Florida Lawmakers Consider Ban on Plastic Straw Bans

Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would place a five-year suspension on municipalities’ banning the use of plastic straws. In addition to stopping local authorities from banning plastic straws, the proposed bill was amended to create a $25,000 fine for local governments that regulate plastic straws.

According to The Guardian, the move goes against previous efforts by the state to mitigate the environmental damage caused by plastic straws. The measure, under consideration by lawmakers, is pending a study from the state’s department of environmental protection.

The Guardian has more information:

In the growing war against the environmental impact of plastic, Florida seems to be taking a giant step backwards by pushing legislation that would stop local authorities from banning plastic straws, a move that has, not surprisingly, angered many environmentalists.

The bill, under consideration by lawmakers, would place a five-year suspension on municipalities’ banning of plastic straws, pending a study from the Florida department of environmental protection.

Calling the banning of plastic straws “government overreach”, the Florida state senator Travis Hutson also amended the bill to create a $25,000 fine for local governments that regulate the material and another ban on municipal regulation of sunscreens that harm coral reefs, the Miami Herald reported.

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