SB537:

Trees; replacement and conservation during development process, powers of local government.

Bill Summary:

Powers of local government; trees during development process; replacement and conservation. Prevents the prohibition or the unreasonable limitation of silvicultural activities related to the replacement of trees during the development process and the conservation of trees during the land development process in certain localities. The bill specifies provisions related to the replacement of trees during the development process in localities and allows that any locality may adopt an ordinance providing for the planting and replacement of trees during the development process. Further, the bill specifies provisions related to the conservation of trees during the development process in localities and allows that any locality may adopt an ordinance providing for the conservation of trees during the land development process. The bill directs specified stakeholders and parties to meet at least twice prior to the 2023 Session of the General Assembly to consider specified topics. The bill directs the participants to report their recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources by December 1, 2022. The provisions of the bill related to the conservation of trees during the development process do not become effective unless reenacted by the 2023 Session of the General Assembly.