Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee advances bills on forester penalties, home gardens, surveying and testing rules

At a meeting of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee, senators advanced a package of Agriculture Department and related bills affecting foresters, home gardening, surveying standards, pesticide applicator testing and several agency housekeeping items.

The committee approved a measure to give the Arkansas Forestry Commission an intermediate civil penalty for people who “hold themselves out” to be registered foresters but are not. Under Senate Bill 249, the commission may fine violators—up to $5,000—before pursuing criminal charges that can include a Class A misdemeanor. Kyle Cunningham, State Forester at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, told the committee the maximum is intended to align the forestry division with other Department of Agriculture divisions and said, “I don't foresee us ever having to go there. It's really to keep us in line with other divisions in the Department of Ag.” Committee members said they expect most penalties, if ever used, to be smaller.

The committee also approved a bill that limits local restrictions on residential vegetable gardens. Representative Vaught described the change as aimed at allowing people to grow food “no matter where they live.” During public comment, Libby Dugan, who identified herself as president of the Pulaski County FSA committee and a Pulaski County farm and ranch operator, asked whether the measure related to federal programs; a committee member replied it did not, and said, “All this does is allow it — it prevents the city or county from…