BILL NUMBER: S424
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to prohibiting the
use of gas-powered leaf and lawn blowers during certain months
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf and lawn blowers from May first
and September thirtieth.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Gas-powered leaf blowers pollute the environment in 3 ways: exhaust
emissions, noise, and particulates/dust blown into the air. Per the
Department of Environmental Conservation website: "Emissions from gas-
powered leaf blowers are substantial. The amount of CO (carbon monoxide)
emitted from a typical backpack leaf blower for just 1 hour is equal to
CO coming from the tailpipe of a current year automobile operating for
over 8 hours. For the other pollutants, the amounts are even greater."
"Leaf blowers push 300 to 700 cubic feet of air per minute at 150 to 280
MPH. The resulting dust can contain PM2.5 and PM10 particles, including
pollen and mold, animal feces, heavy metals, and chemicals from herbi-
cides and pesticides."
"While more modern leaf blowers are available with ratings of 65 dB or
lower at 50 feet, many that are on the market still exceed 70 dB at 50
ft. A leaf blower rated at 70 dB at 50 feet may generate noise levels
over 105 dB at the operator's ears." Much of the work done by gas
powered leaf and lawn blowers is often unnecessary and can be done by
more environmentally friendly tools, such as a mulching mower.
This bill aims to reduce the careless usage of leaf blowers by restrict-
ing their usage as a landscaping tool in the non-fall months.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
01/03/24 REFERRED TO HEALTH
01/18/23 REFERRED TO HEALTH
05/03/22 AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HEALTH
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on May 1, 2026.