Georgia’s House on Friday narrowly rejected legislation that would prohibit cities and towns from restricting plastic bags and other “auxiliary containers.”

Senate Bill 139 failed on a 85-67 vote that divided House Republicans.

Proponents said the legislation was a response to concerns that plastic bag bans would be too costly and confusing for local retailers to enforce.

The measure emerged after leaders in Athens and Tybee Island debated local bans aimed at restricting the plastic bags, which they view as litter on the state’s tourism-friendly shoreline and a danger to aquatic wildlife who confuse it for jellyfish. Critics have dubbed the legislation the “plastic bags everywhere” bill.

The Senate passed SB 139 last month.

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U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Ga., speaks at the Georgia delegation breakfast at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2024, the first day of the Democratic National Convention. (Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

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Georgia Power's Plant Bowen in Cartersville is shown in this 2015 photo. (Hyosub Shin/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

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