My coastal city did this in conservative Orange County CA.
It is to keep plastic bags out of the ocean, and from killing wildlife.
Checkout clerks take a lot of abuse from angry customers. Consumers are remembering to bring their own bags when grocery shopping.
Yes, they do. It’s too bad - people should simply express their displeasure by saying “tell your manager this stinks”. (No matter what the “law” is - somehow it has to get back to whoever is responsible for this fascism.)