CT HB05454

Establishes a task force to study the scope, need, and effects of the Department of Transportation's vegetation management program, including review of vegetation removal projects along state highways and limited access highways during the previous five-year period.

Task force shall document planned vegetation removal projects throughout the state for the next five-year period, including the scale, extent, and funding sources for each project.

Task force composition includes 9 members: two appointed by the House Speaker, two by the Senate President Pro Tempore, one each by House and Senate majority leaders, one each by House and Senate minority leaders, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, one appointed by the Governor, and the Commissioner of Transportation.

Initial appointments must be made within 30 days of the bill's effective date, with the first meeting to be held no later than 60 days after passage.

Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee on environment by January 1, 2021, at which point the task force shall terminate.