Louisiana law (LA RS 33:4881, enacted 2020) preempts local governments from banning, taxing, or regulating plastic bags, polystyrene, and similar containers. New Orleans cannot adopt a bag ban or fee under current state law.
In 2020, the Louisiana Legislature adopted LA RS 33:4881, which prohibits parishes and municipalities from regulating, banning, or imposing fees on auxiliary containers, including plastic bags, foam containers, cups, and bottles. The statute was enacted in part as a response to ban proposals in New Orleans, Lake Charles, and other cities. As a result, New Orleans cannot impose a local plastic-bag ban or charge, even though the City Council and Climate Action Plan have endorsed reductions. Voluntary retailer programs and reusable-bag campaigns remain the primary tools available locally.
Because the state preempts the issue, there are no local ban penalties to enforce. Cities passing such bans risk preemption challenges under LA RS 33:4881 and likely judicial invalidation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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