Rep. Jennifer Boylan (Barrington) and Sen. Sam Zurier (Providence) have introduced companion bills RI H7495 and S2277, entitled “2025 Battery-powered Leaf Blower Pilot Rebate And Education Program,” to the RI House and Senate.

H7495/S2277 aims to reduce air and noise pollution from gas-powered leaf blowers and other landscaping equipment by helping landscape professionals adopt zero-emission technology.

H7495/S2277 would allocate $300,000 to establish a pilot leaf blower rebate program managed by OER. WIth this program, landscape professionals registered for business in Rhode Island could receive a rebate of up to $1,500 toward the purchase of a battery-powered leaf blower and two extra batteries, by turning in a gas-powered leaf blower. 

H7495/S2277 would also allocate $50,000 for OER and DEM to develop education and training for landscape professionals to learn best practices and safe operation with zero-emission landscaping equipment.

See our info sheet about the bill for background