San Francisco Mulls Requiring Bag Charge At Stores

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shoppers in San Francisco could soon be paying for their paper or plastic.

A Board of Supervisors committee on Monday approved the proposal, which would charge shoppers 10 cents per bag at the grocery store. That charge would jump to 25 cents after two years.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who is sponsoring the legislation, is the one who spearheaded the city's existing ban on one-use plastic bags at grocery and drug stores. Under the latest proposal, that ban also would expand to all retail stores.

Those that don't comply would be fined up to $500 for each infraction.

The legislation does allow for food takeout containers, dry cleaning bags and other exceptions.

The full board is expected to take up the issue next week. If approved, the new rules would take effect on July 1.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.