SB551 aimed to reduce plastic waste by banning certain single-use and reusable plastic items at checkout and in lodging and food businesses. Starting January 1, 2027, the law prohibits restaurants and retail stores from providing reusable plastic or fabric checkout bags, and instead encourages recycled paper bags (with a minimum fee in some cases). It also phases in rules (beginning in 2026-2028) that require plastic utensils, condiment packaging, and small plastic personal-care product containers at lodging establishments to be provided only upon request.

The Oregon State Senate passed SB551 on May 27, 2025 by a vote of 22 to 8. We have assigned pluses to the nays because government should not interfere in commerce or the free market, nor violate America’s founding principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Additionally, this legislation advances the false climate-change narrative promoted by the globalist United Nations’ Agenda 2030.