Florida bill seeks to push back local paper straw regulations
Key takeaways
- Florida lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 958 and House Bill 2195 to limit the authority of cities and counties to regulate drinking straws and stirrers.
- The bill argues that paper straws may pose health risks due to PFAS content and can marginalize people with disabilities.
- The bill exempts prepackaged beverages and medical or senior care facilities from the requirements.
Florida has introduced a bill that aims to limit the authority of cities and counties within the US state to regulate drinking straws and stirrers. If passed, the law would take effect immediately.
Senate Bill 958, filed alongside an identical House bill, HB 2195, would limit local regulations and give governments until January 1, 2027, to amend any existing ordinances that do not comply with the proposed state standards.
The bill aims to harmonize fragmented legislation and reduce exposure to PFAS.
“Independent university studies have shown that most paper straws contain harmful PFAS chemicals, exposure to which is linked to concerning health risks,” states the bill.
“Paper drinking straw regulations marginalize residents with disabilities for whom paper straws are not an option. Any regulation of drinking straws and stirrers must be based on government policy driven by science.”
Targeting food businesses
The legislature is intending to combat the “harmful impacts of paper drinking straws and stirrers” and offer businesses and residents “better alternatives to single-use plastic straws and stirrers.”
Moreover, the bill seeks to promote uniformity of drinking straw and stirrer regulations throughout Florida, rather than “forcing businesses to comply with a patchwork of local regulations.”
“If a local governmental entity elects to enact any rule, regulation, or ordinance regarding the use, disposition, sale, prohibition, or restriction of drinking straws or stirrers, such rule, regulation, or ordinance must require that drinking straws or stirrers be: renewable, home compostable certified, industrial compostable certified, and marine biodegradable,” states the bill.
However, the rule does not apply to drinking straws or stirrers that are sold, distributed, or used with prepackaged drinks at commercial establishments, or those used in hospitals, medical care facilities, or senior care facilities.
The bill follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement last year expressing his support for a return to plastic drinking straws. President Trump planned to reverse former President Joe Biden’s plan to phase out plastic straws across the US.
Trump later signed an Executive Order to end the “procurement and forced use of paper straws.”
