Plastic Bag Ban In Jeopardy?

Sacramento, CA — A group says it has collected enough signatures for a 2016 ballot measure to derail a new law phasing out plastic bag use at California grocery stores.

Senate Bill 270 is scheduled to take effect in July of next year, and would ban single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and supermarkets. It would allow stores to sell paper bags for 10-cents. In signing the law, Governor Jerry Brown said it would cut down on litter, and protect marine life. However, opponents say the ban will lead to job losses in California.

The American Progressive Bag Alliance, backed by several businesses, says it has collected well over the 500,000-plus signatures needed to place its measure on the ballot. If the referendum qualifies, the plastic bag ban would be suspended until there is a vote.