An Act To Phase Out the Use of Single-use Plastic Shopping Bags
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 0057
Committee Amendment CA_A_H18 (House)
Amends: 38 MRSA §1605, 38 MRSA §1605-A

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT .. .fl,, to H.P. 44, L.D. 57, Bill, "An Act To Phase 
Out the Use of Single-use Plastic Shopping Bags" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Reduce Waste by Promoting the Use of Reusable Bags and Recyclable 
Food Service Containers' 
Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the 
summary and inserting the following: 
'Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §1605, as repealed and replaced by PL 1991, c. 475, §1, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 2. 38 MRSA §1605-A is enacted to read: 
§1605-A. 
Promotion of reusable bags and recyclable food service containers; 
recycling of plastic bags 
1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 
following terms have the following meanings. 
A. "Plastic" means an organic or petroleum derivative synthetic or a semisynthetic 
organic solid that is moldable. 
B. "Plastic bag" means a bag made from plastic designed to carry consumer goods in 
a retail transaction for one-time use. 
C. 
"Polystyrene foam" means blown polystyrene and expanded foams using a 
styrene monomer. 
D. "Polystyrene foam food service container" means a container, bowl, plate, tray, 
carton, cup, lid or other item that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam 
and that is designed for one-time use for prepared foods, including service ware for 
take-out foods and leftovers from partially consumed meals prepared by food 
vendors. 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
- "\,;... 
COMMIITEE AMENDMENT"' to H.P. 44, L.D. 57 
E. "Polystyrene foam food service container ordinance" means an ordinance adopted 
by a municipality to reduce waste caused by polystyrene foam food service 
containers and promote the use of locally recyclable alternatives. 
F. "Recyclable" means, with regard to a material that would otherwise be disposed of 
or processed as waste, that the material can be recovered, separated, collected and 
reprocessed for the purpose of using the reprocessed material in the manufacture of a 
new product. 
G. 
"Retailer" means a person that offers consumer goods for sale at retail in the 
State. 
H. 
"Reusable bag" means a bag with handles that is specifically designed and 
manufactured for multiple reuse and is made of cloth, fiber or other machine-
washable fabric or durable plastic. 
I. 
"Reusable bag ordinance" means an ordinance adopted by a municipality to 
promote the use of reusable bags and reduce waste caused by disposable plastic bags. 
2. State policy. Consistent with the State's waste management policies set forth in 
section 1302, it is the policy of the State to promote the use ofreusable bags and locally 
recyclable alternatives to disposable polystyrene foam food service containers as a way 
for consumers to help reduce waste caused by disposable plastic bags and disposable 
polystyrene foam food service containers. 
3. Goals. To support the policy set forth in subsection 2, the State establishes the 
following goals. 
A. By December 31, 2019, at least 20 municipalities in the State will have adopted a 
reusable bag ordinance and at least 20 municipalities in the State will have adopted a 
polystyrene foam food service container ordinance. 
B. By December 31, 2024, at least 35 municipalities in the State will have adopted a 
reusable bag ordinance and at least 35 municipalities in the State will have adopted a 
polystyrene foam food service container ordinance. 
C. By December 31, 2029, at least 50 municipalities in the State will have adopted a 
reusable bag ordinance and at least 50 municipalities in the State will have adopted a 
polystyrene foam food service container ordinance. 
4. Documentation of progress. As a resource for municipalities and the public and 
to assist in the achievement of the goals listed in subsection 3, the department shall make 
available on its publicly accessible website a list of the municipalities in the State that 
have adopted reusable bag ordinances or polystyrene foam food service container 
ordinances and, if available, provide an electronic copy of or an electronic link to each 
adopted ordinance. 
5. Status report. Annually, beginning February 15, 2020, the department shall 
submit to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over 
environmental and natural resources matters a status report on the State's progress toward 
meeting the goals specified in subsection 3 and shall include in the report any 
recommendations for legislation or other action to support the achievement of these 
goals, including the amendment of the goals in subsection 3 if the goals have been 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ,If,, to H.P. 44, L.D. 57 
exceeded, and recommendations for educational efforts or other actions that the State, 
municipalities or retailers may undertake to further promote the use of reusable bags and 
locally recyclable alternatives to disposable polystyrene foam food service containers and 
to further reduce waste caused by disposable plastic bags and disposable polystyrene 
foam food service containers. The report required under this subsection may be included 
in the report required under section 1772, subsection 1. 
6. Recycling of plastic bags. A retailer may use plastic bags to bag products at the 
point of retail sale only if the retailer: 
A. Locates inside the store or within 20 feet of the main entrance to the store a 
clearly marked and easily accessible receptacle for collecting any used plastic bags; 
and 
B. 
Ensures that the plastic bags collected are recycled or delivered to a person 
engaged in recycling plastics. 
The department shall enforce this subsection in accordance with section 347-A but is not 
required to inspect places, buildings or premises governed by this subsection and is not 
required to track or otherwise monitor retailer compliance with this subsection.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment, which is the majority report of the committee, replaces the bill, 
changes the title and establishes a new state policy to promote the use of reusable bags 
and locally recyclable alternatives to disposable polystyrene foam food service containers 
as a way for consumers to reduce waste caused by disposable plastic bags and disposable 
polystyrene foam food service containers. To support that policy, the amendment: 
1. 
Establishes goals for municipal adoption of reusable bag ordinances and 
polystyrene foam food service container ordinances; 
2. 
Facilitates the sharing by the Department of Environmental Protection of 
information regarding municipally adopted reusable bag ordinances and polystyrene foam 
food service container ordinances; and 
3. Directs the department to submit an annual report, beginning February 15, 2020, 
to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environmental 
and natural resources matters that details municipal progress on the goals set forth under 
this policy and includes any recommendations to further promote the use of reusable bags 
and locally recyclable alternatives to disposable polystyrene foam food service 
containers. 
The amendment also retains an existing provision of law that provides for the 
5 
collection and recycling of used plastic bags by retailers but clarifies the responsibilities 
of the department under that provision. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
8 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
Fiscal Detail and Notes 
Approved: 03/13/17 fea~ 
LD57 
LR201(02) 
An Act To Phase Out the Use of Single-use Plastic Shopping Bags 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment'i.f/'' {t/-1'8) 
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
Any additional costs to the Department of Environmental Protection to develop, track and report to the legislature on 
the progress of municipalities in adopting reusable bag and polystyrene foam food service container ordinances are 
expected to be minor and can be absorbed within existing budgeted resources. 
LR0201(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1