The Ohio Senate included in its state budget proposal a provision to make permanent a temporary ban that blocks cities from taxing the use of plastic grocery bags. Last year, Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law House Bill 242, a temporary, one-year ban on cities from taxing what the law defines as “auxiliary containers:” bags, cans, cups, containers, kegs, bottles or other single-use packaging designed to consume or transport food.
The Senate budget would make permanent this ban, which is set to expire in January 2022. Several Ohio governments have moved to limit plastic bag use over the past few years. For instance: HB 242 delayed implementation of these proposals. The Senate budget would kill them outright.
At least 125 jurisdictions in 22 states have already adopted some form of control over the distribution of single-use carryout bags, according to legislative testimony last year from the Sierra Club. Sen. George Lang, R-West Chester Twp., then as a representative, sponsored the temporary ban on plastic bag taxes. He said to lawmakers it was “pro-business” legislation that will provide “much-needed clarity for practicing commerce” in Ohio.