Gov. Jerry Brown Signs California Plastic Straw Ban

If you like to use a straw with your drink, you’ll soon have to start asking for one. Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill yesterday that restricts the use of plastic straws at dine in-restaurants in the state.

What that means is starting January 1, 2019 restaurants will no longer just give you a straw. You will have to ask your waiter for one. KCRA reports fast-food restaurants, coffee shops and delis are exempt.

If a restaurant is caught breaking the new law, they will first get a notice. After that they can be fined $25 a day not to exceed a maximum of $300.

California becomes the first state to bar full-service restaurants from automatically giving out plastic straws. Another law Gov. Brown approved requires milk or water to be the default sold with kids’ meals at fast-food and full-service restaurants.