FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON, MA (April 15, 2026) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy association with more than 5,000 members in Massachusetts, issued the following statement ahead of an expected vote in the State Senate later today on a sweeping bill to require a consumer fee on paper bags, among other provisions detrimental to Main Street businesses and their customers.

The Massachusetts Senate will debate a bill that will mandate all stores charge a 10-cent fee for paper bags while banning the use of plastic statewide. Retailers will have no option, as this will be a mandatory fee in which 5 cents is remitted to a new state environmental fund. The bill would also make a wide range of food service ware “by request” only, meaning a customer has to ask for the item. This would include: cups, napkins, condiments, food containers, straws, plates, bowls, trays, cartons, stirrers, cup sleeves, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, and the like.

Finally, the Senate proposal would add a new estimated $1.45 tax on paint, in addition to the state sales tax. This will be added to the cost of paint cans at the point of sale, meaning all consumers will be forced to pay it. This may also lead to many retail shops having to store returned paint cans, many of which do not have the space to do so.

“Once again, the political rhetoric on Beacon Hill is completely at odds with policy when it comes to state lawmakers taking affordability seriously,” said NFIB’s Massachusetts state director Christopher Carlozzi. “The last thing Commonwealth small businesses need is additional mandates, fees, and taxes that make owners’ jobs more difficult and products and services more expensive for their customers. Customer satisfaction is vital to small businesses, and making service ware like straws, condiments, napkins, containers, etc. “by request” only could disrupt that business-consumer relationship. If a customer drives away forgetting to request a straw for their ice coffee or milkshake, they will blame the business for not including it, just as with other proscribed items that are expected by consumers. The bill’s new tax on paint in Massachusetts is estimated to cost $1.45 per can of paint, which will drive up costs for shoppers by adding additional expenses on top of the 6.25% state sales tax. This will just drive consumers to neighboring states to make their purchases. We urge senators to reject this unwise bill that in no way makes Massachusetts more competitive or affordable.”

###

For over 80 years, NFIB has been the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses and remains so today. For more information, please visit www.NFIB.com.