Florida Plastic Bag Bill Legislative Update

Hello, this is an update from Holly Parker at the Surfrider Foundation. We are planning now and need your help! Greetings Friends of our Oceans, Believe it or not, we’re already very close to the 2016 Legislative Session! Here’s what you need to know about our bag bill this year. Representative Richardson and Senator Bullard have filed Disposable Bags (HB143/S306) for the 2016 Legislative Session. This bill is identical to last year’s legislation, with one minor addition- we have defined coastal communities as those touching the Gulf, Atlantic or a bay. HB143/S306 would allow municipalities with populations under 100,000 to create a pilot program to regulate or ban single-use plastic bags.The pilot program runs until 2019 and is limited to coastal communities. HB143/S306 restores home rule and gives local governments the ability to protect their communities from the harmful impacts single-use plastics. How you can help: Contact Rep. Tom Goodson, Chair of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee and ask him to put HB143, Disposable Bags, on the committee agenda ASAP. (321) 383-5151, tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov Contact Sen. Charlie Dean, Chair of the Senate Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee and ask him to put S306, Disposable Bags, on the committee agenda ASAP. (352) 860-5175, dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov Contact YOUR Senator & Representative and ask them to support the bill and sign on as a co-sponsor! Contact your city and county commission and ask them to pass a resolution of support! Over twenty cities have passed resolutions! Attached is a sample resolution. Save the date for Florida Coasts & Oceans Day in Tallahassee on January 21st. Visit your legislators at the Capitol and help pass the bag bill! Click here (within the attached link) to download talking points, and you can find additional information on our bag ban efforts here. Please let me know if you have any questions, and thanks for all your efforts to protect our oceans, waves and beaches! Best, Holly Parker Florida Regional Manager Surfrider Foundation