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The Aim of this Bill:
To promote the use of paper bags and to prohibit (forbid) the use of plastic bags by stores or other retail outlets in Somaliland.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE SOMALILAND LEGISLATURE(PARLIAMENT):
Section 1. Findings. The Environmental Commite of the Somaliland House finds that plastic bags pose a threat to our environment. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and, when discarded improperly, pollute our land and marine environment. Plastic bags pose significant danger to many of the plants, animals and other wildlife that inhabit our country. Plastic bags discarded on land are unsightly and can trap water that stagnates or becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease carrying insects. Paper bags pose much less of a threat to our environment because, unlike plastic bags, they are biodegradable and rapidly break down in the soil or water. Furthermore Turtles and other marine animals sometimes mistake plastic bags for jellyfish or other food. When a turtle swallows a plastic bag, the bag can block the turtle's digestive tract and seriously injure or kill it. Sunken plastic bags can also become affixed to coral and can block out the sunlight that the coral depends upon for survival The Somaliland Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to promote the use of PAPER BAGGS and to prohibit the further use of plastic bags by all stores or retail outlets or any other entity or person in Somaliland.
Section 2. Prohibition on the use of plastic bags. Within 90 days after the effective date of this Act, it shall be unlawful for anyone to distribute plastic bags for customers to use to carry items purchased at a store or elsewhere. Any person who violates this section will be subject to a fine of up to $100 per plastic bag. This prohibition does not apply to plastic bags designed to hold trash or garbage or for plastic bags designed for food preservation or food storage.
Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this Act or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance should be held invalid by a Somaliland court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act or the application of its provisions to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Act shall take effect upon its approval by the president or upon it becoming law without such approval.
Date the Bill was introduced: 2002/12/04
The Somaliland legislature will vote on this Bill becoming law or not on Monday when the date is 2004/2/9
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