Raised Bill No. 5484 is an act concerning the development and revision of tree and vegetation management guidelines by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for maintenance and construction projects along state highways. The bill requires the DOT to create guidelines that balance the environmental impacts of such projects with measures to minimize those impacts, ensuring the safety of the traveling public, roadside vegetation management, beautification, visibility enhancement, and environmental considerations such as preventing invasive species growth, managing stormwater runoff, erosion, and improving pollinator habitats. The guidelines must comply with federal laws and regulations when federal funds are involved and do not apply to tree or vegetation removal necessary for public safety or during weather-related emergencies.

The bill stipulates that the Commissioner of Transportation must submit the guidelines to the relevant legislative committees within 30 days of the bill's effective date. The committees are then required to hold a public hearing and either approve or reject the guidelines within 30 days of receipt. If the committees do not act within this timeframe, the guidelines are deemed approved. If rejected, the guidelines must be revised and resubmitted within 30 days. The DOT is prohibited from removing trees or vegetation for projects until the guidelines are approved or deemed approved, except for safety or emergency reasons. The act is effective from passage and amends Section 13b-31h of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes.