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A proposal to charge consumers 2 cents at the checkout counter for each plastic bag they use is being bagged by at least one local legislator.

Sen. James Timilty, D-Walpole, said he agrees with the intent of Sen. Brian Joyce to encourage the use of biodegradable or reusable shopping bags, but is concerned that the surcharge on plastic bags would add to already high food bills.

A hearing on the proposal was scheduled for today.

Joyce's proposal would gradually increase the surcharge of plastic bags to 15 cents each over seven years.

A proposal also is brewing in Boston to ban plastic bags at the checkout stand in that city. Timilty said there is already a trend in the private sector to shift from plastic bags to recycled paper or reusable bags, "and is probably best handled in the private sector."

Joyce, D-Milton, has said Americans use 380 billion plastic bags a year, most of which end up as litter or landfill trash.

Timilty said that's a significant amount, but disposing of plastic bags through a fee is unnecessary, considering the trend by retailers such as the Whole Foods Market chain and Hannaford's.

"I don't think I'll be voting along with him (Joyce)," Timilty said.

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, was unavailable for comment.

Whole Foods announced earlier this year that it would stop offering plastic grocery bags, instead giving customers a choice between recycled paper or reusable bags.

The deadline for all stores initially was April 22, Earth Day, but there was such consumer interest that stores in this region, including Whole Foods in Bellingham, began the switch on March 1, chain spokeswoman Ellen Farrar said.

The feedback from customers "has been fantastic," Farrar said. "There has been an incredible increase of reusable bags coming to us."

She said banners around the store reminding customers to bring their own reusable bags has helped.

Recycled paper bags are still offered, but the much more popular option has been the reusable bags.