SB 319 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING BATTERY-POWERED LAWN EQUIPMENT FUNDING FOR MUNICIPALITIES, REGIONAL SCHOOLS AND COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPERS.

SB 319 requires Connecticut state agencies and municipalities to transition from gas-powered to electric landscaping equipment by 2030. Starting in 2027, state departments must replace gas equipment with electric models as existing tools wear out, and by 2029, contractors bidding on state property maintenance must use electric equipment. The bill bans gas-powered leaf blowers on state-owned properties by 2030, with exceptions for emergencies, fire hazard reduction, and specific land management activities. To support the transition, the bill reactivates a fund for municipalities, mandates equipment demonstrations, and creates a loan program for commercial landscapers to purchase electric tools.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action May 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ENV Joint Favorable Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to shift its focus from mandating state agencies to buy electric equipment to creating a funding program for municipalities, schools, and private landscapers. The original text requiring state agencies to purchase electric mowers and banning gas leaf blowers on state property was removed. Instead, the new version directs the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to reactivate a 2010 fund for local governments and requires the Connecticut Green Bank to create a loan program for commercial landscapers to buy battery-powered equipment.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from applying only to state agencies to including municipalities, regional school districts, and commercial landscapers.

REQUIREMENT

Removed mandates requiring state agencies to purchase electric lawn equipment and prohibited the use of gas-powered leaf blowers on state property.

FISCAL

Added a directive to reactivate the 2010 Lawn Equipment Exchange Fund specifically for municipalities and regional school districts.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a requirement for the Connecticut Green Bank to create a loan program assisting registered commercial landscapers with purchasing battery-operated equipment.

TIMELINE

Adjusted the effective date of the new Section 1 from October 1, 2026, to October 1, 2027.

SCOPE

Changed the term 'regional schools' to 'regional school districts' for accuracy.

Floor votes · Senate May 4, 2026

How they voted

26–10

Passed

Total votes 36

May 4, 2026

D Democratic25

25 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican11

1 Yea 10 Nay

90% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

May 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Environment

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors