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HD 251

An Act authorizing the town of Sudbury to establish a fee for checkout bags

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Carmine Gentile

The bill lets Sudbury set and enforce a minimum 10-cent checkout bag fee, with revenue kept by retailers and the fee itemized on receipts.

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Bill Summary · HD 251

Summary: An Act authorizing the town of Sudbury to establish a fee for checkout bags (HD 251)

Purpose and intent

This bill authorizes the Town of Sudbury to establish and enforce a fee on checkout bags provided by retail establishments within the town. The intent is to reduce the use of disposable bags and to create a framework for local regulation and enforcement, with costs or savings potentially influencing consumer behavior and waste reduction.

Key provisions

  • Minimum fee requirement: Any retail establishment in Sudbury that offers checkout bags must charge at least $0.10 per bag, with the exact amount to be established by regulations issued by the Sudbury Board of Health.
  • Revenue retention: All money collected from the checkout bag fee is retained by the retail establishment (i.e., the city/town does not receive the revenue).
  • Receipt disclosure: The checkout bag charge must be itemized on the receipt and labeled as the “checkout bag charge.”
  • Enforcement: The Sudbury Health Agent or designee is empowered to enforce the law and related regulations. Enforcement may use noncriminal disposition and other lawful remedies.
  • Regulatory authority: The Sudbury Board of Health may adopt and amend rules and regulations to carry out the act’s purposes.
  • Severability: If any provision is invalid, the remaining provisions remain in effect.

Definitions (Section 1)

  • Checkout Bag: A bag provided at the point of sale, with several exceptions (e.g., produce bags used by consumers, pharmacy bags for prescriptions, non-handled bags used to protect other items, or non-handled garment-hanger bags).
  • Retail Establishment: Any business that sells goods directly to consumers, including stores, restaurants, pharmacies, convenience/grocery stores, liquor stores, and seasonal or temporary businesses.

Implementation and timeline

  • Effectiveness: The act takes effect three months after passage.
  • Regulatory framework: Regulations and guidance to set the minimum fee and ancillary rules would come from the Sudbury Board of Health.

Who/what is affected

  • Affects retail establishments in Sudbury that provide checkout bags.
  • Affects customers who purchase goods and would be charged the “checkout bag charge.”
  • Local government role: Sudbury Board of Health and Health Agent responsible for enforcement and rulemaking.

Background and context

  • The proposal references a similar matter filed in a prior session (2023-2024) and notes local approval status in the docket. It reflects a broader trend of municipal level bag-fee authority.

Notes: This summary reflects the bill’s text and stated provisions. If enacted, local officials and retailers would implement the fee structure and enforcement in Sudbury.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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