CT SB01003

Establishes a "municipal tree removal account" as a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund to be administered by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Creates a municipal tree removal grant program for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024 through June 30, 2028 to provide grants to municipalities for removing dead, dying, and hazardous trees, tree limbs, and tree branches from municipal property and municipal roads.

Requires the commissioner to establish grant application processes, eligibility criteria, a formula for determining grant amounts, and guidelines for acceptable expenditure of grant funds.

Requires grant recipients to file annual expenditure reports and refund any unspent grant amounts either at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant was awarded or if funds are not used in accordance with established guidelines.

Takes effect July 1, 2023.