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RI S3029

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/5/2026

Primary Sponsor

Todd Patalano

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Cities and towns are prohibited from enacting ordinances that ban or restrict powered landscape equipment (leaf blowers, lawn mowers, trimmers, edgers) based solely on fuel or power source type

  • Municipalities may still adopt content-neutral noise regulations, restrictions on hours of operation for all powered equipment, and public safety regulations that do not effectively ban equipment by fuel type

  • Any future changes to municipal power equipment regulations, including restrictions on equipment types, require approval by majority vote in a municipal referendum

  • Existing municipal ordinances restricting powered equipment by fuel source that were in effect before the act's passage are grandfathered and remain enforceable, provided they are not amended or expanded afterward

  • Any ordinance adopted or amended after the effective date that conflicts with these provisions is deemed null and void; the act takes effect upon passage

Legislative Description

Prohibits municipalities from restricting certain landscaping equipment based on its power source. It also prohibits any changes in the regulation of the use of power equipment in the municipality, without a positive referendum vote.

Towns And Cities

Last Action

Introduced, referred to Senate Housing and Municipal Government

3/5/2026

Committee Referrals

Housing and Municipal Government3/5/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available