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Bill would require Commerce to draft a model urban‑forest ordinance, with grants for adoption

House Local Government Committee · January 21, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

HB 2267 directs the Department of Commerce to produce a model urban‑forest ordinance and grant program to help local governments prioritize avoiding tree removal, minimizing impacts and mitigating losses. Environmental groups supported the model; builders warned grants‑linked adoption could become effectively mandatory.

Lawmakers heard House Bill 2,267 on Nov. 25, which would direct the Department of Commerce to develop a model urban forest management ordinance by July 1, 2028, provide guidance updated every 10 years, and operate a grant program for jurisdictions that substantially adopt the model.

Staffer Kellen Wright told the committee the model ordinance would prioritize avoiding tree removal first, then minimizing impacts and finally mitigating loss through tools such as tree banks and…

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