H-880                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 972

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Lux, Nelson, Jacobsen, Valle, Meyers and Crane

Read first time 2/18/87 and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

AN ACT Relating to the use of plastic grocery bags; adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) After January 1, 1989, plastic bags larger than twelve inches by eighteen inches shall not be provided at in-state retail grocery outlets for retail customers to use to carry their food and food products.

          (2) As used in this section, in-state retail grocery outlet includes any establishment or recognized grocery department of any establishment in which more than twenty percent of the gross receipts result from the sale of food items for off-premises preparation.  These food items include such products as meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereals, vegetables, fruit, dairy products, coffee, tea, cocoa, carbonated and uncarbonated beverages, candy, condiments, spices, and canned goods, and like products; but does not include prepared hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption.

          (3) The owner of a retail grocery outlet violating this section is subject to a one hundred dollar fine.  Each day of a continuing violation shall be deemed a separate violation.