What's happening
This bill prohibits the operation of gasoline or diesel-powered leaf and lawn blowers in New York City, imposing a $100 fine for violations.
Why it matters
Addresses air quality and public health. Gasoline and diesel-powered leaf blowers emit significant pollutants (including fine particulates and volatile organic compounds), so banning their use could reduce respiratory health risks, especially for children, seniors, and people with asthma.
Targets noise pollution. Gas and diesel blowers are much louder than electric alternatives, and their noise can be disruptive in dense urban environments like New York City. This ban could improve residents’ quality of life by reducing chronic noise exposure.
Impacts landscaping businesses and city maintenance. Businesses and workers who rely on gas or diesel blowers will need to adjust practices, potentially investing in new electric equipment or altering their workflows, which may have short-term economic or logistical impacts.
Sets a precedent for environmental regulation in cities. By enacting a strict ban on these types of equipment, New York City could influence other municipalities to consider similar measures addressing urban air and noise pollution.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Gas Leaf Blowers
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cities
- Referred to cities
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1972
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. AVELLA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Cities
AN ACT to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the use of power leaf and lawn blowers
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-126 to read as follows:
§ 17-126. Power leaf and lawn blowers. No person shall operate a gasoline or diesel powered leaf and lawn blower for any purpose. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01235-02-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the use of power leaf and lawn blowers
Purpose
Prohibits gasoline powered leaf and lawn blowers in the city of New York.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill amends the administrative code of the city of New York by adding a new section 17-126 which states that no person shall operate a gasoline or diesel powered leaf and lawn blower for any purpose and that any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
Section 2 of this bill states that this act shall take effect after 30 days.
Justification
Gasoline-powered leaf blowers are not only noisy, but bad for the environment and for our health. The two-stroke engine found in many models creates for a major environmental hazard. That engine is used frequently because it is lightweight and cheap. However, the engine emits a number of air pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons in large quantities. These gases contribute to smog, are known as carcinogenic, and can cause acid rain. Further, these engines have been shown to emit contaminants comparable to large automobiles. For example, in 2011 a test by the car experts at Edmunds showed that a consumer-grade leaf blower emits more pollutants than a 6,200-pound 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.
Organizations, such as the American Lung Association, are concerned with the health implications of the wide-spread use of these devices. Leaf blowers can stir up irritating allergens and toxins like mold, feces and dried urine, and a myriad of chemicals used on yards and gardens-which can remain airborne for hours.
This bill would ban the use of gasoline powered leaf blowers in the city of New York to curb air pollution and protect the health of residents.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect after 30 days.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.