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Senate committee restores local authority on single-use plastic bag rules; bill moves to Commerce
Summary
Senate File 1598 would reverse the state's 2016 preemption of local plastic bag bans and return authority to cities and counties. Supporters cited litter and microplastics; grocery and business groups warned of a patchwork of local rules and unintended increases in plastic waste from thicker reusable bags.
Senate File 1598, presented April 1 by Senator Fatai with Senator McKeown as chief author, would repeal the 2016 state law that preempted local regulation of single‑use plastic bags and restore authority for cities and counties to adopt their own ordinances.
Supporters included Clean Water Action Minnesota and volunteers who described the prevalence of single‑use plastic in parks and waterways. Avana Stark of Clean Water Action said the bill "doesn't ban bags. It restores local control," and cited contamination, microplastics and cleanup costs. A volunteer trail ranger told the committee that roughly "80 to 90%" of the litter he collects during trail patrols is single‑use plastic, and urged allowing local governments to act.
Opponents included the Minnesota Grocers Association. Its government-relations director, Steve Bartel, told the committee that city-by-city regulation would create an uneven patchwork that could disadvantage small, brick-and-mortar retailers and that some bag bans elsewhere have led consumers to use thicker reusable plastic bags with higher net plastic consumption. He also noted grocery-store bag drop-off recycling programs and urged comprehensive statewide packaging and recycling policy as an alternative.
The nut graf: The bill would restore local control over single‑use bag regulation; proponents argued localities should have discretion to limit plastic litter and protect environment and health, while grocers and some members warned a patchwork of local ordinances could harm small retailers and possibly increase total plastic use if consumers shift to heavier reusable bags.
After testimony and questions the committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and referred Senate File 1598 to the Commerce Committee.
