103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4805

 

Introduced 2/6/2024, by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Act. Provides that, on and after January 1, 2025, a person may not operate or sell at retail a gas-powered leaf blower in the State. Provides that a person who violates the Act's provisions is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500. Provides that a county or municipality may impose the penalty by citation or ticket and that the county or municipality may bring an action in the circuit court to enforce the collection of any monetary penalty imposed in the citation or ticket. Effective immediately.


LRB103 36336 AWJ 66435 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4805LRB103 36336 AWJ 66435 b

1    AN ACT concerning safety.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Act.
 
6    Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds that:
7        (1) gas-powered leaf blowers are detrimental to the
8    health of the citizens of the State and the quality of the
9    environment;
10        (2) 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines used in gas-powered
11    leaf blowers emit exceedingly high rates of pollutants,
12    including, but not limited to, carbon monoxide, nitrous
13    oxides, and hydrocarbons;
14        (3) the chemical pollutants that gas-powered leaf
15    blowers emit can contribute to smog formation and acid
16    rain;
17        (4) gas-powered leaf blowers generate noise at a
18    decibel level capable of causing hearing loss in a short
19    amount of time; and
20        (5) gas-powered leaf blowers send dust and other small
21    particles into the air for considerable distances,
22    including, but not limited to, animal feces, trace
23    quantities of heavy metals such as lead, and allergens

 

 

HB4805- 2 -LRB103 36336 AWJ 66435 b

1    such as pollen and mold.
 
2    Section 10. Definition. In this Act, "gas-powered leaf
3blower" means a leaf blower that has a 2-stroke or 4-stroke
4engine using gasoline or a gasoline and oil blend as fuel.
 
5    Section 15. Use or sale of gas-powered leaf blowers. On
6and after January 1, 2025, a person may not operate or sell at
7retail a gas-powered leaf blower in this State.
 
8    Section 20. Violation; enforcement.
9    (a) A person who violates Section 15 is subject to a civil
10penalty not to exceed $500.
11    (b) A county or municipality may impose a penalty under
12subsection (a) by citation or ticket. The county or
13municipality may bring an action in the circuit court to
14enforce the collection of any monetary penalty imposed in the
15citation or ticket.
 
16    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
17becoming law.