SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - If you want a plastic straw with your drink you may soon have to ask at California restaurants.
Lawmakers in the Assembly sent Gov. Jerry Brown a bill Thursday that would bar full-service restaurants from giving out straws unless customers request them. It wouldn't ban straws outright.
Democratic Assemblyman Ian Calderon of Whittier described the bill as a small step toward reducing plastic use and fighting ocean pollution. The measure would affect full-service restaurants and wouldn't apply to fast food establishments.
Republican Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez of Lake Elsinore says she doesn't believe it will reduce pollution but will punish restaurants.
Restaurants would be warned for first and second violations and fined up to $300 per year for subsequent violations. The restaurant industry doesn't oppose the measure.
Related Content
- California Lawmakers Send Brown Bill Limiting Plastic Straws
- New California Law to Limit Plastic Straws in Restaurants
- Proposed California anti-plastic straw bill draws fire
- Chico State Eliminating Use of Plastic Straws
- Starbucks, citing ocean threat, is ditching plastic straws
- California lawmakers propose edible roadkill bill
- Gov. Brown Discusses California Wildfires
- California joins lawsuit challenging 3D-printed plastic guns
- California regulators nix rules limiting carmaker liability
- California lawmakers considering bills to address school gun violence
