Bill > H474

This bill has two key provisions: 1. It requires public utilities, state agencies, authorities, quasi-public agencies, and railroads that maintain rights-of-way through municipalities or water district properties to offer "no-spray" agreements to those municipalities or water districts. These agreements allow the municipality or water district to manage the vegetation in the right-of-way themselves or hire others to do so, rather than having the utility or agency apply pesticides. If an agreement cannot be reached within 60 days, the issues will be decided through arbitration. 2. It requires these entities to file vegetation management plans with affected municipalities and water districts, which must include the use of native species and consideration of local terrain and visual impacts. Municipalities and water districts have 30 days to comment on these plans, and public hearings must be held before the plans are approved every 4 years. The entities must also provide 60 days' notice to abutte rs and local officials before carrying out vegetation management activities, except in emergency situations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H474