Maryland might become first to enact statewide 5-cent bag charge

Maryland could become the first state to impose a charge for disposable bags this year if a coalition of environmental, religious and business groups persuades lawmakers that a proposed 5-cent fee would help the environment and not burden low-income residents.

The fee, which would apply to plastic and paper bags, comes as at least five other states — Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Washington — contemplate a similar charge. At least six states — Arkansas, California, Florida, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island — are considering banning all disposable bags.

 Douglas Shinkle, a senior policy analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, said momentum for such fees has been growing nationally at a time when cash-strapped states worry that the proliferation of bags in waterways will make it more difficult to comply with strict federal clean-water rules.

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