(a) Not later than one year after appointment or reappointment as a tree warden, pursuant to section 23-58, such tree warden shall successfully complete coursework, as approved by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection. The minimum requirements for such coursework shall include: Tree biology, tree maintenance and pruning, urban forest management and tree laws. The commissioner may administer such coursework or may, in the commissioner's sole discretion, delegate responsibility to administer such coursework to a professional or educational organization capable of providing such training.

(b) In the event that a tree warden fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, such tree warden shall not be eligible for reappointment pursuant to section 23-58.

(c) Upon written request to the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection by the chief elected official of the municipality that appointed a tree warden, a six-month extension of time may be granted for the purpose of the completion of the coursework required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Each tree warden shall maintain a record of the completion of the coursework required pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and, upon request, furnish such records to the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, and the chief elected official of the municipality that appointed such tree warden.

(e) (1) Any tree warden who successfully completes the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut coursework prior to October 1, 2013, shall be deemed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to have successfully completed the coursework required by this section, provided not later than December 31, 2013, a duly authorized officer of the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut certifies to the commissioner and to the chief elected official of the municipality that appointed such tree warden, in writing, that such tree warden has successfully completed the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut coursework.

(2) The successful completion of the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut coursework prior to October 1, 2013, by a deputy tree warden appointed pursuant to section 23-58 shall be deemed by the commissioner to satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, provided not later than December 31, 2013, a duly authorized officer of the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut certifies to the commissioner and to the chief elected official of the municipality that appointed such deputy tree warden, in writing, that such deputy tree warden has successfully completed the Tree Wardens Association of Connecticut coursework.

(3) The requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any tree warden who: (A) Is an arborist licensed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or (B) appoints a deputy tree warden who successfully completes the coursework required by subsection (a) of this section, who meets the requirements of subdivision (2) of this subsection or who is an arborist licensed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.

(f) The commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, may charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs associated with the coursework required pursuant to this section. In the event a tree warden is a volunteer, the municipality that appointed such tree warden shall pay the cost of such required coursework.

(P.A. 13-203, S. 9.)