Dear TCIA Member,
Proposed changes to the Licensed Tree Expert Law, SB 120, will be heard in the Senate Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 1:00 pm. TCIA urges you to weigh in on this proposed rule that in our opinion would severely undermine the effectiveness of Maryland ’s Tree Expert License Law.
SB 120 extends the deadline for amnesty from the LTE exam from May 31 until December 31. More significantly, it allows any sole proprietor to be licensed without any documented work experience, education or proof of having run a business. Instead, the applicant will be allowed to submit four notarized affidavits from customers within the past three years, attesting to their, “…professional and satisfactory work as a tree expert.”
You can read the exact wording of the proposed legislation at the following link: http://mlis.state.md.us/2007RS/billfile/sb0120.htm
If you intend to testify, you need to sign up one hour before the hearing starts (sign up by Noon ). If you intend to submit material for consideration, please contact committee staff ((410) 841-3661) for the required number of copies.
The bill sponsor, Sen. Munson (R-2 Washington County; http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/msa12155.html) is not on the committee.
A list of Committee members is available at: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/com/02eco.html
To find your elected officials, go to: http://mdelect.net/
To send your elected official an email, go to: http://www.mlis.state.md.us/cgi-win/mail32.exe
Communication to your elected officials is worthwhile particularly if your Senator sits on the Committee.
Maryland DNR has already submitted a bill report opposing the bill, because in their words, “If this bill passes, it would be the end of the tree expert licensing program as we know it.”
Please contact TCIA if you require further information or assistance with formulating your response to your elected representative.
EAB ALERT
The Maryland Department of Agriculture will be sending out a bid notice in the very near future for removal of ash trees in Prince George's County as part of our EAB containment plan. The bid will require a concentrated work effort; approx, 2000 - 3000 trees must be removed between bid award and April 1, 2007 as the trees have to come out before emergence, flight, and expansion of the impact area. Notice will be mailed to all MD LTEs in the near future.
