Texas House Bill HB3427

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers; providing civil and administrative penalties.

Impact

The bill will directly impact numerous businesses across Texas, particularly retail establishments and food service providers. It imposes stipulations that plastic checkout bags must be accompanied by recycling programs, necessitating that businesses provide collection bins for used bags and maintain records of their recycling efforts. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is tasked with overseeing these programs and ensuring compliance, thereby changing how businesses manage plastic waste and environmental concerns.

Summary

House Bill 3427 addresses the requirements for businesses that offer plastic checkout bags to customers, with an aim to promote environmental responsibility and recycling efforts. The bill mandates that businesses must provide reusable bags for purchase at a reasonable price before offering plastic bags to customers. This provision encourages businesses and consumers to transition towards more sustainable practices by utilizing reusable alternatives and discourages reliance on single-use plastic checkout bags.

Contention

While supporters argue that HB 3427 will significantly reduce plastic waste and enhance recycling rates, there has been some contention regarding the added burden on small businesses. Opponents express concern over the potential financial implications and operational challenges that may arise from implementing the required recycling programs. Furthermore, businesses with fewer than 51 employees or those that provide plastic bags to less than 10% of their customers are exempt, which raises questions about equitable responsibilities among different sizes of businesses in environmental stewardship.