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:

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

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 97

ZERO-EMISSION LAWN CARE DEVICES

     23-97-1. Short title.

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

Act."

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

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

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

shall be zero-emissions by 2027.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

effectiveness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

established by this chapter.

     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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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