the CalRecycle certification requiremerrts. Proceeds from these
penalties sl�all be paid to the city attorney, city prosecutor, disfirict attorney or Attorney
General that brought the action.
AB 158
Page 2
8) Requires CalRecycle to report to the Legislature by January l, 2017 on the f�llowing:
a) Data to evaluate pollut�n reduction.
b) Reco�unendations to fiuther encourage the use of reusable bag*s.
c) An evaluation inchuling recom�nendations to improve the requirements of the b�71.
d) The distrbution of recycled paper bags.
e) The number and type of violations.
FISCAL EFFECT
1) Sigrrificant one-tune costs to CalRecyle, potentially $500,000 ormore for evaluation, bag
testing and data compiling requirements.
2) Reimbursable costs for the inspection and auditing of bag producers.
3) Non reimbursable upfront costs in the range of tens of thousands of dollars to develop
inspection and auditing procedures. Tlvs activity is permissive.
COMMEN'TS
1) Rationale. The environmental impact of single-use plastic bags is well-docurriented. Plastic
bags comprise 10%of maxine debris and take more than 1,000 years to break down.
Reusable bags have a lower overall impact than single-use bags.
The author contends tl�at approximately 67 cities and counties have adopted local ordinances
barn�ing the use of plastic arxi other single-use bags. Seven cl�ain grocers, including Whole
Foods and Trader Joe's,have also made a business decision to use only paper or reusable
ba�s.
This b�l would achieve some uniformity throughout the state. The bill, however, does not
pre-empt local ordinances relating to single-use bags as long as the ord'mances do not conflict
with the requireirients of the bill.
2) BackQround. Every year California taxpayers spend around $25 m�lion disposing of the 19
bi111ion plastic ba�s used annually. Although plastic represents a relatively small fraction of
the overall waste stream in Cafif�rnia by weight, plastic is the most prevalent form of marine
debris. Plastics are estimated to compose 60 to 80% of all marnie debris and 90%of all
floating debris.
According to the California Coastal Comirrission, the prnnary source of marine debris is
urban runo� of which ligtrtweight plastic bags and plastic film are particularly suscept�ble.
I?ue to the interpla.y of ocean currents, marine debris tends to accumulate in certain areas of
the ocean.
Most pla.sric n�arine debris e�cists as small plastic parricles due to excessive LTV radiation
e�osure and subsequerrt photo-degradation. These plastic pieces are ingested by maruie
organisms and have been proven to negatively a�ect over 250 anunal species worldwide.
AB 158
Page 3
3) L.ocal Ba� Ordinances. Nearly 70 cities and counties tl�roughout Calif+�rnia have adopted
ordinances barming plastic bags including San Francisco, San Jose, Long Beach, Los
Angeles Coimty, Santa C]ara County, Alarneda County. Many of these �cal goverrnnerrts
also require stores to cl�arge a fee for a paper carryout bag, and a few have banned both
singte-use plastic and paper carryout bags.
4) Support• This b�l is su}�ported by nuinerous environmental grou�s, local govertmients, labor
organizations and the State Lands Coirnnission, all of which cite the environmenta.l benefits
and removal cost savings associated with switching to reusable bags.
5) OpUOSitloTi. Tlvs bill is opposed by several paper and plastic bag manufacturers and some
local governments. Manuficturers argue that tivs b�l will have detrnnental economic
im}�acts and job losses in our state.
6) Previous Legislative Attempts. Since 2007, nurr�erous attempts to ban or charge fees for non-
reusable bags have all fa�ed in the Legislature.
7) Related Legislation, Tlvs session, SB 405 (Padilla) is substantially similar to this bi1L
SB 405 is in the Senate Appropriations Corrnnittee.
SB 700 (Wolk), currently in the Senate Environrnental Quality Committee, establishes a five
cent fee on single-use carry bags to provide fimds for local agency litter clean up and
reduction programs.
Analvsis Prepared bv: Jennif�r Galehouse /APPR. /(916) 319-2081