PlasticBagLaws.org

Bag Law Maps

Where U.S. bag laws stand — statewide laws, locally adopted ordinances, and state preemption.

AK9ALARAZ1CA147CO13CT19DC2DEFL°GAHI*5IA1IDIL2INKS1KYLAMA127MD5ME24MIMN1MOMSMTNC°NDNENHNJ39NM2NVNY20OH3OKOR13PA26RI12SC9SDTNTX†UT3VA‡11VT1WA38WIWVWY1BAG LAWSACROSS THE COUNTRYMAP KEYStatewide bag law (12 states + DC)Locally adopted bag laws,not preemptedState preemption oflocal bag laws (20 states)Preemption of bans only —fees allowed (MN)No bag law at any levelSmall figures: local bag laws on record per state — 535 nationwide,many predating statewide laws.*HI — all four counties have bans (de facto statewide).†TX — preemption via court ruling (Laredo, 2018), voidingthe local bag ordinances then on the books.°FL & NC — locally adopted bag laws were repealed or struckdown under state preemption.‡VA — 2020 law lets localities adopt a 5¢ bag tax (11 have).Data: Surfrider Foundation (August 2025)& PlasticBagLaws.org research (July 2026)Original map design: Korin TangtrakulUpdated by PlasticBagLaws.org, July 2026

Updated July 2026. Data: Surfrider Foundation (August 2025) & PlasticBagLaws.org research (July 2026). Original map design: Korin Tangtrakul; updated by PlasticBagLaws.org.

The preemption map

Twenty states bar local bag regulation. The preemption map, and the story behind it, live on the Preemption page.

Preemption

Archived maps

2019 – October 2021

The original map editions by Korin Tangtrakul are preserved as published, clearly dated, together with the archived fact sheets and primer.

Archived maps & fact sheets