A California Senate committee gave its OK on a bill that would issue a ban on the distribution of plastic bags by retailers in the state.
Assembly Bill 298 passed the Senate Environmental Quality Committee by a 5-2 vote on July 2, according to state records.
The bill would outlaw retail establishments from handling out single-use plastic and paper bags to customers beginning on Jan. 1, 2014.
The bill offers some exceptions, as the store must have a gross annual sales of more than $2 million, have at least 10,000 square feet of retail space or is a convenience store or food store. Stores would be allowed to offer paper bags and compostable bags for sale.
The bill passed the Assembly, 49-25, and now moves to another committee before the full Senate.