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Senate rejects bill that would have required electric lawn equipment at state facilities
Summary
A proposed requirement to replace two-stroke lawn tools with electric equipment at certain state facilities failed on a 13-9 vote, with supporters arguing environmental and health benefits and opponents raising costs and implementation concerns.
The Utah Senate on a voice-and-roll vote on Thursday rejected a measure that would have required state facilities with less than 50,000 square feet along the Wasatch Front to replace two-stroke lawn equipment with electric models when the existing equipment was retired.
The proposal, Fourth Substitute Senate Bill 124, would have directed agencies to transition to electric landscaping equipment over time. Senator Mark Pitcher, the bill sponsor, said the measure required replacement only when existing equipment reached retirement and described the bill as a targeted effort to reduce emissions from small engines at state sites.
Advocates framed the bill as a modest environmental step, but debate on the Senate floor showed concern about the bill’s cost and operational practicality. Opponents questioned whether agencies and grounds crews could meet the timelines and whether the upfront price of electric equipment was justified.
Senator Pitcher said on the floor, “This bill would . . . require that state facilities along the Wasatch Front with less than 50,000 square feet replace their two-stroke lawn equipment with electric power lawn equipment when the old equipment is ready to be retired.”
The final roll call recorded 13 yeas, 9 nays and 7 senators absent; the substitute measure failed and was returned to staff for filing.
The vote ends the bill’s immediate prospects in this legislative session; sponsors may choose to rework the measure and seek future consideration.
Votes: Fourth Substitute Senate Bill 124 — failed, 13 yea, 9 nay, 7 absent.
