Plastic Straw Rules: Euless vs Fort Worth

Can a Texas restaurant choose to stop offering plastic straws?

Yes. Private restaurants are free to substitute paper straws or offer straws only on request as a business decision; the preemption only blocks government mandates.

Can Texas cities ban straws in city-owned facilities?

Cities can adopt internal procurement and operations policies for facilities they directly operate, but cannot impose those rules on private leaseholders or independent vendors.

Are biodegradable straw mandates allowed?

Mandates requiring private businesses to use specific straw materials are preempted as solid waste packaging regulation under Section 361.0961.

Are plastic straws legal in Fort Worth restaurants?

Yes. Fort Worth has no plastic straw ban or upon-request requirement. Texas state law preempts local regulation, so restaurants freely distribute plastic straws to customers without restriction.

Can Fort Worth require straws only by request?

Not under current Texas law. Section 361.0961 preempts local single-use item ordinances per the Laredo Supreme Court decision. Texas legislative changes would be required first.