BILL NUMBER: SB 915INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Calderon FEBRUARY 18, 2011 An act relating to recycling. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 915, as introduced, Calderon. Recycling: plastic bags. Existing law requires an operator of a store, as defined, to establish an at-store recycling program that provides to customers the opportunity to return clean plastic carryout bags to that store. This requirement is repealed on January 1, 2013. Existing law prohibits a city, county, or other local public agency from taking specified regulatory actions with regard to the recycling of plastic carryout bags. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact subsequent legislation to require a reduction in plastic bag use, establish a mandatory level of recycled content in plastic bags according to a specified schedule, increase funding for recycling education, establish incentives for consumers to return or recycle plastic bags, suspend local plastic bag ordinances, and prohibit local governments from taking certain actions regarding plastic bags. 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. The Legislature hereby finds and declares its intention to enact subsequent legislation that would do all of the following: (a) Require a reduction in plastic bag use by a given deadline. (b) Establish a mandatory level of recycled content in plastic bags, according the following schedule: (1) Twenty percent by year one, of which 15 percent would be postindustrial content and 5 percent postconsumer content. (2) Twenty-five percent by year two, of which 18 percent would be postindustrial content and 7 percent postconsumer content. (3) Thirty percent by year three, of which 20 percent would be postindustrial content and 10 percent postconsumer content. (4) An end goal of a specified percentage. (c) Increase funding for recycling education. (d) Establish incentives for consumers to return or recycle plastic bags. (e) Suspend local plastic bag ordinances. (f) Prohibit local governments from enacting plastic bag bans or fees on plastic bags.