EUGENE, Ore. - The Oregon legislature is once again debating a plastic bag ban. In 2010, such a proposal was not passed, but a new measure, Senate Bill 536, would ban plastic bags at nearly all retailers within the state. The bill also bans paper bags containing less than 40 percent recycled materials, KVAL News reports.

If approved, Oregon would become the first state to enact a statewide ban on plastic bags. The bill contains provisions to let the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality assess fines to retailers who distribute plastic bags. Local municipalities would be prevented from adding bag charges.

The measure also repeals the current law that says retailers have to offer both plastic and paper bags. The only exemptions from the plastic bag ban would be foodservice locations and pharmacies.

Keith Christman, director of plastic markets for the American Chemistry Council, said the ban would not resolve the main issue of litter. "Neither plastic bags or any other litter belongs in the environment. We all must focus on reducing litter in the first place, not banning or taxing products that are fully recyclable," said Christman.

Meanwhile, three West Virginia lawmakers are pushing for a 5-cent tax on plastic bags used in convenience, drug and grocery stores, WOWK-TV reports. Dels. John Doyle, Bonnie Brown and Clif Moore have banded together to pass the bill, which is currently still in the finance committee.

However, supermarket owners are starting to rally against the proposal. "It seems like they're going to tax each bag that we use and right now we are buying bags in boxes of a thousand and we use between 20 to 30 boxes a week. So your talking about $1,000 and $1,500 a week that tax is going to who knows where," said Ron Martin, who owns Grants Supermarket.

Customers would not be charged the nickel fee; rather, each store would have to pay the fee upfront for each plastic bag purchased. "The cost of goods will have to go up or something will have to happen," said Martin.