2025 -- H 6405

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LC002979

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- PROTECTION OF TREES AND

PLANTS GENERALLY

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Slater, Fogarty, McNamara, Batista, Diaz,
Sanchez, and Bennett

     Date Introduced: June 11, 2025

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Legislative findings.

     (1) Trees filter pollutants from the air and water, improving air and water quality.

     (2) Trees provide shade, which helps cool down urban areas and reduce the "urban heat

island effect."

     (3) Trees store carbon, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate

change.

     (4) Trees improve soil water retention, and reduce the risk of flooding by absorbing excess

rainfall.

     (5) Trees can reduce energy costs for cooling buildings by providing shade and reducing

the need for air conditioning.

     (6) Trees also provide social benefits, including public health, wildlife habitat and

community wellbeing.

     SECTION 2. Section 2-15-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 2-15 entitled "Protection of

Trees and Plants Generally" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     2-15-11. Penalty for violations of §§ 2-15-6, 2-15-8, 2-15-9, and 2-15-10.

     (a) Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of §§ 2-15-6, 2-15-8, 2-15-9,

or 2-15-10, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) two hundred

dollars ($200) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each

offense.

     (b) The director of the department of environmental management has the authority to order

anyone convicted of violating § 2-15-8 or any governmental entity which the director determines

violated § 2-15-8 to plant a replacement tree or trees, the sum of the diameters of which are equal

to twice three (3) times that removed or damaged, in the immediate vicinity of the tree removed.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- PROTECTION OF TREES AND

PLANTS GENERALLY

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     This act would increase the maximum penalty for certain violations related to the cutting,

removal, damage by injurious liquids or gases to trees, plants and shrubs on any public highway or

public land under the jurisdiction of state agencies from five hundred dollars ($500) to one thousand

dollars ($1,000). It would also require that any replacement tree be equal to three (3) times the

diameter of the tree that was removed.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002979

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