Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill that would prohibit cities and towns from enacting bans on plastic bags.
Senate Bill 493 was criticized by some lawmakers who said it tramples on local control and would cause environmental harm.
The governor said in her veto message Monday that “The disposal and regulation of solid waste is traditionally a public policy issue that Kansans decide at the local level with input from local businesses, waste management providers, and private citizens. As this bill advanced through the process, no evidence was provided demonstrating why the Legislature had a compelling public interest to repeal city and county local control and home rule over these matters.
“This issue is a local decision, and it should be left to local governments based on what’s best for their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses in their community.”
The bill was approved in the Kansas Legislature by a margin that was not considered to be enough to override a veto. Lawmakers approved the bill after hearing concerns from restaurants and other businesses about increased costs resulting from a ban on plastic bags.
