Quiet Clean PDX is working with city, county and state officials in Oregon to enact legislation that will protect the health and safety of workers and residents and safeguard the environment from the dangerous effects of gas-powered leaf blowers. 

An effective and equitable transition away from gas-powered equipment will require a collaborative effort with all voices at the table. Since 2018 we have been meeting with concerned residents, grounds contractors, public health and noise experts, air quality officials, ecological landscapers, and social and environmental justice organizations, as well as elected officials. Our accomplishments to date include the following:

2021-2022

Oregon State 

Reps. Courtney Neron and Khanh Pham and Sen. Michael Dembrow are hoping to develop and sponsor a bill in the 2023 session to phase out gas leaf blowers. Their goal is to have the bill ready by fall 2022. QCPDX is playing an active role in shaping that bill, and coordinating efforts with Multnomah County. 

Multnomah County 

On Dec. 16, 2021, after hearing testimonies from QCPDX and its supporters, County Commissioners approved a resolution expressing support for convening a work group with the City of Portland to consider an equitable, community-wide phase-out strategy for gas powered leaf blowers, and for accelerating the county’s own transition away from the use of these tools at county facilities. Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson convened the work group in spring 2022, and plans to bring a proposal to the Board of Commissioners by fall 2022.

Oregon House Bill 3023

We worked with Rep. Barbara Smith Warner (chief sponsor) to introduce a bill in the 2021 legislative session prohibiting the sale or use of gas-powered leaf blowers inside any Oregon Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) with a population of 300,000 or more. (This would initially apply only to Portland, where over 50% of gas leaf blower use in Oregon takes place.)  HB 3023 received an informational hearing in the House Committee on Energy and Environment but unfortunately died in committee due to the sheer volume of urgent and backlogged legislation. Read our bill packet with supporting arguments and see FAQs about the bill.

2019-2020

Portland City Council Resolution No. 37463 

As a result of our advocacy, in December 2019 the City Council passed a resolution directing City bureaus to transition from gas-powered to electric or battery-operated leaf blowers.  It also called for the formation of a work group to consider a city-wide transition to electric and battery-operated leaf blowers and manual tools. The bill was sponsored by the late Commissioner Nick Fish. Read Portland City Council Council Resolution #37463.

Oregon House Bill 3350

We worked with Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer, and Senators Michael Dembrow and Shemia Fagan to introduce a bill in the 2019 legislative session prohibiting the use or sale of gas-powered leaf blowers in Oregon.  HB 3350 received an informational meeting in the House Committee on Energy and Environment but then died in committee.