23 LC 51 0307
S. B. 145
- 1 -
Senate Bill 145
By: Senators Still of the 48th, Dolezal of the 27th, Robertson of the 29th, Anavitarte of the
31st, Payne of the 54th and others
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
1
general provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, so as to prohibit local2
regulations that create differing standards for or distinguish gasoline-powered leaf blowers3
from similar equipment; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to4
provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
SECTION 1.7
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Landscape Equipment and Agricultural8
Fairness (LEAF) Act."9
SECTION 2.10
Chapter 60 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general11
provisions applicable to counties and municipal corporations, is amended by adding a new12
Code section to read as follows:13
"36-60-30.
14
(a) The General Assembly finds that:15 23 LC 51 0307
S. B. 145
- 2 -
(1) Prudent regulation of gasoline-powered leaf blowers is crucial to the welfare of16
Georgia's economy;17
(2) Urban agriculture, homeowners, and landscape service professionals are sensitive to18
the costs and regulation of gasoline-powered leaf blowers; and19
(3) If individual political subdivisions of the state regulate gasoline-powered leaf20
blowers, there exists the potential for confusing and varying regulations which could lead21
to unnecessary increased costs for urban agriculture, homeowners, and landscape service22
professionals to comply with such regulations.23
(b) As used in this Code section, the term 'gasoline-powered leaf blowers' means any24
machine that is powered by a two-stroke or four-stroke engine and uses as fuel gasoline or25
a blend of gasoline and oil, used to blow leaves, dirt, or other debris off of sidewalks,26
driveways, lawns, or other surfaces.27
(c) Any local prohibition or regulation regarding the use, disposition, or sale or any28
imposition of any restriction, fee imposition, or taxation at the retail, manufacturer, or29
distributor setting shall not create differing standards for or distinguish gasoline-powered30
leaf blowers from any other gasoline-powered, electric, or similar such equipment or any31
other type of leaf blower. Nothing in this subsection shall apply to the use of32
gasoline-powered leaf blowers on property owned by a county or municipality.33
(d) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibit or limit any county or34
municipal program to encourage the use of alternative leaf blower equipment, such as35
battery powered tools."36
SECTION 3.37
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law38
without such approval.39 23 LC 51 0307
S. B. 145
- 3 -
SECTION 4.
40
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.41