New legislation is seeking to make gas-powered lawn equipment like leaf blowers illegal to use beginning in 2026, with violators potentially facing a fine or jail time.
Under the measure, operating a new gas-powered lawn mower or leaf blower produced on or after Jan. 1, 2026 would be deemed a gross misdemeanor punishable by prison time.
The term “outdoor power equipment” is defined in the bill as “equipment designed or marketed for use in an outdoor setting in the management of vegetation, landscaped outdoor spaces, or built spaces that is powered by an engine that produces a gross horsepower of less than 25 or is designed to produce less than 25 horsepower.”
This includes vegetation-cutting equipment, leaf blowers, leaf shredders, leaf vacuums, soil tillers, soil cultivators, wood chippers, pressure washers, snowblowers, and more.
Meanwhile, “vegetation cutting equipment” includes lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, brush cutters, and more.
Pollution Tied to Gas-Powered Equipment
“Gasoline-powered and diesel-powered landscaping and other outdoor power equipment emit a host of air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants, contributing to climate change and negatively impacting public health,” the bill states.The measure cites one calculation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that gas-powered garden mowers contribute 5 percent of the nation’s air pollution. The EPA also estimates that over 17 million gallons of fuel, mostly gasoline, are spilled each year while refueling lawn equipment.
“Nationally, the Department of Transportation data shows that one hour of running a gas lawnmower can contribute as much smog-forming pollution as driving a passenger car 300 miles,” the bill continues. “One hour of running a gas leaf blower can contribute as much smog-forming pollution as driving a passenger car 1,100 miles.”
The lawmakers also list a number of health issues they claim are tied to new gas-powered lawn equipment, including that they cause asthma, hearing loss, and “other health issues, especially for workers who regularly use them.”
Additionally, the noise from gas-powered equipment can be a nuisance, the lawmakers note, pointing to some communities enacting restrictions on the use of commercial lawn equipment.
Instead, the lawmakers suggest a transition to “cleaner, all-electric lawn and garden equipment,” with the bill stating that “the technology and consumer markets are ready” for such a transition.
“In some instances, electric and battery-operated equipment are just as powerful as gas and more efficient,” they wrote.
As part of efforts to aid the transition away from gas or diesel-powered outdoor equipment, the bill would provide a temporary sales and use tax relief break for “zero emissions landscaping equipment.”
Concerns Over Ban
The bill does contain exemptions to the fine or possible prison time as it applies to outdoor power equipment used by a federal, state, or local government agency or entity or its contractor for emergency management or response purposes such as wildfires, oil spills, or other natural or “human-caused emergency events.”Despite the push from Democrats, serious concerns have been raised regarding such bans, particularly given the cost of electric gardening or landscaping equipment.
A commercial electric backpack leaf blower may cost $100 or more when compared to its gas counterpart, according to the publication.
“Electric chainsaws are not going to work for our industry,” Mr. Bonagofsky said. “What you see out there may work for homeowners, possibly some light landscaping, but for commercial operations, it’s not going to be efficient enough or productive enough.”
