HF 3836

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to commerce; creating a tree care licensing and regulation task force;
requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin TREE CARE LICENSING AND REGULATION TASK FORCE.
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new text begin (a) A Tree Care Licensing and Regulation Task Force is created consisting of one
member of the senate appointed by the chair of the senate Committee on Agriculture,
Veterans and Gaming; one member of the house of representatives appointed by the
chair of the house Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development; the commissioner
of agriculture or the commissioner's designee; and 13 public members appointed by
the commissioner. The public members must be skilled in the knowledge, science, and
practice of tree care. Public members of the task force must serve without compensation
or reimbursement of personal expenses.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of agriculture must convene the first meeting of the task force
and must provide office support services to the task force as needed. The task force may
determine the date, location, and agenda of additional meetings.
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new text begin (c) The task force must review and make recommendations on at least the following
topics and practices:
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new text begin (1) the need for the licensing, education, and training of tree care professionals; and
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new text begin (2) the need for regulating employers offering tree care services or tree care
operations, including the establishment of insurance and solvency protection for the public.
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new text begin (d) On behalf of the task force, not later than February 15, 2007, the commissioner
of agriculture shall prepare and deliver to the standing agriculture policy committees of
the senate and the house of representatives a report and list of its recommendations. The
commissioner shall also comply with Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 3.197.
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new text begin (e) For purposes of this section:
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new text begin (1) "tree care services" means in regard to trees, pruning, removal, repair,
fertilization, cabling and bracing, lightning protection, consulting, diagnosis and treatment
of tree problems, management during site planning and site development, tree assessment
and risk management, and all other forms of general tree maintenance and care; and
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new text begin (2) "tree care operations" means in regard to trees, pruning, repairing, maintaining
and removal, brush cutting, and all other forms of general tree maintenance and care.
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new text begin (f) The task force expires June 30, 2007.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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