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BOSTON (AP) — A legislative committee has approved a bill that would establish a statewide ban on single-use plastic shopping bags at supermarkets and other Massachusetts retail stores.
But an organization that's been pushing hard for such a ban isn't happy with the measure, which was advanced on Monday by the panel that reviews environmental legislation.
The Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group argues the committee dropped several key provisions, including a proposed 10-cent fee on paper bags at checkout counters that was designed to encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.
Masspirg also contends the current proposal would pre-empt tougher plastic bag bans already in effect in many cities and towns. The group is urging lawmakers to make changes to the bill before it comes up for final votes in the Legislature.
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