Bill > HB07138

This bill establishes a legal framework for property owners' liability when a tree or tree limb falls onto an adjoining property. Specifically, a property owner can be held liable for removal expenses if an arborist (a tree expert) previously documented that the tree was diseased, decayed, or damaged and likely to fall within five years, and the adjoining property owner provided written notice by certified mail requesting the condition be addressed. The original property owner would then have 90 days to cure the condition (through removal, pruning, or other methods) or potentially be held responsible for removal costs if the tree subsequently falls. The bill includes important exceptions: property owners who are 64 or older and have below-median income will not be liable, and liability can be rebutted if an arborist later determines the tree was not at risk or if the tree fell due to external factors like lightning or vehicle collision. The law does not apply to certain types of property, including state-owned land, conservation easements, timberland, and farmland. The bill aims to create a clear process for addressing potentially hazardous trees while providing some protections for property owners, and is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Business and Industry, Justice

Judiciary Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07138&which_year=2025