Senate committee adopts amendment to curb single-use plastics, forwards bill to floor

The Oregon Senate Energy and Environment Committee on March 3 adopted a dash-3 amendment to Senate Bill 551 and voted to forward the bill to the full Senate with a due-pass recommendation.

The dash-3 amendment modifies the bill's definition of a single-use checkout bag and phases in a set of prohibitions. According to committee staff summary presented on the record, the amendment: restricts provision of certain checkout bags; prohibits food-and-beverage providers and convenience stores from providing single-use plastic utensils or single-use condiment packaging unless requested, beginning July 1, 2026; prohibits lodging establishments with 50 or more sleeping accommodations from providing personal health or beauty products in small plastic containers as of Jan. 1, 2027, and expands that lodging prohibition to establishments with one or more sleeping accommodations as of Jan. 1, 2028. Committee staff also described the amendment as having a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue effect.

Committee members debated the amendment and the bill. Several senators said they support the effort to reduce plastic pollution on Oregon beaches and waterways and noted engagement with stakeholders, including the state's paper and pulp industry, which some members said stands to gain from increased use of paper bags. One member spoke against the bill on general principle of consumer and business choice. Another expressed concern about the impacts on timber and paper communities but ultimately supported the amendment because of its phased approach and stakeholder engagement. Committee members emphasized the bill is narrowly targeted at particular single-use items, not all plastics in commerce.

Committee action included two recorded votes. Vice Chair Brock Smith moved adoption of the dash-3 amendment. Roll call on the amendment recorded Senator Bamm: Aye; Senator Robinson: No; Vice Chair Brock Smith: Aye; Chair Solman: Aye. The amendment was adopted. Brock Smith then moved that Senate Bill 551, as amended, be recommended to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee recorded Senator Pam: Aye; Senator Robinson: No; Vice Chair Brock Smith: Aye; Chair Solman: Aye. The motion carried and the chair said she would carry the bill to the floor.

Next steps: The committee closed its work session on Senate Bill 551 and the measure will be scheduled for floor consideration per Senate procedures.

Sources: Committee staff summary presented at the March 3 committee work session and roll-call votes recorded on the hearing record.