BILL NUMBER: SB 915	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MARCH 25, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Calderon

                        FEBRUARY 18, 2011

   An act  to add Section 42254.5 to the Public Resources Code,
  relating to recycling.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 915, as amended, 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This requirement is repealed on January 1, 2013.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
  require plastic bag use to be reduced by an
unspecified percent by an unspecified year. The bill also would
establish a mandatory level of recycled content in plastic bags
according to a specified schedule. The bill would require the
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to establish a working
group of stakeholders to develop strategies for increasing the
recycling of plastic bags and develop suggestions for funding
increased consumer awareness  .
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no
  yes  . State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   SECTION 1.    Section 42254.5 is added to the 
 Public Resources Code   , to read:  
   42254.5.  (a) Plastic bag use shall be reduced by ____ percent by
year _____.
   (b) Plastic bags shall contain a mandatory level of recycled
content, according to the following schedule:
   (1) Twenty percent by 2013, of which 15 percent would be
postindustrial content and 5 percent postconsumer content.
   (2) Twenty-five percent by 2014, of which 18 percent would be
postindustrial content and 7 percent postconsumer content.
   (3) Thirty percent by 2015, of which 20 percent would be
postindustrial content and 10 percent postconsumer content.
   (c) The department shall establish a working group of stakeholders
to develop strategies for increasing the recycling of plastic bags
and to develop suggestions for potential funding for increased
consumer awareness.  
  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.