Bill to Stop Local Taxes on Plastic Bags Passes
With strong NFIB support, legislation that would halt attempts by local governments to ban, tax or otherwise regulate disposable packaging has passed the Senate and the House and is on its way to the Governor for final approval.
The legislation is in response to efforts by some cities and local governments in Michigan to pass a local ordinance that would ban, regulate and tax plastic bags, cups or other disposable packaging and containers within their jurisdiction. Washtenaw county has already passed an ordinance that would apply a ten cent tax on every plastic bag used at a retail establishment and Muskegon county is also looking at a similar law that would ban stores from giving plastic bags to customers and/or impose a fee for each plastic or paper bag they distribute.
In response to these local ordinances, Senator Jim Stamas introduced Senate Bill 853 that would prohibit local governments from passing these kinds of laws. The bill was passed by the legislature on December 1 and has been sent to Governor Snyder.
However, local governments have been lobbying the Governor to veto the bill claiming it infringes on “local control”.
NFIB members are urged to go HERE to contact Governor Snyder and urge him to sign Senate Bill 853 into law.