HARRISBURG, Penn. - A bill that would remove the sales tax from lawn care services recently passed the House of Representatives.

According to state Rep. Larry Curry (D-Montgomery), the bill would remove the sales and use tax from services for lawn upkeep, including fertilizing, mowing, shrubbery trimming or other lawn treatment services.

"I am appreciative of the Finance Committee moving the bill out of committee and for the support I had on the House floor," said Curry, who introduced the bill. "The current law made calculating the tax very difficult and it allowed for unfair competition. I also would like to thank Michelle Corbin of the Landscape and Nursery Association for her knowledge and clarification of this issue."

Curry noted that the bill would eliminate any unfairness resulting from so many youths not charging sales tax for cutting grass and trimming shrubbery.

"Unfortunately, the current regulations are difficult to understand and administer," said Allen R. Fidler III, president of the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association (PLNA). "In addition, there are still many lawn care providers outside of the association who are not in compliance with the law. This creates an uneven playing field and often times results in a loss of business for our members. Representative Curry has been a long supporter of the industry and we appreciate his efforts to have the tax repealed."