Lawmakers dump Prince George's plan for plastic bag tax

A bill sought by the Prince George's County Council to charge shoppers who use plastic bags failed to clear the General Assembly, lawmakers said.

Senate Bill 721, which would have given the county permission to levy a five-cent "bag tax" on disposable bags at convenience and grocery stores, died after only 12 of 23 county delegates supported the measure in a vote April 5. Sixteen votes were needed for the measure to go for a full House vote.

"It's very disappointing to me, personally," said County Councilwoman Mary A. Lehman (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel, who had requested the legislation as a way to cut down on litter and encourage the use of reusable bags. "But good bills rarely pass the first time out."