Plybon says sponsor Senator Mark Hass of Beaverton withdrew the bill this afternoon. He quoted Hass as telling the Environment and Natural Resources Committee there wasn’t enough of a consensus for it.

In Plybon’s words, “It’s sad to see it lose its legs.”

The plastic bag ban was the sleeper bill of the session. It wasn’t given much of a chance of passage until Senate President Peter Courtney indicated he’d be okay with it – if Hass was able to work out differences with groups opposed to the legislation. While I haven’t heard from Hass yet, it appears he wasn’t able to resolve those difference.

Plybon reports that Hass and Chair Jackie Dingfelder pledged to bring the legislation during next year’s session. “We knew it was a long shot,” he says, adding that the debate made “good headway on raising awareness” of the issue.

Meanwhile, Oregon Surfrider remains focused on doing something about getting plastic bags out of the litter stream. The Portland Chapter is calling for a 20-cent fee on all single use plastic bags at stores within the city.

Plybon says he also expects Surfrider chapters along the coast to start similar campaigns in places like Lincoln City and Cannon Beach. He says the initial focus might be on banning styrofoam, which can easily be replaced by products that are more earth friendly and at about the same price.

For more information:

Portland Chapter: Rise Above Plastics Campaign

Surfrider National: Rise Above Plastics Campaign