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HB 5914

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ACTIONS BY AND AGAINST TOWNS

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 6 co-sponsors

HB 5914 would repeal the ban on single-use plastic bags and require PFAS-free paper straws, affecting retailers, consumers, and manufacturers.

03/11/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5914

Summary of HB 5914

Bill at a Glance

  • Bill Number: HB 5914
  • Title: AN ACT REPEALING THE PROHIBITION ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS AND PROHIBITING THE USE OF PFAS IN PAPER STRAWS
  • Status: Ref. to Joint Committee on Environment
  • Introduced: January 22, 2025
  • Subject: Plastics, shopping bags

Purpose and Intent

HB 5914 appears to address two separate issues related to consumer packaging and safety:
1) Repealing an existing prohibition on single-use plastic bags, effectively restoring the option for retailers to offer single-use plastic bags to customers.
2) Prohibiting the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in paper straws, aiming to reduce PFAS-related exposure from a common consumer product.

The bill, as indicated by its title and referral to the Environment Committee, focuses on packaging materials, consumer products, and public health/environmental risk concerns associated with plastics and chemical additives.

Key Provisions (as suggested by the title)

  • Repeal of prohibition on single-use plastic bags: The bill would remove the current ban, allowing retailers and customers to use or supply single-use plastic bags again. Specifics such as allowable bag materials, thickness, fees, or exemptions would be defined in the bill’s text (not provided here).
  • PFAS prohibition in paper straws: The bill would prohibit the use of PFAS in paper straws, requiring straw manufacturers to use PFAS-free materials or alternative safe production methods. Definitions of “PFAS,” “paper straw,” and enforcement standards would be detailed in the full text.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Retailers and food service establishments: If the plastic bag prohibition is repealed, retailers may reintroduce single-use plastic bags, potentially affecting bag pricing, distribution, and waste management practices.
  • Consumers: Will experience a change in packaging options (availability of single-use plastic bags) and PFAS-related safety protections in paper straw products.
  • Paper straw manufacturers and suppliers: Subject to PFAS prohibition; would need to adjust formulations to ensure PFAS-free products.
  • Environmental and public health stakeholders: The PFAS ban aligns with ongoing concerns about chemical exposure, while the plastic bag repeal could influence litter, recycling, and waste reduction strategies depending on accompanying policies (e.g., fees, recycling programs) included in the final text.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Current stage: Introduced and referred to the Joint Committee on Environment for consideration, discussion, and potential amendments.
  • Next steps: The committee may hold hearings, request fiscal analyses, and propose amendments before moving the bill to the full chamber(s) for debate and a vote. The absence of a specified effective date means any effective date would be set in the bill’s text if enacted.

Notes and Considerations

  • The exact text will define key terms (e.g., “single-use plastic bag,” “paper straw,” and “PFAS”), exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and any phased-in timelines or deadlines.
  • Without the full bill language, details such as fees, recycling requirements, or transition periods remain unknown.

If you’d like, I can add a section once the full text is available, detailing the precise definitions, enforcement provisions, penalties, and any fiscal impact statements.

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

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