United States

Proposed California Anti-Plastic Straw Bill Draws Fire

A California lawmaker is taking flak for a measure that would make it illegal for servers to offer plastic straws with drinks unless they're asked.

Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon introduced a bill last week making unsolicited straw-providing a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. However, Calderon says it will be amended to eliminate the penalties.

The measure would apply to sit-down restaurants, not bars or fast-food places.

As expected, critics have heaped scorn, calling it government overkill. One asked whether the measure would also apply to cocktail umbrellas.

But the bill has a serious purpose. Calderon says it's aimed at reducing the environmental damage from tons of plastic that wind up each year in U.S. landfills, waterways and the ocean.

Copyright The Associated Press
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