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Bill prohibiting cities from banning gas leaf blowers gets final passage

A measure that would prevent Georgia cities and counties from banning gas-powered leaf blowers won final passage Wednesday in the General Assembly. The measure now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Credit: TNS

A measure that would prevent Georgia cities and counties from banning gas-powered leaf blowers won final passage Wednesday in the General Assembly. The measure now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
By James Salzer
March 29, 2023

The Georgia House voted 101-66 to give final passage Wednesday to a measure prohibiting cities and counties from banning gas-powered leaf blowers.

No cities and counties in Georgia currently do so.

Republican state Rep. Trey Kelley of Cedartown, standing, talks with state Rep. J Collins, R-Villa Rica, in the Georgia House on Wednesday, the final day of the 2023 legislative session. Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

House Bill 374 also would prohibit cities and counties from limiting the kind of fuel homeowners use. That part of the bill comes out of recent concerns that gas stove emissions are unhealthy. HB 374 sides with the gas industry, seeking to ban any limits on fuel source.

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About the Author

James Salzer has covered state government and politics in Georgia since 1990. He previously covered politics and government in Texas and Florida. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history

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