2023 -- H 6466
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LC003111
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO THE OFFICE OF ENERGY
RESOURCES TO FUND A REBATE PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PASSAGE
OF AN ELIGIBLE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BAN THE USE OF GASOLINE-
POWERED LEAF BLOWERS
Introduced By: Representatives Boylan, Carson, Ajello, Potter, Kislak, Stewart,
Cortvriend, Tanzi, Cruz, and Bennett
Date Introduced: May 31, 2023
Referred To: House Finance
WHEREAS, Gas powered leaf blowers emit high rates of pollution such as 1
formaldehyde, benzine, fine particulate matter and smog forming chemicals which can cause 2
dizziness, headaches, asthma attacks, heart and lung disease, cancer and dementia; and 3
WHEREAS, In addition, Gas powered leaf blowers generate noise at a decibel level 4
capable of causing hearing loss in a short amount of time; and 5
WHEREAS, Rhode Island's 2022-23 fiscal year ended with a surplus of more than $600 6
million; now, therefore be it 7
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of the surplus funds in the treasury 8
not otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2022-2023, the sum of one million dollars 9
($1,000,000) to The Office of Energy Resources to provide a maximum of $250,000 per city or 10
town, to fund a rebate program in conjunction with the passage of an eligible ordinance that 11
would ban the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers and said refund would be implemented 12
within two years of passage of the ban, with any unused funds returned to the state general fund 13
after one year of implementation of the program and subject to refund to the State if the ordinance 14
is repealed; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his orders upon the 15
general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time 16
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required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIAT ION OF $1,000,000 TO THE OFFICE OF ENERGY
RESOURCES TO FUND A REBATE PROGRAM IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PASSAGE
OF AN ELIGIBLE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BAN THE USE OF GASOLINE-
POWERED LEAF BLOWERS
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This joint resolution would authorize an appropriation out of the 2022-2023 budget 1
surplus of $1,000,000 to fund a rebate program in conjunction with the passage of an eligible 2
ordinance that would ban the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers. 3
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