A bill in House committee, short title ?Ban Certain Single-Use Bags,? would prohibit retailers from providing customers with plastic bags. It passed the Senate 47-1. While originally it was applicable to the entire state, the version now in the House would restrict only those counties “which includes a barrier island or barrier peninsula,” its population is at least 200, and ?contains either a National Wildlife Refuge or a portion of a National Seashore.?

It also contains some other odd regulatory provisions. Only unpackaged fish, meat, poultry, and produce may be given a plastic bag (sorry Brach?s candy). Also, if the customer brings his or her own reusable bag (which must be cloth or at least 2.25mm thick!) a refund must be offered equal to the cost to the retailer of an equivalent number of paper bags. I wonder if a new refund program will need to be installed on every cash register, and if calipers will be supplied to every cashier.