The Montgomery County Council held a hearing on Monday, July 28, to review Expedited Bill 19-25, which proposed a seasonal exemption allowing landscape professionals to use gas-powered leaf blowers from October 1 to December 31, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with the exemption set to expire three years after enactment.
After hours of discussion, the exemption failed to move forward. Councilmember Gabe Albornoz, the bill’s lead sponsor, expressed his disappointment in an interview with FOX 5, stating, “This is going to set everybody up for failure in October.” The bill was cosponsored by Councilmembers Dawn Luedtke, Marilyn Balcombe, and Sidney Katz.
Montgomery County passed legislation in 2024 to address environmental, noise, and health concerns related to gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums. Sales of gas-powered equipment have been banned since July 1, 2024, and the ban on their use begins on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The law prohibits the use of handheld, backpack, and walk-behind gas-powered leaf removal equipment on private and commercial property, as well as by local and county government. It does not apply to Montgomery County Public Schools or Montgomery Parks, which are managed by the state of Maryland.
To assist with the transition, the County is offering rebates for the purchase of new electric leaf blowers. Beginning July 1, 2025, violations carry a $500 fine. According to the County, the ban is intended to reduce harmful emissions, cut reliance on fossil fuels, and minimize health risks such as hearing loss and respiratory disease.