Repeals section 260.283 relating to paper or plastic bags for packaging items

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jo Doll

Allows localities to regulate and charge for bags by repealing the state requirement to offer paper/plastic bags and bans on local bag rules.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

#naturalresources #departmentof #waste-hazardous

Summary of Bill HB 2823 (2026) – Missouri

Purpose and intent

Repeals existing state law that requires merchants, itinerant vendors, and peddlers to offer customers a choice between paper or plastic bags for packaging purchased items.

Eliminates a statewide provision restricting political subdivisions from banning, imposing fees, or taxing the use of paper or plastic bags, and from prohibiting reusable bags for packaging.

Key provisions and changes

Repeal of Section 260.283, RSMo: The bill repeals the statute that currently:

Mandates that merchants, itinerant vendors, and peddlers provide a paper or plastic bag option for packaging purchases, where bag choice aligns with the size and manner of the purchase.
Prohibits political subdivisions from enacting bans, fees, or taxes on paper or plastic bags, and from prohibiting the use of reusable bags for packaging.

With the repeal, there would be no state-mandated requirement for bag provision or bag-type options, and no statewide prohibition on more restrictive local bag regulations or on local bag fees or bans.

Who would be affected

Merchants, itinerant vendors, and peddlers operating in Missouri (statewide) would no longer be obligated by state law to offer a paper or plastic bag option for packaging.

Political subdivisions (cities, counties, and other local government entities) would once again be able to impose bans, fees, or taxes on bag types (paper/plastic) and/or regulate reusable bag usage, subject to any other applicable laws or local ordinances.

Consumers would be affected by the potential for local bag policies or lack thereof, depending on local ordinance decisions or changes following the repeal.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action history:

Introduced and read first time: January 7, 2026
Read second time: January 8, 2026
Referred to Emerging Issues (H) for consideration: May 15, 2026

The bill’s text indicates a straightforward repeal of the specified provision, with no new regulatory requirements or alternative packaging mandates added.

Additional context

The bill is described as similar to HB 3062 (2026), implying parallel reforms in other Senate or House proposals.

No fiscal impact is specified in the provided summary; repealing the bag provision could shift costs or savings related to packaging practices, local bag policies, and potentially environmental or consumer behavior considerations depending on subsequent local regulations.

If you’d like, I can contrast this with current Missouri packaging-related laws or outline potential local policy scenarios that could emerge if the repeal takes effect.