Arizona lawmakers vote to block plastic bag bans

Arizona’s legislature has passed a bill that would prohibit localities from banning disposable plastic bags.

The measure approved Thursday is targeted at Tempe, which is considering banning one-time-use bags in grocery stores and elsewhere, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. It would also block prohibitions on foam food containers.

{mosads}The bill would also prohibit towns, cities and counties from requiring businesses to report their energy consumption, as has been proposed in Phoenix, the Business Journal said.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) now must consider whether to enact the legislation.

Multiple cities across the country have enacted bag bans or energy disclosure rules, including San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Supporters of the measure argue that it would protect businesses from overly burdensome rules that could cost them greatly.

The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposes the bill, as do environmental groups.