Three California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) members have gone to the California State Capitol to testify in support of Senator Richard Polanco's leaf blower legislation-- Senate Bill 1651-- at a hearing of the Senate Business and Professions Committee.

Barbara Alvarez of San Dimas-based Golden State Landscaping Inc. , Doug Nakanura of San Jose-based Northwest Landscape Maintenance Co., and Mike Garcia of Redondo Beach-based Enviroscape each argued for the passage of SB1651, which provides for state regulation of leaf blowers, and pre-empts cities and counties from banning machines that operate at 65 decibels at less than 65 feet. Although the Business and Professions Committee voted 4-2 in favor of the bill, SB 1651 did not get out of the committee because five votes were needed from the nine-member body. The Business and Professions committee plans to consider the bill again.

On the same front, Alvarez, who as State Legislative Committee Chair, reported to CLCA, "As confirmed by Senator Polanco's office), the leaf blower fight is not over yet. Although SB 1651 is no longer alive, there has emerged a new bill on leaf blowers (again authored by Polanco). This new bill is SB14." This "common-sense," statewide Leaf Blower Bill would supersede the harsher, more restrictive local leaf blower ordinances such as that of the City of Los Angeles, CA. SB14 will now go to the Assembly Floor; if it passes there, it will go to a Senate Review Committee for review and vote; passing that, it will go to the Senate Floor; and if passed will be presented to Governor Wilson for his signature.