HB 1662

Abstract

Sale and distribution of plastic carryout bags by grocery stores prohibited; civil penalty. Prohibits any grocery store, as defined in the bill, from selling or distributing any plastic carryout bag, as defined in the bill, to its customers on or after January 1, 2027, unless such bag qualifies as an exempt bag, as defined in the bill. The bill provides that any grocery store that violates this provision shall be issued by the Department of Environmental Quality a written warning for the first violation and shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for a second and each subsequent violation as determined by the Director of the Department. The bill also requires any grocery store, no later than January 1, 2027, to develop, implement, and maintain a program to encourage its customers to utilize reusable bags, as defined in the bill.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 10.1-1422.01 and 58.1-1745 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 10.1-1424.4, relating to sale and distribution of plastic carryout bags by grocery stores prohibited; civil penalty.