A Republican state lawmaker wants Attorney General Mark Brnovich to investigate and crack down on a southern Arizona city that has enacted its own restrictions on plastic bags.
Bisbee has imposed a nickel-a-bag fee on disposable bags in a bid to promote reuse. But a newly reenacted state law specifically prohibits cities from doing that. And another new law lets any legislator ask the AG to investigate and, if a city is in violation, have state aid withheld.
Sen. Gail Griffin of Hereford has now filed such a complaint— the first under the new law. "I think cities need to abide by the statutes that are passed at the Capitol," she said.
Bisbee officials say they're not subject to the law because their bag ordinance was in place first. Plus, they say the Arizona Constitution allows charter cities like Bisbee to enact laws like this one of strictly local concern.
Griffin disagrees. "I think it's a matter of statewide control because there are several other cities that are contemplating and have contemplated this particular issue."
Bisbee officials had no immediate response. But how this gets resolved will have statewide repercussions.