TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES RELATED TO FORESTRY; AND TO AMEND THE POWERS OF THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION.

SB 249 updates Arkansas forestry regulations by increasing civil penalties for violations related to forestry certification. It sets a maximum $5,000 civil penalty for individuals practicing forestry without a valid registration, falsely claiming certification, using expired credentials, or violating other registration rules. The bill also grants the Arkansas Forestry Commission new authority to create a structured penalty system for these violations. This directly affects forestry professionals, landowners who hire certified foresters, and anyone working in forestry-related roles requiring state registration. The changes strengthen enforcement of forestry licensing requirements without altering criminal penalties for violations.