RHB/8/18
Sponsored by Brooke Cole, Julianna Burks of Brentwood High School
This legislation was filed in the Environment and Conservation category
Presented as part of the YIG Volunteer 2024 conference
| 1 | BE IT ENACTED BY THE TENNESSEE YMCA YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Section 1: terms in this act will be defined as follows: |
| 4 | Microplastic: a piece of plastic that has a measurement of 5 millimeters in length or smaller. |
| 5 | Biodegradable: the capability of a substance to decompose naturally by microorganisms. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | Section 2: All licensed retailers are prohibited from the use and supplying of non-biodegradable |
| 8 | single use plastic bags. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | Section 3: Retailers may offer customers reusable bags for purchase. The bags provided must |
| 11 | either have biodegradable capabilities, or be of reusable material such as paper, fabric, or |
| 12 | compostable material. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | Section 4: A fine will be imposed on any retailer who violates the policy under the following levels |
| 15 | of regulation: |
| 16 | First offense fine of one hundred dollars ($100) |
| 17 | Second offense fine of five hundred dollars ($500) |
| 18 | Third/ subsequent offense fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000) |
| 19 | |
| 20 | Section 5: Research will be conducted by environmentalists to establish a solution for Tennessee’s |
| 21 | water pollution issue. Results from research will be published to raise awareness of microplastics |
| 22 | within our waterways. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Section 6: This act requires fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) where forty thousand dollars |
| 25 | ($40,000) will be allocated to environmental research and ten thousand dollars ($10,000) will be |
| 26 | allocated to the advocacy and awareness of the growing plastic pollution crisis. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | Section 7: All laws or parts of laws in conflict with this are hereby repealed. |
| 29 | |
| 30 | Section 8: This act shall take effect January 1, 2025, the safety and well-being of the environment |
| 31 | and citizens of Tennessee. |
| 32 |