HB 1030 Summary

• Increases administrative fines for destroying, damaging, or harvesting trees on state forest reserves to up to $10,000 or three times the market value (whichever is greater) per tree, plus restoration and habitat damage costs.

• Creates tiered administrative penalties: $2,500 for first violations, $5,000 for second violations within five years, and $10,000 for third or subsequent violations within five years.

• Establishes traffic infraction penalties for parking or traffic movement violations in forest reserves: $100 for first offense, $200 for second, and $500 for third or subsequent violations.

• Converts general violations of forest reserve rules to petty misdemeanor offenses with mandatory fines ($100 minimum for first offense, $500 for second within five years, $1,000 for third or subsequent within five years) and up to 30 days imprisonment.

• Permits simultaneous pursuit of both civil legal action for administrative fines and criminal prosecution for the same violation, and repeals the general penalty provision in section 183-4.