Business Groups Object To Paper Bag Fee In Massachusetts Environmental Bond Bill

CBS Boston

Updated on: April 16, 2026

As a $3.6 billion environmental bond bill moves through the Massachusetts Senate, some business groups are objecting to a provision in the legislation that would ban plastic bags at stores throughout the state and institute a 10-cent fee for paper bags.

The bill was being debated Wednesday on Beacon Hill, with lawmakers in the Democratic majority speaking in support of the measure. Sen. Jason Lewis of Winchester noted that more than 160 cities and towns in the state already prohibit single-use plastic bags at retailers.

"Seventy percent of Massachusetts residents already live in a community with a plastic bag ban," Lewis said. "The provisions included in the bill today would put in place a uniform statewide policy for eliminating the use of plastic shopping bags."

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