S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4330
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
February 9, 2017
___________
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Govern-
ment Operations
AN ACT to amend the tax law and the general business law, in relation to
an instant tax rebate of three cents per reusable bag furnished to
replace a plastic carryout bag by a customer of a retail store
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 1210 of the tax law is amended by adding a new
subdivision (k) to read as follows:
(K) NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW TO THE CONTRARY, AN
INSTANT REBATE OF THREE CENTS FROM THE TAXES AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTIONS
TWELVE HUNDRED ONE THROUGH TWELVE HUNDRED FOUR OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
ISSUED PER REUSABLE BAG, AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED NINETY-
NINE-EEE OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, FURNISHED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A
PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAG, AS DEFINED IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-
EEE OF THE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW, SHALL BE APPLIED TO ANY TAXES TO BE
PAID ON THE TRANSACTION. THIS REBATE SHALL NOT REDUCE THE AMOUNT TO BE
REMITTED TO LOCAL TAXING JURISDICTIONS.
§ 2. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-
eee to read as follows:
§ 399-EEE. REBATE ON SALES TAX FOR USE OF REUSABLE CARRY OUT MERCHAN-
DISE BAGS. 1. DEFINITIONS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING
TERMS SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
(A) "PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAG" MEANS A PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAG PROVIDED BY A
STORE TO A CUSTOMER AT THE POINT OF SALE.
(B) "RETAIL STORE" MEANS ANY BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, A GROCERY STORE, CONVENIENCE STORE, DAIRY PRODUCTS
STORE, PRODUCE MARKET, DEPARTMENT STORE, GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE,
CLOTHING STORE, HARDWARE STORE, PHARMACY, DRUG STORE, HOTEL, RESTAURANT,
SODA FOUNTAIN, GASOLINE STATION, OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR MERCANTILE ESTAB-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD09794-01-7
S. 4330 2
LISHMENT OFFERING GOODS AND/OR SERVICES AT RETAIL TO INDIVIDUAL CONSUM-
ERS, AND/OR ANY OTHER ESTABLISHMENT WHICH IN THE REGULAR COURSE OF BUSI-
NESS SELLS OR RENTS GOODS OR SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC.
(C) "REUSABLE BAG" MEANS:
(I) A BAG MADE OF CLOTH OR OTHER MACHINE WASHABLE FABRIC THAT HAS
HANDLES; OR
(II) A DURABLE PLASTIC BAG WITH HANDLES THAT IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED
AND MANUFACTURED FOR MULTIPLE REUSE.
2. REUSABLE BAG REBATE. WHENEVER A RETAIL STORE WOULD USE A PLASTIC
CARRYOUT BAG BUT DOES NOT DUE TO THE USE OF A REUSABLE BAG FURNISHED BY
THE CUSTOMER, THE RETAIL STORE SHALL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (K)
OF SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE TAX LAW, REDUCE ANY TAXES ADMINIS-
TERED AND COLLECTED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION ON THE TRANSACTION BY
THREE CENTS PER REUSABLE BAG FURNISHED BY THE CUSTOMER THAT REPLACES A
PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAG.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sales tax
quarter that begins at least ninety days after the day on which it shall
have become a law.