The state legislature once again is taking up one of the most controversial issues of recent years as lawmakers propose bills that would ban the use of plastic bags.

This idea has stalled in the legislature year after year, amid strong opposition from plastic bag manufacturers and grocers.  But Democratic Assemblyman Mark Levine says this time will be different.
 
“The conversation on plastic bag bans has progressed. Now, we’re up to 62 different jurisdictions that have some sort of a ban on single-use plastic bags," Levine said. "And I think we’re in a better place this year to pass the bill than we have been in the past.”

RELATED: MAP: California may join Southern California 'green' cities by banning plastic bags

Levine is authoring one of two bills that would eliminate the use of plastic bags at grocery and big box stores – and allow those stores to charge small fees for paper bags. There’s a similar proposal in the State Senate. A separate measure would charge a five-cent fee on paper and plastic bags, with the revenues going to cleanup efforts in local parks.
 
The American Forest and Paper Association opposes all three of this year’s bills.  It says fees on paper bags are unnecessary and counterproductive.

The map below lists areas in Southern California that have started or will start banning single-use plastic bags. No communities in San Bernadino or Riverside counties have passed a plastic bag ordinance. Click on each shaded area to read more about that municipalities' ordinance:

Source: Various municipalities