OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation to prevent cities and towns from imposing a fee on single-use plastic and paper bags.
Stitt signed the bill into law Tuesday after it received final passage in the Oklahoma Legislature earlier this month. The measure also applies to cups, packages, containers and bottles made of cloth, paper, plastic and glass.
The bill was supported by retailers and container manufacturers who claimed municipal bag ordinances would reduce consumer choice and increase the cost of groceries and packaged food. Opponents maintained the measure is government overreach that will prevent municipalities from limiting a leading source of litter and pollution.
Oklahoma was among at least five states considering pre-empting local governments from taxing or banning plastic bags. Eleven other states, including Texas, already have pre-emptions.