HB 2233
In CommitteeHouse
Retail bags
Reducing environmental impacts associated with bags provided to customers at retail establishments.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill bans single-use plastic and thin reusable film plastic bags, requires a pass-through charge on paper and reusable film plastic bags (exempt for people using state assistance benefits), and sets material standards for compliant bags. It also prevents local governments from creating new bag rules and directs the Department of Ecology to prioritize permitting for paper bag production capacity.
- Ban on single-use plastic carryout bags and reusable bags made of film plastic thinner than 2.25 mils (until 2028, when the minimum thickness becomes 4 mils).
- Mandatory 20-cent pass-through charge on compliant paper carryout bags (and 12 cents on reusable film plastic bags), with a 4-cent penalty on thinner reusable film plastic bags until 2028; exemptions for customers using WIC, SNAP, or other state assistance benefits.
- Requirements that compliant paper bags contain at least 40% postconsumer recycled content or nonwood renewable fiber (e.g., wheat straw), and be compostable per ASTM standards; reusable film plastic bags must contain at least 40% postconsumer recycled content and meet durability and labeling standards.
- Prohibition on local governments enacting new bag ordinances after April 1, 2020, with limited grandfathering for existing local rules (e.g., a 10-cent charge remains in effect until 2026).
- State-mandated expedited permitting for paper bag manufacturing expansions, and requirements for retailers to collect and display pass-through charges on receipts and third-party platforms.
Who is affected
- Retail establishments — Retail establishments (including grocery stores, pharmacies, farmers markets, and online platforms using third-party services) must stop providing single-use plastic and thin reusable film plastic bags, collect pass-through charges on paper and reusable film plastic bags, and ensure bags meet material and labeling requirements.
- Shoppers and consumers — Customers must pay a 20-cent pass-through charge for paper bags (and 12 cents for reusable film plastic bags, plus a 4-cent penalty for thinner reusable film bags until 2028), unless they use WIC, SNAP, or other state-administered assistance benefits, which exempt them from the charge.
- Paper bag manufacturers — Paper bag manufacturers will need to expand capacity to meet expected increased demand, with the state directing the Department of Ecology to prioritize permitting for new or expanded paper bag production facilities.
- Local governments — Local governments lose authority to create their own bag rules (except for certain pre-2021 ordinances with a 10-cent charge), and must rely on state enforcement and education efforts.
- Food banks and food assistance programs — Food banks and food assistance programs are exempt from bag rules but are encouraged to reduce plastic bag use.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Exemption from the 20-cent bag charge for WIC, SNAP, and other state assistance users directly reduces out-of-pocket costs for low-income households, improving access to essential groceries without added financial burden — especially meaningful for families with children or seniors on fixed incomes.
FinancialPeopleRef: Sec. 3(b)(i); Sec. 4(2)The ban on single-use plastic and thin reusable film bags significantly reduces plastic litter in waterways, roadsides, and marine ecosystems — directly benefiting Washington’s natural resources, fisheries, and public spaces, which support tourism, recreation, and tribal treaty rights.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(a); Sec. 3(b)(i)Reducing plastic bag litter decreases hazards such as road debris (causing accidents), clogged storm drains (increasing flood risk), and entanglement risks for wildlife — improving community safety and reducing public cleanup costs.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(a); Sec. 3(b)(i)The state-mandated expedited permitting for paper bag manufacturing (Sec. 5(1)) may create short-term jobs in paper production and logistics — though long-term employment gains depend on whether new capacity is actually built and whether it benefits local vs. out-of-state firms.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(a); Sec. 3(b)(i)The bill requires retailer and state-led education and outreach about reusable bag benefits and bag requirements — potentially raising public awareness about waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable consumption habits among Washingtonians.
EducationLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(b)(i); Sec. 3(b)(iii)
Potential Concerns (5)
The mandatory 20-cent pass-through charge on paper bags (and 12 cents on reusable film plastic bags) creates a new out-of-pocket cost for all shoppers who rely on store-provided bags, disproportionately affecting low-income households and those using public assistance who may rely more heavily on bagged carryout due to limited storage or transportation options.
FinancialRef: Sec. 3(b)(i) & (ii); Sec. 3(b)(iii)While WIC/SNAP recipients are exempt from the bag charge, the policy does not provide direct financial compensation or rebates to low-income households — only an exemption — meaning the burden falls on those most likely to use food assistance but not those who earn just above eligibility thresholds and lack access to reusable bags.
FinancialLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(b)(i) & (ii); Sec. 4(2)The 4-cent penalty on thinner reusable film plastic bags until 2028 (and the 2028 thickness increase to 4 mils) may reduce the durability and affordability of reusable film bags, potentially encouraging consumers to buy cheaper, lower-quality alternatives that tear more easily — increasing litter and litter-related hazards (e.g., slips, trips, or debris in waterways).
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(b)(i); Sec. 3(b)(iii)The preemption of local bag ordinances eliminates local governments’ ability to tailor policies to community needs (e.g., coastal communities with higher marine debris concerns), reducing local regulatory flexibility and potentially weakening enforcement responsiveness to regional environmental issues.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 6While the ban on single-use plastic bags and thin reusable film bags reduces plastic pollution, the mandated shift to paper bags increases demand for virgin fiber and energy-intensive manufacturing — potentially increasing deforestation, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions if not offset by recycled content mandates and sustainable forestry practices.
EnvironmentRef: Sec. 3(a); Sec. 3(b)(iii)
Who Is Most Affected
Low-income shoppers using WIC/SNAP benefit significantly from the bag charge exemption, reducing daily grocery costs; however, those just above eligibility thresholds may face new expenses without support.
Retailers face new compliance costs (bag sourcing, training, receipt modifications), but retain pass-through revenue — net impact depends on scale: small vendors may struggle with compliance, while large chains absorb costs more easily.
Paper bag manufacturers benefit from state-mandated permitting prioritization and rising demand, but must meet recycled content and compostability standards — potentially favoring larger, vertically integrated producers over smaller regional mills.
Local governments lose authority to set bag policies, reducing their ability to respond to local environmental priorities — though state enforcement may reduce administrative burden for small municipalities.
Food banks and assistance programs are exempt from bag rules and encouraged to reduce plastic use, but receive no funding to support transition — they may face increased costs if they voluntarily switch to more expensive compostable bags.