Heated public hearing as Montgomery County Council weighs seasonal exemption to gas leaf blower ban

The Montgomery County Council heard more than five hours of public testimony on July 15 about expedited bill 19-25, a proposed seasonal exemption to the county’s recently enacted ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.

Proponents — largely landscape business owners, local chambers of commerce and trade groups — asked the council for a temporary, narrowly tailored allowance for professional crews during the heavy leaf season, arguing current battery-powered tools lack sufficient run-time and durability for large or wet jobs and that small firms face steep up‑front costs. “Battery powered units are also 30% heavier than gas blowers, making it a hard job even harder,” said Chuck Wheaton of Rupert Landscape, who described the experience of his crews after two years of the District of Columbia’s ban. Several speakers described facilities that would require costly electrical upgrades or generators to keep fleets charged, and urged a short fall exemption while technology and supply chains improve.

County executive staff opposed the exemption. Tricia Swanson, speaking for the county executive, told the council that the administration backed the original ban after a “comprehensive public process,” and said the county has already invested in rebates and outreach. She warned that an exemption would complicate enforcement and create a patchwork in which homeowners remain banned from gas blowers while hired crews would be exempt. “The overwhelming response to our rebate program demonstrates that the law is working,” she said.

Environmental and public‑health groups argued against the rollback. Kevin Walton of the Climate Coalition said gas leaf blowers expose workers and neighbors to hazardous exhaust and particulates and that local precedent — Washington, D.C., and other nearby jurisdictions — shows a feasible path to cleaner, quieter maintenance. “If they can comply in D.C., they should comply here,” Walton said. Friends of Sligo Creek and other advocacy groups highlighted worker hearing loss and neighborhood noise impacts.

Several landscapers said they are already investing in electric fleets but said the fall leaf season — when leaves are often wet, matted and abundant — still presents operational limits for battery technology. “We’ve spent tens of thousands to convert, but a battery lasts about an hour in real conditions and recharging takes far longer,” said Paul Kolonowski, who described the economics for small crews.

Council members indicated they would send the bill to committee for further study; County staff told the council they plan to revisit enforcement procedures and rebate outreach. The Transportation & Environment Committee will hold a work session on the measure on July 28, 2025. No council vote was taken at the hearing.

The hearing drew strong statements on both sides and substantial turnout from small employers and homeowner advocates; councilmembers asked staff for more information on enforcement, the county rebate program’s uptake, health impacts, and potential technical or financial supports to smooth the transition for small businesses.

What’s next: The bill is scheduled for discussion in the Transportation & Environment Committee on July 28; the council will consider any committee recommendations in a future legislative session.