New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has officially signed legislation A.2657A, which offers incentives to commercial lawn care companies to purchase electric mowers. The new law, which Rye resident and NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis (NY-91) originally presented to Hochul in March 2026, establishes a statewide rebate program to help local landscaping businesses switch to electric lawn equipment by reducing the cost of replacing gas-powered equipment.
“Thank you to Governor Hochul for supporting small businesses and institutions in transitioning to emission-free equipment that will improve air quality, public health and make purchase of new equipment more affordable for local contractors,” Otis said. “Senator [Liz] Krueger and I have worked with a broad coalition of over 100 environmental, public health, and business groups led by NYPIRG to support this rebate program that will help local businesses continue to serve their customers.”
This statewide decision comes just less than nine months after Rye City government announced a yearlong ban on gas-powered leaf blowers in February 2026. With this new state law in place, Rye landscaping businesses that previously relied on gas blowers will be able to spend less as part of their mandatory exchange.
The language of the bill does not mandate a specific number or percentage connected to the rebate, but previous reports indicated the savings may reach up to 70 percent per electric device. Rebates are provided at the point of sale and operate on a first-come, first-serve basis until the fund pool is exhausted.
The official summary of the new law reads as follows:
“[A.2657A] Establishes the electric landscaping equipment rebate program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce noise pollution by promoting the adoption of quieter, zero-emission landscaping equipment; provides for rebates at the point of sale for applicants purchasing or leasing certain equipment; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof.
“I will never stop fighting to clean up the air we breathe,” Governor Hochul said. “The rebate legislation I signed will encourage the purchase of cleaner and quieter battery-powered lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment that will benefit us all.”
