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Senate committee backs narrower treble-damages standard for tree and timber losses
Summary
The Senate Industry and Business Committee voted to give a "do pass" recommendation to Senate Bill 2250, which narrows when treble (triple) damages can be awarded for injury to trees and timber, preserving treble damages for intentional or wanton conduct while limiting recovery to single damages for negligent harms.
Senate Bill 2250 received a do-pass recommendation from the Senate Industry and Business Committee after proponents told the panel the measure removes outdated phrasing and narrows treble damages for tree and timber loss to intentional or wanton conduct.
Senator Jerry Klein, District 14, opened the hearing and said the bill returns the law closer to ordinary property-damage remedies: "If you have a damage, it's damage. It should be just like you treat another accident or or issue on your property." The bill would remove older, unclear language and make treble damages available only where conduct rises to an intentional or reprehensible level.
John Ward, appearing…
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