Plastic Bag Fee is on the Horizon

Recently, the state legislature passed a bill that would require shoppers to pay a five-cent fee for each single-use paper and plastic bag used at most stores throughout the Garden State. With one-cent going back to the store, the remaining four-cents was to be directed to the “Healthy Schools and Community Lead Abatement Fund” to improving the poor quality of lead-infected waters and paint within schools.  However, the current budget proposal will redirect the fees (which may total $23 million) to the general fund. This bill also prevents municipalities from enacting their own ordinances on the sale of single-use plastic upon enactment. With the bill waiting on the actions of Governor Murphy, there is the possibility of a veto or a conditional veto to make some improvements.