LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Efforts to rid Michigan communities of plastic shopping bags would be banned under legislation headed to Gov. Rick Snyder.
The Republican-controlled House approved the bill on a mostly party-line 62-46 vote Thursday. The measure won Senate passage in May.
The bill would prohibit local governments from regulating, prohibiting or imposing a fee on the use or sale of “auxiliary containers” — which are defined as reusable or single-use bags, cups, bottles or other packaging from stores and restaurants.
More than 150 municipalities across the country have banned the environmentally unfriendly plastic bags or charged a fee.
None are in Michigan, though at least two counties — Washtenaw and Muskegon — have considered whether to limit the bags.
Democrats said the state should not strip local communities of decision-making.
