FLORIDA (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A bill filed in the Florida Senate would rein in how cities and counties regulate drinking straws and stirrers, calling for one statewide standard instead of a patchwork of local rules.
Senate Bill 958 was filed Dec. 18 by Sen. Corey Simon, and it targets local ordinances that govern what kinds of straws and stirrers businesses can sell or require. The bill text lays out a list of reasons lawmakers want this — from health concerns about paper straws to complaints that local rules can make life harder for people with disabilities.
Here’s what the bill would do. If a city or county wants to regulate drinking straws or stirrers at all, its ordinance would have to allow products that meet four standards at once: renewable, home compostable certified, industrially compostable certified and marine biodegradable. All four. If existing local rules don’t do that, they’d have to be rewritten by Jan. 1, 2027.
The bill even defines those terms, down to specific certification bodies and scientific evidence for what “marine biodegradable” means. It’s a bit technical, but the idea is that only products meeting certain third-party standards could be regulated.
Supporters point to a mix of studies and broader policy moves. The bill cites independent research showing many paper straws contain PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to health risks. It also says paper straw requirements can marginalize residents with disabilities who need traditional plastic straws. And it argues statewide uniformity beats a bunch of different local rules.
Of course, the bill likely wouldn’t have much affect on Boca Raton area establishments as Boca Raton does not have a ban on plastic straws. In 2019, the City Council opted against a mandate and instead backed voluntary reduction efforts, including the city’s “Skip the Straw” campaign, which encouraged restaurants and residents to cut back on single-use plastics without requiring compliance.
City officials at the time cited concerns about disability access and potential conflicts with state preemption laws. While several South Florida cities moved ahead with straw bans, Boca Raton focused on public awareness and voluntary participation. The city later adopted targeted ordinances banning polystyrene foam and balloons on public property.
This Florida bill comes in the wake of a national move on straws too. In February, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14208 to “end the procurement and forced use of paper straws” at the federal level. The order directs federal agencies to stop buying paper straws and calls for a national strategy to end paper straw use within 45 days, saying paper straws are often more expensive, less functional and use chemicals of concern.
There are a few carve-outs. The bill wouldn’t apply to straws or stirrers sold with prepackaged drinks or used in hospitals, medical care facilities or senior care facilities. And it doesn’t force any city or county to adopt straw rules — only sets limits if they choose to act.
SB 958 has been filed and is awaiting committee assignment in the Florida Senate. No companion bill has been filed yet in the House. The bill would take effect upon becoming law.
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