Sacramento – The state Assembly has narrowly approved a measure that would make California the first state in the nation to ban single-use plastic and paper bags from being handed out at grocery, convenience and other stores.
No Republicans supported AB 1998, which squeaked by Wednesday with the minimum 41 votes needed. Twenty-seven members voted no, and 11 representatives did not cast a vote. The bill, by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, D-Santa Monica, now heads to the Senate for consideration. A spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said this week that the governor supports the bill.
Full story: Assembly approves ban on free, single-use bags
