Plastic bags at the grocery store checkout stand are about to become a thing of the past in Oregon.

House Bill 2509 is ready for the signature of Gov. Kate Brown after passing the state Senate 17-12 last week. The Democrat-sponsored bill, which passed the House in April, 42-18, would make Oregon the fourth state to ban single-use plastic bags, according to an article by the Associated Press. California, New York and Hawaii are the other three states with a ban in place.

As of Tuesday, the Oregon Legislature website stated the bill was still awaiting Brown’s signature. The AP previously reported she was supportive of the measure.

The bill states that retail establishments won’t be allowed to provide single-use checkout bags. They will also not be allowed to provide “recycled paper checkout bags, reusable fabric checkout bags or reusable plastic checkout bags” unless they charge a minimum of five cents per bag.

Exceptions are in place for fabric checkout bags to be available to consumers at no cost for a maximum of 12 days a year as a promotion. Customers who use a voucher issued under the Women, Infants and Children Program, or who use a Department of Human Services electronic benefits transfer card, can receive recycled paper or reusable plastic checkout bags at no cost.

The law has a different application for restaurants. While they cannot provide single-use bags, they are allowed to provide reusable plastic checkout bags for a minimum of five cents per bag or recycled paper checkout bags at no cost. Customers who use EBT cards can receive a reusable plastic bag at no cost.

Lisa Snyder, store director for Market Place Fresh Foods in La Grande, believes the action is a move in the right direction.

“It aligns with what our philosophies are for the store. We are all about recyclable, reusable containers,” Snyder told The Observer. “It aligns with what we believe is right for the planet.”

Snyder said her store already uses biodegradable bags. offers reusable bags and plans to have paper bags in store soon. She said the transition would not be a “big hurdle” for her store, though she did express concern on reaction from customers.

“It may be an inconvenience to the customers who are used to using that kind of bag. I worry they will be unhappy when the change goes into effect,” she said.

Jill McGinnis, director of communications and public affairs for Safeway, also spoke positively about the change.

“We are working on clear signage as well as being in-stock on desirable alternatives for our customers,” she said in an email to The Observer. “We view the move to banning plastic bags as a great choice for our environment, the right thing to do, and are in full support.”

Establishments that don’t comply with the rule once it is in effect will face a fine of up to $250 per day.

Thirteen Oregon cities had previously enacted a similar type of ban, according to an OregonLive article from December. Most are west of the Cascade Mountains, with Bend and Hood River the two eastern-most cities.

When the rule would be enacted is unclear, as the bill itself does not have an implementation date.

Other La Grande-area retailers contacted by The Observer deferred comment to media relations or corporate offices, which did not respond by press time.