NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee lawmakers are sending Republican Gov. Bill Lee a bill that would ban local governments from regulating certain plastic bags and utensils.
The Senate passed the legislation in a 23-7 vote Thursday. The House already approved it, so it next heads to the governor.
The Republican-led General Assembly is reacting to recent consideration by Memphis and Nashville, the liberal-leaning, most populous cities in the state, of proposals to levy taxes against single-use plastic bags.
Democratic Sen. Raumesh Akbari criticized the GOP majority for trying to override the decision-making of local governments.
Republican bill sponsor Sen. Mike Bell said the state already pre-empts cities and counties in various policy areas.
Eleven other states -- including Idaho, Florida and Wisconsin -- have already enacted similar so-called "bans on bans."
