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Bill Seeks To Ban Plastic Bags At Calif. Stores

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies would be banned from giving out single-use plastic bags under legislation being considered in the state Legislature.

Dozens of California cities have adopted similar laws, but proposals for a statewide ban have previously failed in the Legislature.

Sen. Alex Padilla, a Los Angeles Democrat, said Monday that the latest effort, SB405, has support from the California Grocers Association and the California Retailers Association, as well as from environmental groups.

His proposal would ban plastic bags in grocery stores and pharmacies starting in 2015 and in convenience stores and liquor stores by July 2016. He says the plastic bags fill landfills, clog waterways and kill thousands of fish, marine mammals and seabirds.

It's one of several similar proposals under consideration this year in the Legislature.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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