LOS ANGELES (AP) — Key California legislators have reached an agreement that could lead to a statewide ban on carry-out plastic bags at supermarkets, liquor stores and pharmacies by 2016.

Democratic state Sen. Kevin de Leon on Los Angeles said Thursday the deal balances environmental concerns with the need to preserve jobs.

Los Angeles and nearly 100 cities and counties in the state have enacted bans on single-use plastic bags.

If approved, the compromise bill would extend a similar prohibition across the state.

The local laws would remain in effect.

A summary of the bill says supermarkets must stop using the bags by July 2015, and the ban would extend to smaller stores in 2016.

The proposal would use $2 million to help firms that produce plastic bags convert to manufacturing reusable bags.