BILL NUMBER: SB 228INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator DeSaulnier FEBRUARY 23, 2009 An act to add Section 42357.5 to the Public Resources Code, relating to plastic bags. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 228, as introduced, DeSaulnier. Plastic bags: compostable or marine degradable plastic bags. The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, administered by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, prohibits a person from selling a plastic bag in this state that is labeled with the term "compostable" or "marine degradable" unless, at the time of sale, the plastic bag meets specified standards for those types of bags. This bill would require a manufacturer of a marine degradable or compostable plastic bag meeting those standards to ensure that the marine degradable or compostable plastic bag is readily and easily identifiable from other plastic bags. The bill would specify that "readily and easily identifiable" shall mean a uniform color of green with the label "compostable" and carrying the certification label of the Biodegradable Products Institute. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 42357.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read: 42357.5. (a) A manufacturer of a marine degradable or compostable plastic bag meeting an ASTM standard specification specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 42356 shall ensure that the marine degradable or compostable plastic bag is readily and easily identifiable from other plastic bags. (b) For purposes of this section, "readily and easily identifiable" means a uniform color of green with the label "compostable" and carrying the certification label of the Biodegradable Products Institute.