Sponsor: Rep Dan Shaul, District 113 (R)

Recommendation: Support

This bill specifies that all merchants, itinerant vendors, and peddlers doing business in this state must have the option to provide customers with a paper or plastic bag for any item or good purchased. A political subdivision cannot impose any ban, fee, or tax upon the use of paper or plastic bags for packaging any item or good purchased or prohibit a consumer from using a reusable bag. The bill also prohibits a political subdivision from establishing, mandating, or otherwise requiring an employer to provide to an employee a minimum or living wage rate or employment benefits that exceed the requirements of federal or state laws, rules, or regulations. These provisions must not preempt any state law or local minimum wage requirements in effect on August 28, 2015.