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Committee approves amendment, forwards bill creating rebate for battery-powered leaf blowers
Summary
The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on Thursday adopted an amendment and forwarded House Bill 2067, which directs the Oregon Department of Energy to establish a rebate program for battery-powered leaf blowers and includes a $2 million appropriation to a commercial landscape equipment rebate fund.
The House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on Thursday adopted an amendment and voted to forward House Bill 2067, which would require the Oregon Department of Energy to establish by rule a rebate program for the purchase of battery-powered leaf blowers.
The bill, as amended by the dash-2, also appropriates $2,000,000 to be deposited in a commercial landscape equipment rebate fund to support the program. Chair Lively opened the work session and staff summarized the measure and the amendment before the committee considered the motion.
Vice Chair Grama moved to adopt the dash-2 amendment; with no discussion, the committee approved the amendment. Later, Vice Chair Gamba moved that the bill, as amended, be reported to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation and that it be referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means by prior reference. The roll call included a majority of “aye” votes and one “no”; Chair Lively announced that the motion carried.
Why it matters: supporters framed the bill as a way to reduce emissions and risk of fires in solid-waste and transfer-station operations by reducing the number of gas-powered handheld landscape tools in circulation and to incentivize quieter, battery-powered alternatives.
Next steps: the bill will be considered by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means as part of the budgetary review and then proceed in the chamber process.
Votes at a glance: the committee approved the dash-2 amendment and then forwarded HB 2067 with a due-pass recommendation and referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means.
