Bill > S3906

This bill revises the "Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act" to provide more comprehensive enforcement and penalty provisions for violations of the law. The bill expands the authority of the board and the Department of Environmental Protection to take action against individuals or businesses that violate the law, offering multiple enforcement mechanisms. These include issuing compliance orders, bringing civil actions in court, levying administrative penalties, and seeking court-ordered penalties. Specifically, the bill allows the board to issue orders that can deny, suspend, or revoke licenses, and imposes civil administrative penalties of $1,000 for a first violation and $2,500 for subsequent violations. The bill also authorizes the board or the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to pursue civil actions in court, which can result in injunctions, cost assessments, compensatory damages, and site restoration requirements. Additionally, the bill provides a structured process for notifying violators, offering hearings, and establishing a clear framework for addressing and penalizing infractions related to tree expert and tree care operator regulations.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3906