Democrats in the state of Washington are pushing for members of the public to be jailed for up to one year if they are caught using gas-powered gardening tools.
According to State Reps. Amy Walen and Liz Berry, jailing law-abiding citizens over their lawn mower’s power source will help to fight “climate change.”
Last week, the Democrat lawmakers introduced House Bill 1868.
The legislation seeks to “reduc[e] emissions from outdoor power equipment.”
According to the bill, gas- and diesel-powered landscaping tools “emit a host of air pollutants.”
These “pollutants” are allegedly “contributing to climate change and negatively impacting public health.”
The bill cites findings from Democrat President Joe Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA claims gas-powered lawnmowers contribute 5% of the country’s air pollution.
According to the EPA, over 17 million gallons of fuel are spilled yearly while refueling outdoor power equipment.
“Nationally, the Department of Transportation data shows that one hour of running a gas lawnmower can contribute as much smog-forming pollution as driving a passenger car 300 miles,” the bill claims.
“One hour of running a gas leaf blower can contribute as much smog-forming pollution as driving a passenger car 1,100 miles.”
Gas-powered lawn tools also cause asthma, hearing loss, and “other health issues,” the legislation claims.
Additionally, the Democrats argue that the noise from outdoor power equipment can be a nuisance.
They claim that this is particularly true due to more individuals working from home.
Meanwhile, the legislation also provides tax break incentives for new zero-emissions equipment.
The lawmakers argued that switching to all-electric power tools could generate “health benefits.”
The legislation does not provide any evidence or further details of these claimed “health benefits,” however.
Nevertheless, the Democrat lawmakers claim that consumers are “ready for the transition.”
“In some instances, electric and battery-operated equipment are just as powerful as gas and more efficient,” the bill contended.
The proposed legislation seeks to ban gas- and diesel-powered outdoor tools “produced on or after January 1, 2026, or as soon as the department determines is feasible, whichever is later.”
The rule does not prohibit federal, state, or local government agencies from using the equipment in emergency or response situations.
It also carves out an exception for using gas-powered power equipment when no “suitable zero emissions” alternative is available on the market.
If passed, the new rule would impact lawnmowers, strimmers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, augers, wood chippers, pressure washers, snowblowers, and many other tools.
Operating a prohibited lawn care tool would be deemed a gross misdemeanor punishable by jail time.
Offenders “shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for up to three hundred sixty-four days, or by both for each separate violation,” according to state law.
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