2023 -- H 6466 | |
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LC003111 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023 | |
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N | |
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO THE OFFICE OF ENERGY | |
RESOURCES TO FUND A REBATE PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PASSAGE | |
OF AN ELIGIBLE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BAN THE USE OF GASOLINE- | |
POWERED LEAF BLOWERS | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Boylan, Carson, Ajello, Potter, Kislak, Stewart, | |
Date Introduced: May 31, 2023 | |
Referred To: House Finance | |
1 | WHEREAS, Gas powered leaf blowers emit high rates of pollution such as |
2 | formaldehyde, benzine, fine particulate matter and smog forming chemicals which can cause |
3 | dizziness, headaches, asthma attacks, heart and lung disease, cancer and dementia; and |
4 | WHEREAS, In addition, Gas powered leaf blowers generate noise at a decibel level |
5 | capable of causing hearing loss in a short amount of time; and |
6 | WHEREAS, Rhode Island's 2022-23 fiscal year ended with a surplus of more than $600 |
7 | million; now, therefore be it |
8 | RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of the surplus funds in the treasury |
9 | not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2022-2023, the sum of one million dollars |
10 | ($1,000,000) to The Office of Energy Resources to provide a maximum of $250,000 per city or |
11 | town, to fund a rebate program in conjunction with the passage of an eligible ordinance that |
12 | would ban the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers and said refund would be implemented |
13 | within two years of passage of the ban, with any unused funds returned to the state general fund |
14 | after one year of implementation of the program and subject to refund to the State if the ordinance |
15 | is repealed; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the |
16 | general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time |
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1 | required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. |
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LC003111 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N | |
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO THE OFFICE OF ENERGY | |
RESOURCES TO FUND A REBATE PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PASSAGE | |
OF AN ELIGIBLE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BAN THE USE OF GASOLINE- | |
POWERED LEAF BLOWERS | |
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1 | This joint resolution would authorize an appropriation out of the 2022-2023 budget |
2 | surplus of $1,000,000 to fund a rebate program in conjunction with the passage of an eligible |
3 | ordinance that would ban the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers. |
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LC003111 | |
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