A bill has been passed by the senate of the Georgia General Assembly that would prevent local governments from passing laws that would ban or fine plastic bags sales. The bill is still waited to be voted on in the House.

Athens Mayor Nancy Denson is supporting the bill. She thinks a ban or fine on plastic bags could hurt local businesses in Athens.

Thomas House has been working at the Bell’s Food Store for the last eight years. He told Reporter Wade Barron that paper bags are about forty times more expensive than plastic bags and that he thinks the best option is to use reusable bags.

Athens is one of the few places in Georgia where a significant push exists to ban or tax plastic bags. Reporter Wade Barron talked to Landon Bubb, who is part of the Bag the Bag group, which has been advocating a five cent tax on plastic grocery bags.