FL H0143

Authorizes municipalities with populations under 100,000 in coastal communities (those abutting or bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, or a bay) to establish pilot programs to regulate or ban disposable plastic bags.

Pilot program ordinances must take effect no earlier than January 1, 2017 and expire no later than June 30, 2019, and cannot include new taxes or fees on disposable plastic bags.

Municipalities participating in pilot programs must collect data on the impact of their regulation or ban and submit a report to their governing body at a public hearing by April 1, 2019, with a copy provided to the Department of Environmental Protection.

Requires the Department of Environmental Protection to analyze the need for regulation of auxiliary containers, wrappings, and disposable plastic bags and submit recommendations to the Legislature by February 1, 2010.

Prohibits local and state government agencies from enacting rules, regulations, or ordinances regarding disposable plastic bags until the Legislature adopts the department's recommendations.