Plastic Straw Rules: Fort Worth vs Keller
How do plastic straw rules rules compare between Fort Worth, TX and Keller, TX?
Fort Worth and Keller have similar restriction levels.
Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Texas state law preempts local regulation of single-use food service items including plastic straws. Fort Worth has no straw ban or upon-request rule; restaurants distribute plastic straws freely without local penalties or fees.
View full Fort Worth rules →Keller, TX
Tarrant County
Plastic straw bans by Texas municipalities are preempted under Health and Safety Code Section 361.0961 and reinforced by HB 2127 (2023). Cities cannot prohibit or restrict food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws to customers.
View full Keller rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Worth | Keller |
|---|---|---|
| Preempting Statute | Texas H&S Code Sec. 361.0961 | - |
| Fort Worth Rule | No straw ban or request rule | - |
| Voluntary Programs | Environmental education only | - |
| Customer Right | Refuse straw at restaurants | - |
| Preemption Source | - | HSC 361.0961 |
| Field Preemption | - | HB 2127 |
| Government Self-Rules | - | Permitted |
| Private Business Mandates | - | Void |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Worth FAQ
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.
Keller FAQ
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.
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