“Bag Bill” Gets the Go-ahead from the House

This week the House passed House Bill 625, legislation that clarifies state law for businesses in regards to their use of packaging containers such as bags, bottles and other food service items.

HB 625, sponsored by Reps. George Lang (R-West Chester) and Scott Lipps (R-Franklin), prohibits local governments from imposing taxes and fees on the use, sale or consumption of these products, which are known as “auxiliary containers.”

If signed into law, Ohio would join several states that have already passed similar legislation, including Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina.

The OMA has been an active supporter of the bill, previously testifying “… the OMA routinely advocates mitigating locally-imposed restrictions or taxes. In many cases these types of regulations are most appropriately adopted at the federal government level so as to not disadvantage businesses in one state over businesses in another state.”

HB 625 now goes to the Ohio Senate for consideration, and hopefully passes before the end of the December session. 11/28/2018