This bill amends the "Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators Licensing Act" to enhance enforcement and penalty provisions. It empowers the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts and the Department of Environmental Protection to take various actions in response to violations, including issuing compliance orders, initiating civil actions, levying civil administrative penalties, and pursuing civil penalties. The bill specifies that recourse to one remedy does not preclude the use of other remedies available under the law. Additionally, it outlines the process for the board to issue orders detailing the nature of the violation and the required compliance actions, as well as the rights of the violator to a hearing.

The bill establishes a civil administrative penalty structure, imposing fines of $1,000 for each violation and $2,500 for subsequent violations, with each day of continued violation counting as a separate offense. It mandates that violators be notified of the alleged violations and their rights before penalties are assessed. Furthermore, it allows for civil penalties of up to $1,000 for first violations and $2,500 for subsequent violations, with the potential for additional costs related to the violation. The bill also repeals a previous section of the act concerning the levying of fines, streamlining the enforcement process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 45:15C-29, 45:15C-28