Relating to plastic waste.
SB 551 revises Oregon’s statewide rules on checkout bags in retail establishments and restaurants, with the stated purpose of addressing plastic waste. The bill updates statutory definitions for “single-use checkout bag,” “recycled paper checkout bag,” “restaurant,” and “retail establishment,” and removes references to reusable fabric and reusable plastic checkout bags from the core definitions and restrictions. Under the bill, retail establishments may not provide single-use checkout bags to customers, and restaurants may not provide single-use checkout bags either. Retailers may still provide recycled paper checkout bags, but generally must charge at least five cents per bag unless an exception applies.
The bill also preserves and clarifies limited exceptions. Retailers may provide recycled paper checkout bags at no cost to customers using WIC vouchers or EBT cards, while restaurants may provide recycled paper checkout bags at no cost and may provide reusable plastic checkout bags at no cost to customers using an EBT card. The measure also specifies that certain bags used for bulk items, frozen or damp items, prepared food, prescriptions, newspapers, garment bags, laundry/dry cleaning bags, and multi-pack storage or waste bags are not treated as single-use checkout bags. The new statutory language becomes operative on January 1, 2027.
SB 551 amends ORS 459A.755, 459A.757, and 459A.759, tightening and modernizing Oregon’s statewide checkout-bag restrictions while preserving a fee structure for recycled paper bags and targeted exemptions for public-assistance users. It also narrows local government authority by allowing cities, counties, and other local governments to adopt or enforce only provisions that are identical to the state definitions and restrictions, while still permitting local governments to impose a higher fee than five cents if otherwise consistent with state law. The bill affects retail establishments, restaurants, local governments, and customers who receive bags at checkout, especially those using WIC or EBT benefits.
The voting record suggests the bill had majority support but was not unanimous, indicating generally favorable sentiment with some opposition. It passed the Senate committee, Senate floor, House committee, House floor, and Senate concurrence with comfortable but not overwhelming margins. The absence of committee transcripts limits insight into detailed debate, but the pattern of votes indicates broad legislative agreement on reducing single-use bag waste, alongside some reservations about the scope of the restrictions and fee requirements.
The main points of contention appear to be the elimination of reusable fabric and reusable plastic checkout bags from the prior statutory framework and the extent to which local governments may regulate bags differently from the state standard. Another likely area of debate is the balance between environmental goals and consumer convenience or business costs, especially the five-cent bag charge and the treatment of restaurants versus retail stores. The bill’s exemptions for WIC and EBT users also suggest concern about protecting low-income customers from added costs, which may have been a factor in shaping support and opposition.