Suffolk County lawmakers have passed a bill that imposes a 5-cent fee on disposable plastic and paper bags.
The bill passed Wednesday night by a vote of 13-4. The law goes into effect in 2018.
The bill's sponsor, Democratic Legislator William Spencer, told Newsday he hopes the law reduces the usage of plastic bags.
Supporters of the bill say the bags often litter roadsides and waterways and gum up recycling machines.
The two Democrats and two Republican lawmakers who voted against the bill say residents are tired of being nickel and dimed by the government. Democratic Legislator Sarah Anker said many senior citizens in her community did not support the fee.
New York City passed similar legislation earlier this year, but its start date was pushed back to February.
