Committee unanimously backs expedited bill dropping photo requirement for leaf‑blower enforcement

Chair Glass’s Transportation and Environment Committee voted unanimously on Nov. 3 to approve Expedited Bill 30‑25, which removes the photographic‑evidence requirement for enforcing Montgomery County’s gas‑powered leaf‑blower ban.

The measure replaces the prior requirement that complainants submit a photograph to initiate enforcement with a single sworn attestation submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). "This bill removes the photographic evidence requirement," Chair Glass said in opening remarks, adding that the change follows practices in other jurisdictions and is intended to shield landscaping workers from being photographed or singled out.

McCartney Green, staff summarizing the Oct. 21 public hearing, said seven speakers testified: the county executive and other supporters said a single‑attestation approach is "more effective and less intrusive" and would reduce immigrant workers’ fear; opponents — residents, business owners and legal advocates — raised concerns about arbitrary enforcement, unverified complaints and potential modifications to due process. Council staff told the committee that DEP’s online complaint form includes an attestation warning that statements may be used in court to verify credibility.

Councilmember Alber Nas described calls from landscaping businesses reporting harassment and urged residents to show "grace" during the transition. Councilmember Balcom cautioned that some people who receive fines might pay them rather than contest them, and asked whether DEP’s form would still allow photo uploads; staff replied that the current DEP form does not include an upload option.

The presentation emphasized that the bill does not change the underlying enforcement authority: DEP still can issue class A violations under the county code (Chapter 31B), seek injunctive relief through the county attorney and offer reconsideration processes for those who dispute citations. McCartney Green said the change affects only the threshold for initiating an enforcement action for leaf‑blower complaints.

The committee recorded no amendments and Chair Glass announced the vote was unanimous.

Next steps: the committee’s approval advances the expedited bill in the council process; no additional amendments were proposed during the session.