COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina lawmakers are poised to make the Palmetto State the 18th state in the country to enact a law that prevents cities and towns from taxing or banning plastic bags, takeout food containers, cups, and other food packaging items used by restaurants and stores. The South Carolina Senate Labor, Commerce & Industry Committee is scheduled to hold an April 12th hearing on House Bill 3529, legislation that would preempt local politicians’ ability to impose such taxes and regulations. The South Carolina House of Representatives passed HB 3529 in February, so Senate passage is the final hurdle that must be cleared in order for the bill to be sent to Gov. At the March 7th subcommittee hearing on HB 3529*, the store owner of a Piggly Wiggly in Beaufort, SC described the harm that the locally-imposed bag ban has on his business. Until that testimony from the South Carolina Surfrider Foundation representative, this author was unaware that environmentalists were so concerned with corporate brand building.

Source: Forbes March 23, 2018 19:30 UTC