WEST virginia Legislature

2017 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 2391

By Delegates Upson and Blair

[Introduced February 13, 2017; Referred
to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources then the Judiciary.]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia,1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §25-7-17, relating to establishing an arborists program for inmates; training; inspection of trees along state roads and highways.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §25-7-17, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 7. CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES ACT OF 2009.

§25-7-17. Arborist training program established; agency cooperation; tree inspection duties.

(a) The Division of Corrections shall establish an arborist training program for inmates. The Division of Forestry created under the provisions of article one-a, chapter nineteen of this code shall provide training materials and guidance to the Division of Corrections in the creating of this program.

(b) Inmates who have been trained as arborists shall be used to inspect trees along state roads and highways to determine whether they present a risk of falling onto the road or highway.  Any such trees shall be properly marked and then removed as resources permit.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to train inmates as arborists and use them to inspect trees along state roads and highways for those in danger of falling onto the roads and highways.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.