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S. 884·Middle School Intermediate

A Bill to Phase Out the Sale of Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment

Sen. Chen (D-WA)

Bans the manufacture and import of new gas-powered lawn equipment by 2030 with tax credits for electric replacements.

Sec. 1 — Mandate

No new gas-powered mower, leaf blower, trimmer, or chainsaw under 25 horsepower may be manufactured for U.S. sale after January 1, 2030.

Sec. 2 — Incentive

Households and landscaping businesses receive a 30% refundable tax credit (capped at $1,500) for electric replacements.

Sec. 3 — Enforcement

EPA may fine violating manufacturers up to $20,000 per non-compliant unit.

Sec. 4 — Funding

$2.1 billion over 5 years for tax credits and EPA enforcement.

Tournament Prep

Mechanical parts, sourced & timed

Use this as your pre-round checklist. Memorize the source citation. Time yourself to the delivery target.

Bill / Number
S. 884 — A Bill to Phase Out the Sale of Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment
Funding source
$2.1B over 5 years — tax-credit-funded by 25c license-fee surcharge offset.
Timeline
Manufacturer ban January 1, 2030.
Realistic — California Air Resources Board already implementing similar rule (2024).
Enforcing agency
Environmental Protection Agency.
Yes — EPA already regulates small-engine emissions under Clean Air Act §213.
Penalty for non-compliance
Up to $20,000 per non-compliant manufactured unit.
Source citation
CARB (2022), 'Small Off-Road Engine Regulation Final Statement of Reasons' — arb.ca.gov.
Delivery time (read aloud)
1:05 (65s)
Strongest counter-argument

Electric equipment can't match gas-powered runtime for professional landscapers.

Your pre-emptive answer

CARB's 2022 cost analysis surveyed 220 commercial landscapers in CA — 78% reported electric runtime now meets daily needs with swap-batteries. The bill's 30% credit cuts the upgrade cost gap to near zero.