The original intention of House Bill 16-166, she said, was to prohibit the use of non-compostable plastic bags at stores in the CNMI.
The bill is now in the Senate after it was passed by the House of Representative.
Santos, who attended the opening of the Environment Expo at the Kagman Community Center, wants the CNMI to ban the importation of plastic bags.
She promoted the use of environmental-friendly bags.
But “to be friendly to the business community,” Santos, R-Saipan, said her proposed tax is only “less than a quarter.”
While she admitted that this will still have an impact on the business community, she said “there’s always a burden when it comes to change”
She said her proposal will lead to a better and healthier environment.
The bill will require all stores to provide recyclable paper bags, compostable plastic bags or reusable bags to consumers.
Any individual or company found to be in violation will be charged with a misdemeanor and be fined $100 for the first violation.
For a second violation within the same year, the fine will be raised to not more than $200.
A third violation will increase the fine to not more than $500.
Santos said her bill will help make the CNMI eco-friendly, adding that although recycling plastic bags is being promoted, it has proven difficult and costly.
