Oregon legislators hear public testimony on a proposal to require shoppers to pay five cents per plastic bag at the checkout or bring their own bags. Proponents say the bags harm the environments and are too difficult to recycle. Senator Jason Atkinson, a Republican, supports the Bill for environmental and economic reasons.

Opponents of the Bill say reusable bags can be unsanitary and limit consumer choice.  The also claim many of the reusable bags being purchased by shoppers are made with toxic levels of lead that isn't found in the plastic bags used at grocery stores. At least one more public hearing will be held before the bill goes to a Senate floor vote.