CT HB05873

Requires railroad companies to provide notice to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and municipal chief elected officials at least 21 days before making pesticide applications to rights-of-way.

Mandates railroad companies file annual vegetation management plans by February 1st identifying target vegetation and management methods for the calendar year with the state department and affected municipalities.

Requires municipalities to post received vegetation management plans on their websites within 30 days and allows municipalities to hold public hearings on the plans.

Removes railroad companies from the exemption that previously allowed pesticide applications to rights-of-way without notice requirements, while maintaining exemptions for state and municipal governments and electric public service companies.

Establishes a penalty of not more than $90 for violations of these provisions, effective October 1, 2017.