Bill Text: NJ A2319 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Directs BPU to establish rebate program for purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-09-23 - Reported out of Asm. Comm. with Amendments, and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee [A2319 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-A2319-Amended.html
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 2319
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen)
Assemblyman CLINTON CALABRESE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman GARNET R. HALL
District 28 (Essex and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Directs BPU to establish rebate program for purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee on September 23, 2024, with amendments.
An Act concerning 1[leaf blowers] lawn equipment1 and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation1,1 or order to the contrary, beginning with the next comprehensive resource analysis conducted pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection a. of section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-60) following the date of enactment of this section, the board shall establish a program to provide rebates to residents and businesses for the purchase of 1[electric-powered or battery-powered leaf blowers] zero-emission lawn equipment1. In establishing the program, the board shall take into consideration the environmental benefits of reducing the use of gas-powered 1[leaf blowers] lawn equipment1 in the State.
1b.1 The board shall determine the appropriate level of funding from the societal benefits charge for the rebate program, 1[the types of electric-powered or battery-powered leaf blowers eligible for a rebate, and the form and manner for residents and businesses to apply for a rebate] and shall calculate the dollar amount of individual rebates, to be offered to residents and businesses thereunder, based on the sale price of the zero-emission lawn equipment purchased thereby. The rebate amount offered shall be calculated as follows:
(1) for the purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment costing $250 or less, the rebate amount shall equal 25 percent of the cost of the device or $50, whichever is less;
(2) for the purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment costing more than $250, but less than $500, the rebate amount shall equal 25 percent of the cost of the device or $100, whichever is less; and
(3) for the purchase of zero-emission lawn equipment costing more than $500, the rebate amount shall equal 25 percent of the cost of the device or $150, whichever is less.
c. The board shall adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this act. An eligible purchaser of zero-emission lawn equipment may apply for a rebate under the program established pursuant to this section, in a form and manner prescribed by the board in the rules or regulations adopted pursuant to this subsection1. The board shall advertise the availability of rebates 1offered1 pursuant to this section1,1 in the same manner 1[that] in which1 it advertises the availability of incentives for the purchase of energy efficient appliances through the New Jersey Clean Energy Program.
1[b.] d.1 As used in this section:
"Board" means the Board of Public Utilities.
"Gas-powered 1[leaf blower] lawn equipment1" means 1[a leaf blower that has a two-stroke or four-stroke engine and] lawn equipment that1 uses gasoline or a gasoline and oil blend as fuel.
1"Lawn equipment" means equipment that is used for, or intended to be used for, the mowing of grass, the cutting or chipping of trees, tree roots, or tree branches, or the clearing of leaves or other vegetation from lawns, sidewalks, public streets or public highways. "Lawn equipment" shall include, but not be limited to, lawn mowers and lawn mower attachments, lawn edgers, leaf blowers, leaf vacuums, mulchers, chippers, pruners, trimmers, chainsaws, power washers, and snow blowers.
"Zero-emission lawn equipment" means lawn equipment that is powered by a battery, fuel cell, or other means of energy production that does not result in the emission of carbon dioxide.1
2. This act shall take effect immediately.