BYOB Bill Would Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags, Raise Paper Fee

Bill 24-24, introduced by Council President Kate Stewart and co-sponsored by Councilmember Fani-González, would ban single-use plastic carryout bags and raise the county's paper bag fee from five to ten cents. Half of the fee revenue would go to retailers and half to the County's Water Quality Protection Charge fund; recipients of SNAP and WIC food assistance programs are exempt. A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025.