2022 -- H 7543

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LC004639

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ZERO-EMISSION LAWN CARE DEVICES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Carson, Bennett, Kislak, Ajello, Morales,
Cortvriend, Donovan, Handy, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: February 18, 2022

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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CHAPTER 97

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ZERO-EMISSION LAWN CARE DEVICES

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     23-97-1. Short title.

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     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Zero-Emission Lawn Care Devices

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Act."

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     23-97-2. Zero emissions lawn care devices by 2027.

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     (a) The director of the department of environmental management shall promulgate rules

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and regulations which shall require that all lawn care devices offered for sale or sold, in the state

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shall be zero-emissions by 2027.

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     (b) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

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     (1) "Lawn care device" means any device powered mechanically, which is intended to be

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used or is actually used for the mowing of grass, the cutting or chipping of trees, tree roots or tree

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branches, or the clearing of leaves or other vegetation from lawns, sidewalks, public streets or

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public highways and shall include, but not be limited to, such devices as lawn mowers and lawn

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mower attachments, lawn edger's, leaf blowers, leaf vacuums, mulchers and chippers.

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     (2) "Authority" means the Rhode Island office of energy resources.

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     (c) The authority, in consultation with the director of the department of environmental

 

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management, other state agencies and the United States environmental protection agency, shall

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develop and propose strategies, in coordination with other state agencies and the United States

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environmental protection agency, to achieve one hundred percent (100%) zero-emissions from

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lawn care device operations in the state by 2028; provided that, issues of affordability and

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accessibility for disadvantaged communities is taken into account. In implementing the provisions

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of this chapter, the authority shall act consistently with safety, technological feasibility and cost-

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effectiveness.

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     (d) The authority, in consultation with the Rhode Island commerce corporation, the

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department of environmental management, the public utilities commission, and other state

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agencies, local agencies and other interested parties, shall develop and submit to the house and

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senate a zero-emissions lawn care device market development strategy by January 31, 2023, and

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update every three (3) years thereafter, that ensures coordinated and expeditious implementation of

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the system of policies, programs and regulations necessary to achieve the goals and orders

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established by this chapter.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ZERO-EMISSION LAWN CARE DEVICES

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     This act would mandate that all lawn care devices have zero-emissions by 2027, and a plan

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for such would be submitted to the house and senate by 2023.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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