SB5543 – Creates a program providing rebates for new all electric landscaping equipment in exchange for operating gas and diesel equipment that would be scrapped or recycled.
Prime Sponsor – Senator Carlyle (D; 36th District; Northwest Seattle)
Current status – Scheduled for a hearing in Ways and Means on Thursday February 17th at 4:00 PM.
Next step would be – Action by the committee.
Legislative tracking page for the bill.

In the Senate –
Had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology January 11th. Replaced by a substitute and passed out of committee January 20th. (The substitute would  convert the rebate for new equipment to a point of sale incentive, structured as a B&O credit on sales of discounted new equipment, limited to one item a year per customer. The credit would be limited to $50,000 per retailer, capped at $2 million altogether, and usable until the end of 2024.)

Summary –
The bill would establish a cash for clunkers pilot exchange program providing rebates for new all electric landscaping equipment, if funds were appropriated for that purpose. (It would be eligible for funding from the Climate Commitment Act – aka the cap and trade program.)

The program would cover edgers, trimmers, chainsaws, and pole saws; leaf blowers and vacuums; walk-behind mowers; ride-on or stand-ride mowers; additional batteries and chargers; and any other equipment approved by the Department of Ecology. Residents who turned in any operable gasoline or diesel landscaping equipment to be scrapped would be eligible for one rebate of $100 on any new piece of all electric equipment costing up to $300 including tax, or a rebate of $200 on a more expensive piece. Commercial landscapers could turn in up to three pieces and get up to three rebates.

The Department of Ecology would administer the program, and could coordinate doing that with local clean air agencies, or regional offices where a local clean air agency doesn’t exist. The department would be required to maintain a public list of retailers that agreed to take old gasoline or diesel equipment for recycling or disposal, and to track the effectiveness of the program by estimating emissions reductions from the exchanges.