The Florida Chapters of the Surfrider Foundation have been hard at work crafting a new bill to deal with plastic bags in Florida. Current state law prohibits local governments from banning, taxing, or limiting 
plastic bags in any way. For the past two years we have worked to overturn that ban, but this year we're trying something a little different! Representative David Richardson (Miami-Dade), has filed HB661, "Disposable Plastic Bags." The bill allows communities with a population of under 100,000 to establish pilot programs for the regulation or ban of single use plastic bags. This bill is a great first step in reducing plastic pollution in Florida. Click here to read the bill. If you're looking for ways to help, please take a moment to contact your State Senator and State Representative and ask them for their support of HB661. We're looking for co-sponsors and advocates, to make sure this bill makes it into law this year! You can also ask your city commission to consider a resolution of support, and to consider becoming a pilot program community when the bill becomes law! Click here to learn more about our Rise Above Plastics campaign in Florida!