Subscribe!
Bill Draws Line on Legislative Rule-Making Over Lawn Equipment Choice
Representative Chris Paplauskas’s bill, H7150, which addresses municipal authority to prohibit certain types of lawn equipment was introduced in January at the Rhode Island legislature. It was referred to the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee.
It is scheduled for consideration TODAY, Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the rise of the House, approx. 4:30pm in Room 135.
For labor – for business – for homeowners
“For labor, this is about job security, affordability, and practicality,†he said. “For small businesses, it’s about avoiding thousands of dollars in forced replacement costs. For homeowners, it’s about not being pushed into purchases they may not be able to afford. At a time when everything costs more, government should not be adding new financial pressure.â€
The legislation allows cities and towns to continue enforcing neutral noise standards, reasonable hours of operation, and public safety regulations. What it prevents are blanket bans based purely on whether equipment is gas, electric, or battery powered. The bill applies prospectively, leaving existing ordinances in place while preventing new or expanded fuel-based prohibitions.
“State government has a role when policies start reaching into people’s livelihoods and personal property,†Paplauskas said. “This legislation is about balance, consistency, and keeping Rhode Island a place where working and owning a small business is still viable.â€
The bill introduced by Republican Paplauskis is co-sponsored by 7 other Republicans, 1 Democrat and 1 Independent.
The House Municipal Government and Housing Committee is chaired by Rep. Stephen Casey – and can be found HERE.
Running a lawn service business with battery operated equipment is just not possible now and won’t be in 2028 either.
On the other hand, a battery powered blower can serve a homeowner, who only has one lawn to take care of, and can maybe make that happen in one battery charge. Even that is iffy.
Regulation banning gas equipment would cause havoc with businesses, destroy some, and make life much more difficult for everyone. That’s just where we are.
I’m 70 years old and continue to be amazed at my East Side neighbors with lawns the size of a tablecloth who hire a truck and 3 guys with leaf blowers, but I do understand that for a business, and big yards in Cranston a rake may not be practical. And I support small business in every way I can. The ban on gas powered leaf blowers takes years to go into effect and seems to work with normal needs to replace old equipment. Also, the noise and dust of leaf blowers affect everyone in the neighborhood but especially the workers. I’m seeing the same arguments for gas powered leaf blowers that they made for smoking in restaurants. Years later we still have restaurants, and lawn care will adjust.
Let’s make it easier then. No piece of lawn maintenance equipment can emit sound at a pressure level greater than 65 decibels measured at 1 meter from the machine in any direction at all operating speeds and power levels. The issue isn’t keeping businesses viable, it’s minimizing excessive noise. 4 years is ample time to shift to new equipment and owners will find that battery powered equipment is much less costly to own over the life of the tool. Eliminating gas is a cost and environmental saving all the while being a huge pain in the gas can.
America home of the free ..🤦♂️
What’s next?
All vehicles in those towns must be white ?
Polluting with a hand held gas powered motor ,which by the way is nearly 100% recyclable. .
You’ve got to be kidding me..
That’s just what we need more lithium battery powered fire starting non-recyclable pieces of equipment entering our waist stream.
All of this battery power equipment is still in its evolutionary time. It’s still evolving let it happen naturally don’t force this down anybody’s throat. It’s definitely not the American way this transition of battery powered equipment, let it happen naturally and stop putting laws into affect the Takeaway our freedom whether it’s just a little bit or a lot. It all starts somewhere. Don’t let us start here or continue down this avenue.
I’m 71 years old and I do remember the old timers I knew would roll in their grave if they ever seen this or even come up shooting.. I sure hope they vote this one down in high numbers.
Hear, hear!
The land of the free & home of the brave … regulating…. the use of leaf mowers. Simply mazing.
In a state like RI with a $15 billion
annual state budget and a million or so
REAL issues this is the best that these out of touch minions can come up with .
This sophomoric , elitist nonsense is
just further proof that these public
servants have too much time on their
hands , too little gray matter upstairs .
and are totally out of touch with realty .
This waste of time legislation lends further credence to my theory that when the FBI was sent to RI to clean things up they went to the wrong hill .
Smith Hill should have been their
destination !