Florida Moves to Roll Back Paper Straw Rules Statewide

The Florida straw wars are back, and lawmakers are now questioning whether the paper swap ever made sense in the first place.

A newly filed proposal for the 2026 legislative session would sharply limit how far cities and counties can go when it comes to regulating drinking straws. Senate Bill 958, introduced in December by Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley, aims to establish a single statewide standard, potentially undoing local rules that pushed restaurants and bars toward paper alternatives.

At the center of the bill is skepticism about paper straws being safer or healthier. The legislation notes that “many businesses and communities in this state are using paper drinking straws and stirrers as a purportedly better option for public health and the environment,” but points to research suggesting that assumption may be flawed. According to the bill, independent university studies have found that many paper straws contain PFAS chemicals, substances known for lingering in the environment and the human body and linked to serious health concerns.

The proposal also raises disability access issues. Lawmakers argue that paper straw mandates create barriers for people with disabilities who rely on sturdier options, stating that “paper drinking straw regulations marginalize residents with disabilities for whom paper straws are not an option.” The bill insists that any straw policy should be rooted in science-based decision-making rather than trend-driven bans.

If approved, SB 958 would stop local governments from enforcing any rule on the sale or use of straws or stirrers unless those products meet a long list of environmental certifications. To qualify, straws would need to be renewable, certified compostable at home and industrially, and marine biodegradable, with verification from third-party organizations such as the Biodegradable Products Institute, the USDA BioPreferred Program, or TUV Austria.

If passed, the measure could significantly affect cities like Orlando, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, where plastic straw bans changed everyday dining. Supporters say the bill simplifies compliance and protects public health. Opponents warn it strips local communities of the ability to set their own environmental priorities when the legislative session begins January 13.