HB 882: Agriculture, Department of; regulation and licensing of tree care operators; provide

Georgia currently does not license tree care businesses the way it licenses some other trades. This bill would add a new section to the state code covering landscape architects and create a licensing system for 'tree care operators,' defined as anyone who is paid to prune, remove, cable, brace, or otherwise professionally work on trees using equipment like rigging, cranes, or aerial lifts, especially near utility lines or structures. Under the bill, it would become illegal to offer these services without a license from the Department of Agriculture. The department would set education, training, and exam requirements, safety standards, consumer protection rules like contracts and insurance, ethics standards, and a fee of up to $250 per license or renewal. The department could inspect operators, investigate complaints, and impose penalties for violations. The bill exempts utility line clearance contractors working for power companies and unpaid volunteers helping neighbors or storm victims.

• Makes it illegal in Georgia to provide paid tree care services, such as pruning or removal, without a license from the Department of Agriculture.
• Directs the department to create licensing rules covering education, training, and examination requirements for tree care operators.
• Authorizes the department to set safety standards, consumer protection rules (contracts, disclosures, insurance), and ethics standards for the industry.
• Caps license and renewal fees at $250 and lets the department suspend or revoke licenses for rule violations.
• Gives the department power to inspect operators, investigate complaints, and issue penalties or fines for unlicensed or noncompliant work.
• Exempts power company utility-line contractors and unpaid volunteers helping neighbors or storm victims from the licensing requirement.

Tree care businesses and arborists who charge for pruning, removal, cabling, or bracing work; the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which would run the new licensing program; homeowners and businesses who hire tree services; and utility companies whose line-clearance contractors are exempted.

Georgians hiring tree services would be dealing with state-licensed operators who meet safety and training standards, rather than an unregulated market. Tree care businesses would face new costs and requirements to keep operating legally, while unpaid neighbor-to-neighbor help after storms would remain allowed.

• New Code Section 43-23-20(a) defines 'tree care operator' and 'tree care services,' covering pruning, removal, cabling, bracing, and mechanized or aerial equipment work.
• Subsection (b) makes it unlawful to provide tree care services without a department-issued license and requires applicants to apply to the department.
• Subsection (c) lets the department set licensing, safety, consumer protection, ethics, and renewal rules, and caps fees at $250.00 per license.
• Subsection (d) gives the department authority to inspect, investigate complaints, and enforce compliance through penalties or fines.
• Subsection (e) subjects unlicensed operators to penalties set by the department.
• Subsection (f) exempts power company utility-line contractors and uncompensated volunteers helping neighbors or storm victims.

1. 2025-04-02House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-03-31House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-03-28House Hopper (House)

• David Huddleston (R, HD-72)Primary sponsor
• Victor Anderson (R, HD-10)
• Robert Dickey (R, HD-134)
• Marvin Lim (D, HD-98)
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-83)

• tree care licensing
• Department of Agriculture
• arborist regulation
• consumer protection
• occupational licensing