* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Henry
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Request for State Action - Support the Community Cleanup and Greening Act of 2016
FOR the purpose of calling for passage and enactment of House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 57, the Community Cleanup and Greening Act of 2016, to ban most carry-out plastic bag distribution by retailers and institute fees for disposable carry-out paper bags in order to reduce plastic trash in our neighborhoods, create a more sustainable future for our waterways and Bay, and lower overhead costs for our retailers.
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Recitals
Plastic bags account for a significant portion of trash and litter pollution in our neighborhoods and waterways, including streams and rivers that flow to the Chesapeake Bay. This litter blights our communities, degrades the economic and recreational value of the Bay, and costs taxpayers millions each year on trash remediation, Bay restoration, and litter pickup. House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 57, the Community Cleanup and Greening Act of 2016, would change all this by instituting a state wide ban on the distribution of most carry-out plastic bags by retailers and establishing a charge for disposable carry-out paper bags provided in stores.
Passing the Community Cleanup and Greening Act of 2016 would be a win for communities, a win for our waterways, a win for retailers, and a win for local governments. A State analysis of similar legislation introduced in the last General Assembly session determined that it would likely raise tens of millions of dollars for State and local environmental and food access efforts while reducing disposable bag consumption by at least a third in its first year of implementation. Since the enactment of similar legislation in Washington D.C., results have shown a 60% reduction in bag use, and a 60% reduction in litter. Only 8% of D.C. business owners oppose the law and its implementation.
This commonsense legislation builds on models that have succeeded in other states and municipalities nationwide and throughout the world. It deserves to be enacted here in Maryland as well.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Council calls for passage and enactment of House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 57, the Community Cleanup and Greening Act of 2016, to ban most carry-out plastic bag distribution by retailers and institute fees for disposable carry-out paper bags in order to reduce plastic trash in our neighborhoods, create a more sustainable future for our waterways and Bay, and lower overhead costs for our retailers.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House Speaker, the Mayor, and the Mayor�s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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ccres/RSAClean&Green/tw
dlr16-1386(2)~intro/08Jan16
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ccres/RSAClean&Green/tw