First hearing held to discuss proposed bag ban in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - A bill proposing a ban on plastic bags in Montgomery County had its first public hearing Tuesday.

Bill 2424, also known as the "Bring Your Own Bag" bill, was introduced in October. If passed, it would repeal the 5-cent tax on plastic bags and implement a ban on plastic carry-out bags in Montgomery County. Exceptions include perishable items, bulk items such as fruit and vegetables, and garments or dry-cleaned clothes.

Businesses would charge a 10-cent bag tax for each paper carry-out bag with some exceptions, such as prescription drugs. The bill also notes "live fish, insects, mollusks, or crustaceans" are also exempt.

What they're saying:

At the hearing Tuesday, at least 24 people were signed up to speak. Most spoke in favor, including a representative from the Sierra Club, a grassroots environmental organization.

"The world is facing a plastic pollution crisis. Plastic carry-out bags are a major culprit. Paper bags are another single-use product with heavy upstream environmental impacts," the representative said.

The lead sponsor of the bill is Montgomery County council president Kate Stewart. The purpose of the bill is to "advance protections for environmental and human health", the measure states.

"Plastic bags take more than 1,000 years to decompose. As the plastic breaks down, microplastics are leached into our soil and water, which impacts human health and animals that encounter plastics become at risk. The bill seeks to promote a culture that encourages individuals to bring their own bag, as a result, it would reduce litter; plastic waste in the County waterways; and support a cleaner, healthier future," according to bill.

Shoppers FOX 5 spoke with offered mixed reactions. Some say they do not mind the current 5-cent tax on plastic bags, but they do not agree with a ban.

"It’s not fair, because I always use and recycle the bags, the plastic ones," a shopper told us. "I bring my bags but once in a while, I might need a bag. Once in a while, so I don’t like to pay but better than not being able to get it."

Another shopper said she also always uses reusable bags. She does not have a problem with a ban.

"It’s wasteful. They [plastic bags] end up blowing all over the street and even though they say they can be recycled, they aren’t recycled," she said.

Another man questioned the effectiveness of a proposed ban.

"If we throw it on the floor, that’s not good. Those who are responsible shouldn’t have to worry about it," he said.

What's next:

There was no vote on the bill Tuesday. It moves ahead to the Montgomery County council’s Transportation and Environmental committee next, before back to the council for a vote after possible amendments or a recommendation from the committee.

Councilmember Stewart is also a member on the T&E committee.

You can read the full bill below: